Tourism Council

Meet the Staff

Below is a list of Tourism Council staff members with email addresses. You may contact staff directly, call our office at 401-724-2200, or send a general email. You may also use our online contact form to request information, volunteer, or provide financial support.

Robert Billington bob@tourblackstone.com bvri@aol.com President	Bob grew up in the Blackstone Valley. He founded the Tourism Council and has always been an entrepreneur. He takes special pride bringing tourism to America’s first industrialized valley. He has always had an interest in riverfront development bringing a British Canal boat and British Double Decker bus to the Valley. His interest in community development, job creation, pride of place and education have all come together under the non-profit agency that he has lead for the past 20 years.
Natalie Carter natalie@tourblackstone.com Director of Operations	Natalie is the Director of Operations. She insures that the business operations of the office and its staff runs smoothly. She is also a grant writer for tourism projects. Natalie is also the Co–chair of the Blackstone Valley and Amber Valley compact, which maintains international relationships with the Amber Valley in England.
Lilly Kayamba BVTCLilly@aol.com Market Analyst Group Tour Manager/ Elderhostel Administrator	Lilly is our group tour manager, designing and promoting group tours of the Blackstone Valley to tour operators all over the United States. Lilly also develops and administrator’s Rhode Island history, art and cultural programs for Elderhostel, the nations first and the world’s largest, travel and education organization for adults 55 and older.
Donna Houle donna@tourblackstone.com Special Projects Manager	Donna is the manager of Blackstone Valley Scenic Railway Tours, operating narrated train tours of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor for the past 17 years. Donna is involved in several special programs throughout the year. Manages the Council’s Visual Library and is co-chairman of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council Annual Meeting and Auction.
Amanda Wood amanda@tourblackstone.com Office Manager/ Translator	Amanda is the Office Manager of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council. Among Amanda’s many responsibilities she is our Spanish translator, coordinator of the Rhode Island Chinese dragon boat race and festival, and manager of the British Double Decker Bus and trolley. Amanda is also the manager for the Samuel Slater Canal Boat and handles all reservations for the Samuel Slater Bed & Breakfast as well as the British Tea Tours.
Olon Reeder olon@tourblackstone.com Public Affairs / Intergovernmental Relations	President / CEO of Reeder Associates, Olon works on location representing Tourism Council interests. Reeder Associates has been representing the Tourism Council since October 1992 dealing with media relations; promoting and publishing the region’s social, cultural, historic and recreational events and activities; developing Tourism Council public relations strategy and related activities.
Ramon Rodriguez info@tourblackstone.com River Engineer	Ramon wears many hats at the Tourism Council. He works as crew on the Blackstone Valley Explorer and as a captain on the Samuel Slater Canal Boat. He also maintains and repairs the boats and bus. Ramon also helps in the step up of all projects and events that the council holds.
Patricia McAlpine patti@tourblackstone.com Blackstone River Education Coordinator	Patricia coordinates all programs on the Blackstone Valley Explorer including the River Classrooms, Senior Groups, as well as working as the site coordinator for the Summer and Fall Public Tour Programs on the River.   She also assists in a variety of other capacities including marketing and public relations and special events.
Kristin Zawistowski kristin@tourblackstone.com Keep America Beautiful Coordinator	Kristin is serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer implementing the Keep America Beautiful program in the cities and towns of the Blackstone Valley. Before her service, she helped out part time working on a number of different projects.
Lesley McLaughlin Lesley@tourblackstone.com Program Assistant	Lesley provides administrative & marketing support on a variety of projects including the Canoe trail, Travel Experiences and Tour Rhode Island.
Visitor Center
Wendy Jencks wendy@tourblackstone.com Visitor Center Manager	Wendy is the Manager of the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center. She works on many visitor center projects. She also coordinates celebrations that are held here in the visitor center. Wendy is also in charge of distributing informational materials out into the valley.

HOME | About Us | About the Valley | Education | Info/Tours | Lodging | Events | Support the Valley | News | Site Directory

Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, On the banks of the Blackstone, 175 Main Street, Pawtucket, Rhode Island  02860 
1-800-454-BVTC (2882)  Local: 401-724-2200 Fax: 401-724-1342 info@tourblackstone.com