Katie Bishop Williams serves as the Executive Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) of Dunwoody in Dunwoody, Ga., where she has been responsible for growing and leading the organization since its formation in November 2009. In her role, Williams leads the marketing and sales strategy and collaborates with community partners to further develop the economic development and marketing strategy for tourism. Prior to joining the CVB of Dunwoody, Williams served as Tourism Coordinator for Destination Thomasville Tourism Authority in Thomasville, Ga. A native of Marietta, Ga., she attended the University of Georgia where she received a degree in Public Relations. Additionally, is certified as a Travel Marketing Professional by Southeast Tourism Society. Williams serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus. In 2015, she was named a “30 Under 30” tourism professional by Destination Marketing Association International. Williams resides in Roswell with her husband Scott Williams and twin babies.
Since 2011, Alan Mothner has served as the Executive Director of the Dunwoody Nature Center, preceded by six years on the Center’s board, including two years as the board president. Alan is responsible for the long term strategic vision of the Dunwoody Nature Center, an environmental education based non-profit and 22 acre park located in the heart of Dunwoody, GA. As Executive Director, Alan guides the strategic growth and development of the Center including long-term vision, strategy and planning, fundraising, grant writing, marketing, managing corporate partnerships, as well as board recruitment and development. Alan serves as the public face and voice of the Nature Center in the community, before political leaders and with other like-minded environmental organizations. Under his leadership as Executive Director, the Nature Center has demonstrated substantial grown in recent years with over 17,000 annual program participants and the re-emergence of widely regarded community programs including the Butterfly Festival, Concerts in the Park series and many other free community events such as public art, theater in the park, and numerous seasonal activities. As part of the Nature Center’s mission to preserve and enhance the 22 acres of Dunwoody Park, Alan has overseen several grounds improvements including a restoration of Wildcat Creek and the creation of a rain garden storm water system in the center’s main meadow area – both via funds received from federal grants. Additional capital facility improvement projects include the addition of an outdoor screened-in porch and deck, public playground, restroom building, an ADA compliant front entry plaza, and the recently completed North Woods Pavilion. During the same time, community support for the Nature Center has flourished; with membership increasing four fold, civic engagement reaching over 10,000 volunteer hours, and the doubling of the Nature Center’s annual budget through year over year growth in both earned and donated income streams. As director, Alan ensures that the staff and board maintain a shared vision of excellence by focusing on exceptional visitor experiences, community engagement and level of service. Alan is actively involved in the Dunwoody community and currently serves on several boards including the Design Review Advisory Committee, the Dunwoody Arts Steering Committee, and the Dunwoody High School Cross Country Booster Club. He and his wife have lived in Dunwoody for 15 years with their two children and are neighbors to the Nature Center (which makes for a great commute!). Outside of work, Alan and his family enjoy spending time at their cabin in North Georgia and cheering on the Braves. Prior to his involvement with the Nature Center, Alan worked in advertising and marketing before entering a career in photojournalism and photography. He ran the city news desk for the Associated Press’ Atlanta Bureau during the 1996 Olympics and covered local and national news and sporting events. An accomplished photographer, Alan’s work is represented in numerous public and private collections. Alan holds a B.A. in sociology from Duke University.
Learn more about Dunwoody Arts and Culture Month here.
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Emily Capps is a 20+ veteran copywriter trained by one of David Ogilvy’s righthand men. She is the author of Estelle Burke’s 1930s Social Media Story on Instagram. The story of a Jewish lesbian entertainer in the time of Hitler, Stonewall, and Vaudeville that garnered up to 19% engagement and follows by Dita Von Teese and others. No paid search needed. She has been a front-end Content Strategist for ten years and back-end for four.
