New Destination Stewardship manager installed; town and county back first‑year action funds

Jesse Hook, the newly hired network manager for the Destination Stewardship Network (hired through Taos Main Street), introduced herself to the joint meeting and outlined first‑year priorities focused on equitable distribution of tourism benefits and long‑term management structure.

Hook said the Destination Stewardship Plan is grounded in a two‑year planning effort that collected more than 3,300 community survey responses. She told elected officials the plan’s early action teams include a cultural events fund, product development to resource business opportunities tied to tourism, and an organizational action team to design a durable management structure for the network.

Town and county managers confirmed a funding agreement process to let the town and county jointly pass funds to the network. Officials said the town and county already contributed $100,000 each into first‑year work and that the town and county are considering additional FY26 commitments to support the network’s “first‑year wins.”

Why it matters: Hook and councilors said a central goal is to spread tourism‑related economic benefits more equitably among residents and to align marketing with authentic community stories. Hook cited plan data: 80 percent of survey respondents said the community relies on tourism; 58 percent said they are dissatisfied with job opportunities aligned with tourism (reported during the meeting).

Councilors and commissioners encouraged the new manager and network to proceed with the action teams and to present community engagement and program budgets as the FY26 budgeting season approaches.