Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Green.
Barbara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
What started my career in hospitality was not exactly planned; it was pure serendipity. I spent several years working as a credit manager for a popular furniture company until it filed for bankruptcy and sold its stores. At the time, my children were young, and like many working parents, I was balancing family life with a full-time career. When the company closed, it was both a shock and a turning point — the moment I realized it was time to try something new.
A former coworker who had joined a local hotel mentioned an opening in sales and encouraged me to apply. I interviewed for the position, but the salary was not enough to justify the daily drive from Tarboro to Rocky Mount. Fortunately, that interview took place in a public restaurant, and as luck would have it, the general manager of another local hotel happened to be there.
His property was a sister hotel to the one where I had interviewed, so he knew how to reach me afterward. A few days later, he called to say he had watched my interview and wanted me to come in for a position at his hotel. He hired me on the spot. When I asked why, since I had no hotel experience, he said, “Because you smiled through the entire interview. I can train the job, but I can’t train that.” That moment launched my hospitality career.
I began in sales and, over the next eight years, advanced from Sales Manager to Director of Sales and Marketing. When the hotel was sold during the mid-2000s economic downturn, many longtime employees, including myself, were affected by restructuring. It was a challenging chapter, but it ultimately pushed me to pivot into marketing, which proved to be an invaluable next step.
I joined a marketing firm where I built on the relationship skills I had developed in hospitality, but in a completely different environment. The pace was faster, the sales cycle shorter, and I quickly learned how to communicate strategically and close deals efficiently.
One of my clients happened to be a hotel in Rocky Mount, and after several successful collaborations, the owner offered me a position in sales, which later grew into a General Manager role. Taking that opportunity meant I could work closer to home while continuing to grow professionally — the perfect next chapter.
After about three years, that hotel was donated to a local college, which led me to my next opportunity. I applied for a position with Nash County Travel and Tourism and was hired. That was in 2016, and I have been proudly promoting Nash County and Rocky Mount ever since, helping others discover what makes this community such a special place to visit, live, and belong.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think anyone’s road is ever completely smooth, and mine certainly hasn’t been. Every chapter has come with its share of challenges — but also opportunities to grow.
In hospitality and tourism, you learn early on that no two days are ever the same. There have been ownership changes, budget cuts, economic downturns, and of course, the pandemic — all of which test your creativity and patience. But I’ve always believed in adapting instead of resisting. When one door closes, another one really does open — sometimes in a direction you never planned for.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that people and relationships are at the heart of everything. Whether it’s hotel guests, business clients, or community partners, how you treat people matters. That same principle carried me through every role I’ve had.
Even the difficult seasons ended up preparing me for my current role. Tourism requires a balance of vision, data, and heart — and I don’t think I’d have that mix without all those years of learning how to sell, market, and serve.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What I love most about my work is that it’s not just about tourism — it’s about people. As the Executive Director of Nash County Travel & Tourism, I get to share the story of our community and help others see the value of what makes it special. When I worked in hotels, I helped fill rooms and boost the local economy by bringing in groups that spent money at restaurants, attractions, and shops. Now, I get to take that same spirit of hospitality and apply it on a county-wide level.
I specialize in destination marketing and tourism development — combining creativity, strategy, and community collaboration to grow our visitor economy. My background in both hospitality and marketing helps me see tourism from every angle: the business side, the visitor experience, and the local impact. I’m known for being both relationship-driven and data-minded — someone who can connect people while also measuring the results that matter.
One of the most rewarding parts of my job is working with local entrepreneurs. Many have poured their last dime — and all their heart — into starting a business. They don’t always have the marketing budget or experience to reach people, and that’s where my team and I can truly make a difference. We help make their businesses easier to find, tell their stories in meaningful ways, and connect them with both visitors and residents. Those are the people I love working with most, because they represent the true heart of Nash County.
We work hand in hand with local leaders, Visit NC, and community partners — from hotels and restaurants to shops, attractions, and event venues — to keep Nash County growing and welcoming. Together, we’re constantly finding new ways to bring visitors here, support our small businesses, and strengthen our local economy. This isn’t a nine-to-five job; tourism doesn’t clock out at 5:00. Whether it’s working with sports planners on large-scale tournaments, greeting new visitors, or helping a small business owner find their audience, every day is about connecting people and possibilities.
What I’m most proud of is seeing how far our destination has come — from growing our visibility and digital presence to earning state and regional recognition for our work. But more than that, I’m proud that our efforts have made a real difference for the people who call this place home.
What sets us apart is our authenticity. We don’t have to manufacture experiences here — they already exist in our people, our stories, and our sense of community. My job is simply to shine a light on it.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My best advice is to stay curious and open to learning from everyone you meet. A mentor doesn’t always have to be a formal relationship — sometimes it’s the person who challenges you, encourages you, or even shows you what not to do. I’ve learned as much from observing good leaders as I have from navigating tough situations.
After COVID, the environment around us changed — not just in tourism, but in the way we connect, communicate, and work day to day. That shift reminded me how important it is to keep growing, so I went back to school and earned my Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Balancing work and school taught me as much about adaptability and discipline as it did about strategy and storytelling. It also reinforced something I’ve always believed — that learning never really stops.
That belief carries into how I approach networking. For me, it has always been about genuine connection, not collecting business cards. People can tell when you’re sincerely interested in them. Listen more than you talk, and when you do talk, make it count. Be willing to show up — for events, meetings, and even for others’ success. Consistency builds trust, and trust builds networks.
What’s worked best for me is leading with kindness and follow-through. I try to help others when I can — whether that’s connecting someone with a resource, offering advice, or just cheering them on. In tourism, relationships are everything. The connections you make today can turn into opportunities years down the road, often when you least expect it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.explorenashcounty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explorenashcounty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Explore.Nash.County
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/nashcountytravelandtourism7508
