HUNTSVILLE — After 25 years in the Greater Birmingham area, Lori Leonard has returned to North Alabama where she joins the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau as director of marketing.

“With travel and tourism breaking records in Madison County, and Huntsville being ranked the No.1 place to live in the U.S., it was the perfect time to enter the industry and move to the area,” said Leonard.

A University of North Alabama alum, Leonard served as executive director for several nonprofit organizations including the Homewood Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Hoover, and Leadership Trussville.

She also held marketing leadership positions in private business and ran a successful consulting business.

With the Convention & Visitors Bureau, Leonard will oversee the promotional and advertising efforts of the agency as well as various campaigns. She will work with the social media and graphic design teams, as well as hospitality industry partners.