ARLENE GOULD
As Executive Director of the Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau, Arlene is a regular Big Blend Radio guest covering travel, history and events in historic Natchitoches, the oldest city in Louisiana.
Arlene started her Hospitality Industry career in Natchitoches, LA while studying at Northwestern State University and worked for Upper Crust Corp. assisting in opening several Mr. Gatti’s Restaurants located in Shreveport, Bossier and Alexandria, La and stores located in Marshall, Lufkin and Nacogdoches, Texas.
Her food and beverage experience took her back to her hometown of New Orleans where she worked for the Doubletree Hotel overseeing the Food and Beverage outlets and was honored as “Manager of the Year”. Arlene continued her studies at the University of New Orleans Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Program and studied at Delgado Community College to become a licensed tour guide for the City of New Orleans.
Arlene later began a career in “Human Resources” management and worked 11 years with LeMeridien Hotels and Resorts as Director of Human Resources where she was responsible for the recruitment, orientation, training, benefits administration and employee counseling for over 300 employees in New Orleans before transferring to LeMeridien Hotel in Beverly Hills where she lived and worked for 5 years before returning to Natchitoches, Louisiana.
Upon her return to Natchitoches she served as the Curator at Melrose Plantation, a National Historic Landmark and worked with APHN (Association for Preservation of Historic Natchitoches) until 2007 when she joined the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau as a Groups and Special Events Manager and was promoted to the Executive Director position in 2013.
“I have worked in restaurants, hotels, attractions and now with the Convention and Visitors Bureau. I feel as if all my previous work experience has allowed me to grow over the years and has led me back to the place I love so much.” Arlene’s hobbies include spoiling dogs, traveling, cooking and photography. She has been to 15 countries and 22 states and claims she hasn’t been everywhere but it’s on her list.
Visit www.Natchitoches.com
