NATCHEZ — The City of Natchez has appointed 13 professionals to serve on a committee to lead the search for a new director of the Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The director will replace Connie Taunton, who retired April 1.

Mayor Butch Brown appointed the committee, which includes three “resource professionals” to help guide and advise the hiring process.

The resource professionals are CVB Interim Director Creda Stewart, consultant Berkeley Young and Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division Director Malcolm White.

The committee, of which Brown is a member, is comprised of the following professionals:

• Chairman Walter Tipton, director of the Natchez Convention Center and manager of the Grand Hotel.

• David Paradise, owner of Paradise Companies, which manages 83 franchise restaurants across the country.

• Natchez-Adams Chamber of Commerce President Debbie Hudson.

• Tourism Marketing Advisory Committee member Wayne Potter.

• CVB board chairman Robert McNeely.

• Local chef, author and Twin Oaks owner Regina Charboneau.

• Natchez National Historical Park Superintendent Kathleen Jenkins.

• Dunleith and Bowie’s Tavern General Manager John Holyoak.

• Emmy award-winning film and television producer Jennifer Ogden Combs.

Tipton said the committee could meet as early as next week to discuss a timeline for the application period, as well as interview questions.

The committee will also likely set a salary range for the position at some point, Tipton said.

Taunton’s salary was $55,000 plus benefits.

Tipton, who served as CVB director for eight years, said he believes marketing and budgeting experience will be top considerations when evaluating candidates.

“Clearly, expertise in advertising and marketing a community is the No. 1 goal that this person has to be able to meet,” Tipton said. “And then after that, of course, experience working with budgets and government funding would be a high priority.”

Tipton said the committee will likely vet applicants and narrow the search to three candidates who will be interviewed.