Jack Cohen, president and CEO of the county tourism bureau, announces retirement
Preserving history and leaving things better than the way you found them is what Jack Cohen, CEO and president of the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau (BCTCB), has done for over 20 years.
Now, he said it’s time to hand over the reins as he on April 25 announced his retirement, which will take effect on July 31, 2024.
“It’s been an honor and pleasure working with all of our members and staff to grow tourism in Butler County,” Cohen said. “I am proud of the many accomplishments and successes over the years working together with our members, business partners, community, staff and government leaders. I look forward to working with Amy not only to ensure a smooth transition, but also to help position the bureau and Butler County for the future.”
With the upcoming change in leadership, the board also announced that Amy Pack has been named executive director with a July 1 start date, which will provide a year’s worth of transition prior to her leading the organization.
“I am honored to be selected by the board as executive director,” Pack said. “Jack has provided outstanding guidance and leadership, and I look forward to working closely with him to continue the great work the BCTCB has done.”
Pack, who currently serves as senior director of tourism development, also has an extensive background in the hospitality industry, Cohen said.
“(Pack) will be the lead individual of the tourism bureau,” Cohen said. “The idea for her is to follow me in the things I do. She also needs to make the connections that she needs and get involved with the committees that I'm involved with.”
Cohen, who will be turning 69 in a month, was the first chairman of the bureau’s board of directors in 2001 prior to becoming its second CEO in 2003.
He originally started in the hospitality industry, where he was director of operations for Chuck E. Cheese, but got away from the business when he decided to open up his own family entertainment center, Safari Sam’s in Cranberry Township.
Glenn Anderson, a former county commissioner, sparked Cohen’s interest in tourism when he came into Safari Sam’s one day and said they had some sort of tourism agency run by the chamber of commerce, but it wasn't doing what it should, Cohen said.
“A group of businesses from the tourism industry and I went to Harrisburg to talk to the tourism group that runs it for the state,” Cohen said. “They helped us get organized, and next thing you know here we are.”
Preserving history and publicizing stories from Butler County’s past was one of Cohen’s main goals through his work with the tourism bureau.
The bureau was helpful in bringing the Jeep Fest to the county, as well as helping with the placement of George Washington’s Trail.
“People always first think of the Jeep,” Cohen said. “That had a big impact on the community and the country. Then, you look at George Washington coming through here in 1753 — and someone took a shot at him north of Evans City. Can you imagine what we might be doing if that bullet hit him. There’s just tons of history.”
Tracy Rittle, bureau board member and owner of Lil Birdy’s Antiques & Decor, explained she is happy to see Cohen make his transition into retirement and how much of an impact he has left on the community’s tourism industry.
“Jack has done a lot for the whole tourism industry,” Rittle said. “He has built up so many relationships in the area and outside our area. I think he helped put us on the map a little more with making people aware what we have available in Butler County.”
Rittle is excited to see Pack move into the new leadership role for the bureau and said Pack carries a lot of similar traits that Cohen has.
“Amy is such a wonderful woman,” Rittle said. “She is also very ingrained in the history of the area. She has been with the bureau around 20 years herself. With the relationships she has, I think she has big shoes to fill, but I think she won't have a problem doing so.”
