During the Fort Scott City Commission meeting Tuesday evening, the city introduced the new tourism manager, Larry Gazaway.

Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said Gazaway, known as “The Voice of Fort Scott” through his local broadcasting career, described himself as a passionate person about arts and sports with extensive knowledge about the city and the county.

“We would be really hard-pressed to find anyone to match his skill set as well as his determination and knowledge for the county and city,” Pruitt said, adding he brings marketing experience as well. “We look forward to him being the voice of tourism and the face of Fort Scott, to lead us in a very important endeavor for the city.”

“I’m excited,” Gazaway said. “I just made one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make—leaving a job that I love, one that I had a great passion for—but I look forward to taking the passion that I have for this town, this community, and getting to market that to a very much larger area and hopefully bring some excitement to that.”

City Manager Dave Martin said Gazaway has a good relationship with the Fort Scott Area of Commerce and said he is a welcome addition to the city staff.

“Thank you very much for the opportunity and I promise I won’t disappoint you,” Gazaway said.

In recent months, the city leaders made the decision to move the tourism department away from the chamber of commerce and put it under the city’s direction. Gazaway is expected to begin working in the newly created position April 17, and is expected to move to an office at the chamber building after completing training at city hall.