BH&B Staff Spotlight: Ara Baumstarck | Black Hills & Badlands - South Dakota

BH&B Staff Spotlight: Ara Baumstarck

  • BH&B Staff Spotlight: Ara Baumstarck

At BH&B, our staff members are what makes our association so special. They're dedicated, hardworking, caring, and, of course, fun! We’re excited to introduce you to them in our new microBytes series, BH&B Staff Spotlight.

Name
Ara Baumstarck

Title
Vice President of Operations

Job Description
As VP of Operations, I am responsible for managing the Association’s finances, budget, Human Resources, administrative services, and the Black Hills Visitor Information Center and its staff.

Years with BH&B
17

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Spare time…. What is that? Haha. For real, I am a busy mom that loves to spend as much time as possible with my husband and kids exploring the Hills. I have also recently taken up golf and have really enjoyed learning the game. I am the queen of swinging and missing the ball. I can be found taking about 20 shots to make it to the green. I can also be found laughing at myself because I am ridiculously bad, but I always have fun.

What is your favorite food and why?
Tacos! I am not sure that I need to explain why to you fine people because we all know how delicious tacos are….but, basically, it’s like eating a magical envelope full of meat and cheese goodness. I have not met a taco that I didn’t love. Well, except Tacos de Lengua. Because no amount of cheese and sour cream can make tongue taste good. 

What is your favorite part about working in the tourism industry?
The people. I love our tourism family. I love our visitors. This is the best industry to work in and I truly enjoy everything about it. It is so fun helping people’s dreams come true, be it our visitors coming on their dream vacation, helping our members’ tourism businesses thrive or developing partnerships with our peers.