Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism announces the recent hire of two new employees. Katie Pessl is the new Communications Coordinator at Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism. This recently created position is responsible for supporting the Marketing Director and President & CEO. Katie is a WWU graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications and Recreation Travel and Tourism. Prior to joining the Bureau's staff, she was the Executive Assistant for the EVP at Faithlife in Bellingham. She has also served as the Executive Assistant at Whatcom Business Alliance. Raised and living in Whatcom County, Katie enjoys spending time with her extended family and friends; has a passion for cooking, hitting par on the scenic golf courses in the county, skiing at Mt. Baker and exploring the coastlines of Cherry and Sandy Point. As a local, she has a love for Whatcom County that fuels her desire to promote the area to locals and visitors alike. Eric Rainaud-Hinds is the new Sports Development Coordinator at Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism. The new position is responsible for generating hotel room nights through event sales and marketing, with a focus on bringing new and repeat sports-related business to Bellingham and Whatcom County. Prior to joining the staff, Eric was a special project assistant at Skagit Valley College, and was the Burlington, WA District Track and Cross-Country Coach. He has extensive sales, marketing, and hospitality industry experience. When not cheering on his three children in school/club sports with his wife or coaching track/cross-country, he can be found playing organized or pick-up basketball; holding serve in a racquetball court; striking a golf ball into the woods near Lake Padden; tubing on the waters of Lake Samish; carving up Mount Baker on a snowboard; or hiking any of the scenic trails Whatcom County's backyard has to offer. Eric is a recent WSU graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences with Presidential Honors.
