After graduating from Gonzaga, Josh Phillips played professional soccer and traveled the country for five years. Four years ago, he opened Spawn Fly Fish on Spruce Street in Ilwaco, a brick-and-mortar fly shop with a broad online customer base. “I’m deeply passionate about this community. Having lived here, visited here, and owned a business here, I want to play an active role in shaping its future. Tourism is one of the key drivers of our local economy, and I believe my experience, creativity and dedication can help this area reach its full potential while respecting its values and natural resources,” Phillips said.

SEAVIEW — A local businessman has been named to run the Pacific County Tourism Bureau, the entity responsible for marketing the county’s scenic, historic, artistic and cultural attractions.

Josh Phillips takes over from interim executive director Madeline Matson, the board chair who stepped in following the discovery this summer of $73,000 in alleged embezzlement by the previous leader.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?

“I’m 33 years old and live in Ilwaco. After high school, I earned academic and athletic scholarships to play soccer at Gonzaga University, where I studied business and graduated with a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. I’ve been an avid outdoorsman my entire life; hiking, fishing and exploring every inch of nature I can.”

2. What’s one thing about you people would be surprised to know?

“After graduating from Gonzaga, I achieved my dream of becoming a professional soccer player. I traveled the country for five years, living an incredible life and playing the game I love.”

3. How have your previous work experiences prepared you for this new role?

“Over the past five years, I’ve worked to build trust and strong relationships within the community, city, and state. My role with Spawn Fly Fish and other marketing jobs has taught me how to build a brand, manage growth and advocate for ideas. I’ve developed a strong understanding of how to market a product, idea or community online, while my involvement with local organizations has given me insight into the broader needs of the tourism industry. Additionally, I’ve gained experience with LTAC [Pacific County Lodging Tax Advisory Committee] funding and community branding, which positions me well to lead the Tourism Bureau.”

4. What are some of your goals as director?

“I want to strengthen partnerships between local businesses, government and the bureau, ensuring the community understands and trusts our efforts to help this area thrive. Long-term, my goal is to foster strong stakeholder engagement in planning the future, focusing on the community’s shared vision rather than personal objectives. With our incredible staff, we can implement strategies that align with the community’s goals and aspirations.”

5. How do you feel about banana slugs?

“I don’t fully understand how they manage to get into my house, but outside of that, I think they’re an important species to our ecosystems!”

6. Why do you want to be the tourism bureau director?

“I’m deeply passionate about this community. Having lived here, visited here and owned a business here, I want to play an active role in shaping its future. Tourism is one of the key drivers of our local economy, and I believe my experience, creativity and dedication can help this area reach its full potential while respecting its values and natural resources.”

7. Is there a particular area (or aspect) of the peninsula that you feel there’s room for more promotion?

“There’s definitely room for growth, though it’s not limited to one particular aspect. Many areas within the county have opportunities to be highlighted and promoted more effectively.”

8. What are you most excited about in your new role as tourism director?

“I’m excited to showcase everything that makes this area special. I’m particularly looking forward to collaborating with local businesses and community members to create strategies that resonate with both visitors and locals. The potential here is tremendous, and I can’t wait to get started.”

9. What do you anticipate being some of the biggest challenges?

“One challenge will be balancing growth with an understanding of the county’s history and dynamics. We’re also working through a significant budget reduction, stemming from what I see as a lack of trust created by our previous director. Fortunately, our interim director and staff are incredible, and I’m confident we can demonstrate what we’re capable of with less funding and more hard work, while respecting the county’s past and supporting everyone.”

10. Is there anything you would like to add?

“When we first moved to this community and opened a fly shop, there was doubt. I’m aware that stepping into this new role may come with similar doubts. But once people learned who we were and saw our ability to sell fly-fishing products to a global audience from Pacific County, that doubt turned into a community of support. I’m committed to building that same trust and community in this new role.”