Jim Garrett, who has been president and chief executive of a Southland tourism bureau since 1996, is retiring at the end of June. The longtime president and chief executive officer of a group working to boost tourism in the south and southwest suburbs will retire at the end of June.
Garrett, a Frankfort resident, notified the group’s board of directors during its quarterly meeting last month. Visit Chicago Southland said it is narrowing the list of candidates to replace Garrett and will announce a new president and CEO next month. He and his wife, Peggy, have three children and seven grandchildren, and retirement will afford them the time to visit with their family and travel.
“The facility is going to be incredible,” Garrett said. “It will be a major destination driver for our region.” Garrett said the tourism agency has operated an information kiosk at the oasis for 25 years, and is going to install a new tourist information center there.