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“Each year during our Travel Rally celebration, the Wilmington and Beaches CVB celebrates the travel industry and salutes local tourism employees. We are deeply grateful for all that our dedicated industry partners do each day to make Wilmington and our island beaches the best of the Carolina coast,” states Kim Hufham. “This year’s Jane Peterson Tourism Legacy Award honoree is Bob Rippy, owner of Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park. Due to a record number of Tourism Star nominations, this year the CVB presented 2024 Tourism Star awards to three deserving recipients: Barbara Parker (director of housekeeping for The Lighthouse at Kure Beach); Davin Coutu (bartender/front-of-house team leader for The Oceanic at Wrightsville Beach); and Amanda Leese (owner/operator/tour guide of Wilmington Walking Tours).”

Tourism Star Awards

Established in 2017, the Tourism Star award recognizes hospitality and tourism industry professionals who demonstrate pride and commitment to the hospitality industry and exemplify a selfless spirit of service and leadership that enhances the visitor experience. Each of the 2024 Tourism Stars are exemplary hospitality professionals:

Barbara Parker, Director of Housekeeping for The Lighthouse at Kure Beach is a native of Virginia who has worked in New Hanover County’s hospitality industry for the past 7 years at beach vacation rentals and small lodging properties. During the three years she has worked at The Lighthouse at Kure Beach, numerous guests have left handwritten notes to personally thank Barbara not only for a clean and well-stocked room, but also for her kindness, happy disposition, smiles, special attention, and genuine caring and support during their stay. The notes from adults and children are posted on a bulletin board at the inn, serving as a reminder of how much guests appreciate excellent service. Barbara’s employer describes the service she provides guests as “incomparable” and says that she “goes the extra mile,” always willing to assist with the smallest and biggest of tasks—from moving furniture to dog-sitting to consoling guests who are going through personal strife, and even helping to jump-start a car battery. Barbara’s strong work ethic and genuine southern hospitality has created a welcoming experience for guests who return year after year.

Davin Coutu, Bartender/Front of House Shift Leader for the Oceanic Restaurant in Wrightsville Beach has worked in New Hanover County’s hospitality industry for more than two decades at one of our destination’s most popular restaurants. Originally from Morganton in the foothills of North Carolina, Davin moved to Wilmington to attend UNCW and never left. As a bartender he has been making guests happy for the past 25 years. In 2019, Davin told a reporter that the favorite part of his job is interacting with people, including the regulars that come in to see him daily. He also makes friends with out-of-town guests that continue to return specifically for his welcoming hospitality. He enjoys how each day at the restaurant is different, and always rises to the challenge of never knowing what the day will bring. Davin’s employers and colleagues refer to him as a Wrightsville Beach legend and contend that if he were to run for Mayor he would surely win! Not only is Davin at the top of his game as a bartender and front-of-house shift leader, he also supports his community and is among the destination’s biggest cheerleaders, always willing to share favorite activities, things to see and do, and places to hang out.

Amanda Leese, owner, operator, and tour guide of Wilmington Walking Tours took a leap of faith in 2021 when she left a 20-year career in sales and marketing for hotels and resorts to start a daily tour business that combines her marketing background, hospitality skills, knowledge of local history, and passions for preservation and architecture. By day this UNCW history graduate leads popular walking tours of Downtown and 8 historic neighborhoods. In the evenings she combines history with expertise as a wine sommelier during happy hour tours that support small businesses with stops at historic pubs and wine bars. At the end of each tour, guests are encouraged to visit area attractions, museums, and parks, along with recommendations of restaurants and bars. In her spare time, she volunteers for the Historic Wilmington Foundation and the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society. In a single recent week, Amanda hosted more than 120 guests on tours that highlight the charm and character of Wilmington. It’s no wonder that her social media channels boast positive guest reviews with words like “educational, fun, knowledgeable, authentic, engaging, enthusiastic, great ambassador and wonderful storyteller.”

Jane Peterson Tourism Legacy Award

The Tourism Legacy Award was established in 2018 in honor of the late Jane Peterson, the CVB’s first executive director to recognize visionary leadership and significant contributions to the hospitality industry. This year’s recipient is a North Carolina native who left a successful 15-year career as a Wall Street executive to become a “King of Fun” in the amusements industry. The Wilmington and Beaches CVB is honored to present the 2024 Jane Peterson Tourism Legacy Award to Bob Rippy, owner of Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park.

Bob grew up in Burlington where he was an Eagle Scout. He went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees from East Carolina University and taught Middle School science during the 1970s before starting a self-serve car wash business. From there he joined EF Hutton and Co., which led to jet-setting management positions with leading financial corporations. In 1997 Bob grew weary of the Wall Street lifestyle and left that world to return to Wilmington where he formed Wrightsville Farms Management Group, the parent company of Jungle Rapids.

As a community leader, Bob has served on several local boards, including the Cape Fear Coast CVB (during the 1990s) of which he is a past-president. Other tourism-related boards include the Wilmington International Airport Authority, the Cameron Art Museum, and Friends of Airlie Gardens. He currently serves on the UNCW Board of Trustees and has served on the Cape Fear Community College Board of Trustees, the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, the UNC Board of Governors, and numerous advisory and advancement boards for UNCW and ECU.

A longtime member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions [IAAPA], Bob Rippy’s industry impact extends beyond North Carolina. As an IAAPA member, he served on multiple committees and on the Board of Directors from 2007 until 2011. During his reign as board chair, Bob appeared on the November 2010 cover of FUNWORLD magazine.

Bob Rippy is truly in a class of his own as an accomplished business executive, entrepreneur, and international industry leader. He is also beloved by Jungle Rapids employees, many of whom have worked at Jungle Rapids for 10 or more years. Ask anyone who has worked at Jungle Rapids—past or present--and they will tell you that Bob Rippy is the best boss ever. He has given countless high school and college students their first jobs and has provided endless opportunities for career advancement in the hospitality industry.

Bob Rippy’s contributions to and ongoing support of tourism in New Hanover County cannot be overstated. In addition to owning a family-friendly attraction that employs approximately 100 local residents, Bob is also an advocate for legislation that protects tourism. Over the years Bob has been instrumental in lobbying to save our summers, standing firm with the CVB to oppose changes to the school calendar.
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Media Contact:
Connie Nelson
Communications/Public Relations Director
Wilmington and Beaches CVB
910-341-4030, ext. 120
866-266-9690

Previous Release: Wilmington and Beaches CVB Celebrates Local Travel Industry & Employees To Kick Off National Travel and Tourism Week (05/09/24)
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