Circle Michigan Announces Executive Leadership Change

Lisa Kukulski named next Executive Director of Circle Michigan.

Circle Michigan, the destination marketing organization dedicated to promoting group travel in Michigan, has announced the appointment of Lisa Kukulski to Executive Director of the organization, succeeding Janet Kasic, who announced her retirement as Executive Director to the Board of Directors at a September board meeting.

Kukulski, who began her new role on October 1, had previously been serving as Circle Michigan's Marketing Manager, a position she held since 2015. Her primary responsibilities included generating group tour leads, managing website content, tradeshow logistics and budgets, planning Circle Michigan's annual meeting, and working as the Circle Michigan Foundation coordinator.

Kasic will remain with the organization in a commissioned membership sales role for the next year as the organization transitions.

"We announce this appointment with confidence that Lisa is the right person to move Circle Michigan forward," said Dominick Miller, Circle Michigan Board of Directors President. "Lisa understands the group tour business in Michigan as few do and will bring a fresh perspective to the organization.

"We can't thank Janet enough for the work she has done with Circle Michigan—her passion for group travel and Circle Michigan is unparalleled. We are excited she will remain a part of the Circle Michigan family and provide support to Lisa moving forward."

From Portage, Michigan, Kukulski graduated from Western Michigan University with a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Communication Studies. Prior to working with Circle Michigan, Kukulski worked at the Kalamazoo County Conventions and Visitor's Bureau/Discover Kalamazoo as a Destination Services Manager and at Kaiser Aluminum as a Sales Representative.

"It's been a privilege to work alongside Janet over the past eight years," Kukulski said. "I look forward to working with the Circle Michigan Board of Directors and the members of Circle Michigan as we continue to grow the group tour market in the great state of Michigan. Janet and I have been working with the Circle Michigan Board of Directors to make this a seamless transition."

Kasic was appointed Executive Director of Circle Michigan in October 2006. Prior to joining Circle Michigan, Kasic was a Senior Sales Representative and responsible for the sales of domestic and international tour groups to The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.

Courtesy of Groups Today.

 Photo Courtesy of Circle Michigan.