JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Rochelle Hicks has been named executive director of the Mississippi Tourism Association.

She will take the lead in developing and implementing the organization's tourism strategy in the state.

She also will be the group's liaison to the Mississippi Legislature.

Hicks has more than 15 years of experience in the tourism industry and a record of increasing tourism revenue as deputy director of the Ridgeland Tourism Commission.

In Ridgeland, she managed marketing and sales, creating tourism-related incentives and events, developing and overseeing the agency's budget and managing day-to-day operations.

She also has worked in Mississippi's hotel and casino industries.