Contact

Board of Directors

Kate Fox – DNE Board Chair 
Executive Director, Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

Carolann Ouelette – DNE Vice Chair and Treasurer
Director, Maine Office of Tourism

Rachel Lenda – DNE Secretary
Director of Tourism, Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development

Officers:

Mark Brodeur
International Tourism and Group Sales Director, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation

Heather Pelham
Commissioner, Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing

Lori Harnois
Director, New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development

Executive Director

Michele Cota
mcota@discovernewengland.org

Cota was named executive director in April of 2022.

Cota brings 17 years of business and tourism experience to Discover New England, including extensive work with both state and federal programs. Her most recent position was with the New Hampshire Office of U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, where she oversaw business, economic development, workforce and broadband policy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cota worked extensively communicating with the business community and municipal leaders.

Prior to 2019, Cota had 13 years of experience working for the New Hampshire Division of Travel & Tourism Development in various capacities and was recognized as the 2012 New Hampshire Travel Council’s Mildred Beach Travel Person of the Year, an award presented to an individual who has made significant and personal contributions to the travel industry’s advancement during the previous year. During her time with the Division of Travel & Tourism Development, she served as Trade Relations Manager, responsible for international strategy and partnership, as well as domestic trade marketing.

Director of Product and Sales

Kerrie Tripp
ktripp@discovernewengland.org

Tripp was named director of sales in January of 2023.

Tripp has nearly 20 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry and brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to her role. Her most recent position was the tourism and hospitality marketing director for Sutherland Weston Marketing Communications in Bangor, Maine, where she worked to grow a division dedicated to the tourism industry. Previously, she was the executive director for the Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau for 15 years where she managed partnerships with programs in Maine and Atlantic Canada, and represented Greater Bangor, The Maine Highlands, and New England at various trade and industry events.

FAM & Content Manager

Jo Sabel Courtney
jscourtney@discovernewengland.org 

Jo has lived in Stowe, Vermont, since 1990, and previously lived in Boston and Newport, Rhode Island. Her familiarity with Discover New England is extensive: As former International Marketing and PR Manager for Destination Marketing Organization, Stowe Area Association, she participated in sales missions and consumer shows in England, Ireland, Germany, Scotland and France, and participated, volunteered or worked at DNE Summits from 2001-2013. Also, in her travelogue are five IcelandAir Mid-Atlantic Summits to further the Stowe, Vermont, and New England brands.

No stranger to the organization of press and trade familiarization tours for Stowe, she partnered with both Discover New England and Vermont Tourism to assemble and host many more.

Community involvement is vitally important to her, and she currently serves on the board of the Stowe Selectboard.

Tourism and the arts have always been in her wheelhouse and international tourism has her heart. The people she’s met and the life-long friends she’s made and the destinations she’s experienced are all cherished. “Travel is life; let’s cross borders.”