After 16 years, Burke leaves the board of the Vicksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau
Posted 4:25 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Lori Burke dedicated her time and talents to the board of the Vicksburg Convention & Visitors Bureau and now, after 16 years, she is stepping down.
“Now that my career has changed, I thought it would be a great opportunity for the council to bring in someone else with new tourism and marketing ideas,” Burke said.
For over 25 years, Burke was the public relations manager at Ameristar Casino. She now works at ERDCWERX.
During her tenure on the board, during which Burke served as chair for two years, VCVB executive director Laura Beth Strickland said Burke’s experience has been invaluable to new members.
“She was instrumental in mentoring each of us as we came along,” Strickland said.
Strickland was appointed executive director of the VCVB in 2019 following Bill Seratt, who had held the position for more than 12 years.
“Lori’s service to the VCVB and Vicksburg’s tourism industry has been exemplary,” Seratt said. “I couldn’t think of a better choice for a VCVB board member. She was superior and always there to look after every stakeholder in the industry and bring more attention to the market. Lori was never there to serve herself or her direct employees, she was always, always looking out for everyone’s best interests and always with a very gracious and warm smile on her face.
Burke praised Seratt.
“I think we had an amazing team starting with Bill and I loved seeing Laura Beth grow into her position with her grooming,” Burke said.
The tourism industry evolved while Burke served on the board, and she said she enjoyed seeing the progress firsthand.
“We used to do all these mass mailings and now it’s all about social media and posting,” Burke said. “Just watching the transition of tourism over these 16 years has been amazing.”
Burke said she would like to thank the VCVB team and their efforts to work with the council.
“They have built incredible relationships with the board and with all the tourist facilities in town,” she said.
Burke also thanked the administration for giving him the opportunity to serve on the VCVB board.
“I appreciate that the mayor believed in me to serve on council for so many years,” she said.
The city of Vicksburg nominated Lynn Foley to serve as Burke’s board of directors.
“Words can’t even begin to express the value Lori Burke has brought to the Visit Vicksburg Board of Directors over the past 16 years,” said VCVB Board Member Bess Averett. “Not only does she have a brilliant mind for advertising and marketing, but she has a passion for the Vicksburg community matched by few others. Everyone is busy and she is no different, but she has always given priority to giving back, volunteering and sharing her talents for the benefit of the rest of us. She will be missed.
“Lori is still the biggest cheerleader in Vicksburg and tourism,” Strickland said. “I think she cares so much about Vicksburg and our industry and wants us to be the best we can be. I don’t think we would be where we are without his leadership.
About Terri Cowart Frazier
Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Soon after, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter for the Vicksburg Post and editor of Vicksburg Living Magazine, which was awarded first place by the Mississippi Press Association. She was also the recipient of a first place award in the editorial division of the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest for “Best Feature Article”.
Terri is a graduate of Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a major in public relations.
Before coming to work at the Post just over 10 years ago, she freelanced at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay-at-home mom.
Terri is a member of Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a life member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and was a member of the Sampler Antique Club and the Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.
“Whether it’s staying informed about local government issues or hearing the stories of local residents, a local newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at the Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I can continue to grow and hone my skills by helping to share the stories in Vicksburg. When people ask me what I love most about my job, my answer is always “the people”.
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