Black Hills & Badlands Staff
The BH&B team is dedicated to supporting the travel and tourism industry throughout the entire region by working with our partners to effectively contribute to, increase and sustain a vibrant visitor economy for the Black Hills and Badlands region.
Michelle Thomson
President / CEO
Manages all aspects of the
organization, including BH&B’s
tourism marketing programs
and press relations.

Ara Baumstarck
Vice President of Operations
Manages BH&B’s finances,
budget, human resources,
administrative services, the VIC
and support staff.
Lois Peterson
Administrative Assistant
Responsible for office reception,
front-line communications for
BH&B, data entry, meeting host
and billing/collections.

Megan Petersen
Destinations Services Specialist
Focused on supporting BH&B
members through membership sales,
service, and delivering information to
enhance their experience.
Hayli Hull
Vice President of Sales
Manages all aspects of sales, including goals, support and sales to the industry.
Jena Hofer
Sales Director
Leads sales of membership, print, web and VIC products for the Northern and Southern Black Hills and Eastern Wyoming.
Bill Bernhard
Sales Director
Leads sales of membership, print, web and VIC products for Rapid City, the Badlands and Eastern territory, and Custer.
Greg Valladolid
Vice President of Marketing
Manages BH&B’s marketing
budget, programs, products
and production staff.

Mike Mazzarella
Graphic & Media Arts Designer
Designs and produces BH&B’s
mailings, publications, marketing
materials and ads.

Jennifer Jungwirth
Social Media & Communications Specialist
Responsible for BH&B’s voice
and specific messaging across
platforms, including print, social
media, blogs and PR.

Makinsey Ahlrichs
Digital Marketing Specialist
Responsible for managing BH&B’s
digital presence and creating
marketing content across web,
social media, and email platforms.
Skip Stanec
VIC Building Manager
Supervises daily operation and
maintenance of the VIC.
Maintains books, bank deposits
and visitor traffic stats. Provides
travel information to visitors.

Jessica Underwood
VIC Supervisor
Supervises the overall operation of
the VIC Gift Shop and Support
Staff. Provides travel information
and other services to visitors.



