Cortney Strohacker, New DCCVB Executive Director

DeKalb County Convention and Vistors Bureau (DCCVB) Board of Directors have appointed Cortney Strohacker as the new Executive Director of the DeKalb County CVB. Ms. Strohacke is the current Executive Director of the Genoa (IL) Chamber of Commerce.

Her position with the Geona Chamber was to enhance the growth, image, and development of the business community and the greater Genoa area. She was required to facilitate the Chamber’s mission and grow the membership while enhancing the activities within the City.

“Cortney’s skills and professional background make her the perfect candidate for the DeKalb County CVB,” said Brad Hoey, President of the DCCVB Board of Directors. “Her history of working in the marketing and advertising industry along with business management background will allow her to step into her new role very quickly.”

“Adding a professional from the northern part of DeKalb County will enhance the exposure to an area that the CVB sees as a great potential tourism destination,” said Vicki Torres, General Manager of Red Roof Inn and DCCVB Board Member.

“Mrs. Strohacker will fill a five-month void in the DeKalb County CVB and has the professional background to jump into the new role“, said Michael Embrey, International Tourism Professional and DeKalb County CVB Board member. The previous Executive Director Debbie Armstrong retired in March 2019 and the role has been filled by two interim directors. The first interim director Erin Reynolds was the CVB’s administrative clerk who was recruited in August by the Sycamore Chamber to fill a similar role. The current interim Director is Bonnie Heinbach, a well-known tourism professional who came out of retirement to assist the local Convention and Visitor Bureau until a new executive director was appointed.

Previous to working with the Geona Chamber Courtney Strohacker worked as an Administrative Assistant for the Crossroads Community Church. Prior to that, she was a para-professional with the Sycamore School District 427.

She attended Northern Illinois University with studies in Early Childhood Development. Courtney is married to Heath Stocker and makes her home in Kingston, Illinois.

Acting interim Executive Director Bonnie Wilkinson Heimbach will stay on during the transition to advise and assist the new team.

To learn more about the DeKalb County Convention and Vistors Bureau (DCCVB) please call 815-756-1336.