Don Dukemineer, STS, CHSP, joined Decatur Morgan County Tourism in February 2020 as the new Director of Sports Development. Before returning to North Alabama, Don worked for Foley Sports Tourism as Deputy Director for approximately two years, and the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau for 12 years as a Convention Sales Manager.  In 2008, Don was elected Chairman of the Alabama Sports Initiative, Sports Alabama, by the members of the Alabama Association of Destination Marketing Organizations (AADMO) and continues to serve in this position today.  Under his leadership, Don represents the State of Alabama as well as approximately 13 member destinations in creating awareness of Alabama’s rich history and tradition in hosting sporting events.  In 2017, Don was elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA), the first Alabamian to have been selected. He also serves as the current co-chair of the Sports ETA Mentoring & Engagement Committee, as well as part of the Awards, Symposium, Professional Education and Strategy Committees.

 In 2009, he was awarded the “Green Apple Award” for Young Professional of the Year by the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA); in 2010, the Huntsville/Madison County Hospitality Sales & Marketing Executives (HSME) recognized him as the CVB’s “employee of the year;” selected in the Southeast Tourism Society’s inaugural class of the “Forty for the Future,” recognizing travel’s leading talent in 2012; and recognized as the “Tourism Professional of the Year” by the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) in 2016.  SportsEvents Magazine recognized the CVB’s sports marketing efforts with a “Readers Choice Award” in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2017; and Sports Destination Management recognized the CVB’s efforts in hosting the 2016 Forrest Wood Cup with the prestigious “Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism” award.

He served on the board of the Huntsville/Madison County Hospitality Sales & Marketing Executives (HSME) for 10 years, including two terms as President; served on the Friends, Inc. non-profit board of directors for three years, including as Secretary and Vice President; Louis Crews Classic steering committee; and chairman of the Huntsville Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) advisory committee.

Don graduated from the University of Alabama in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, and Minor in Communication Studies.  He has earned his designations as a Certified Sports Event Executive (CSEE) and as a Certified Hospitality Sales Professional (CHSP).  He is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Huntsville/Madison County’s Connect program; a 2016 graduate of the Alabama Leadership Initiative of Leadership Alabama; and received special event certification training through the Alabama Emergency Management Association (EMA).