What is visitors bureau director Shelley Johnson’s salary, and who sets it?

Shanna Landry, director of administration and satellite office for the Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau, said Johnson, who’s worked for the bureau for three decades, earns $211,000 a year.

According to the visitors bureau’s latest financial review, released by the Legislative Auditor’s Office in July, Johnson’s salary was $199,800 in 2016.

The totals for other forms of compensation that year: insurance benefits, $17,363; retirement benefits, $12,000; government-provided vehicle, $1,679; travel, $2,268; registration fees, $350; conference travel, $11,206; and continuing professional education, $1,865.

Johnson’s salary was $192,708 in 2015 and $188,276 in 2014.

“The primary role of the executive director/CEO,” Landry wrote in an email, “is to work directly with the board of directors on policymaking and strategy for the CVB while managing the sales, communications, and marketing efforts of the organization with over 23 employees and two locations in Lake Charles and Sulphur.”

The bureau is governed by an 11-member board. Six members are appointed by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, three by the city of Lake Charles, one by the West Calcasieu Community Center Authority and one by the city of Sulphur. They receive no compensation.

The board members are Lauren Cooper, Gerry Del Prete, Evette Gradney, Rob King, Mark Lavergne, Brian Levens, Edwina Medearis, Rick Richard, Jonathan Ringo, Sam Wilkinson and Nimesh Zaver.

“The bureau operates as the official Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for Calcasieu Parish and last year generated over $641 million in travel expenditures in the parish. …,” Landry wrote. “The bureau’s annual operating budget is $6.6 million dollars.”

The visitors bureau in 2016 took in $5.8 million via a 4 percent occupancy tax; $17,720 in interest and dividends; $63,020 from gift shop sales; $76,280 through cooperative advertising; and $517 by selling assets. The total, including $1,987 in miscellaneous revenue, was $5.95 million.

Expenditures for that year totaled $5.2 million, including $2.3 million for advertising, sales and promotions; $1.25 million for personnel services; $93,201 for payroll taxes; $215,724 for employee benefits; $195,287 for building maintenance; $32,894 for the gift shop; and $135,000 for bond retirement.

Online: www.lla.la.gov; www.visitlakecharles.com.

The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.