Around Town … with Robert Airoldi: Visionary Visit Gilroy leader Jane Howard announces retirement

“Jane created a dynamic team and has been a visionary leader for Gilroy,” said Vic Vanni, Visit Gilroy Chairman of the Board.

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

After 17 years at the helm of Visit Gilroy and the California Welcome Center Gilroy, Executive Director Jane Howard has announced she will retire effective June 30, 2022. Under her stewardship, Gilroy’s destination marketing organization has served as an economic development leader and has elevated Gilroy to a well-known destination for visitors from around the world.

“Jane created a dynamic team and has been a visionary leader for Gilroy,” said Vic Vanni, Visit Gilroy Chairman of the Board. “Since joining the organization in January 2005, she has led with collaboration, enthusiasm, and integrity. She earned the respect of community leaders, partner agencies, and residents by engaging them and bringing them together in regional efforts to encourage visitation and overnights stays in Gilroy. We are truly grateful for her dedication and will miss her warm and wonderful spirit.”

Jane Howard

During Howard’s tenure, Visit Gilroy led the development and implementation of the city-wide wayfinding sign program and established the Gilroy Tourism Business Improvement District. She also secured space for the original Gilroy Welcome Center at Gilroy Premium Outlets and then led the successful effort to have the center designated as one of 20 California Welcome Centers located across the state.

“What a joy it has been to serve this community,” Howard said, reflecting back on her 17 years of experience. “I have been blessed to work with so many amazing people. I will miss the established relationships with individuals and organizations who are all dedicated to making Gilroy a great place to live, work and play.

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Charlie Brown Christmas at Gilroy Gardens.
Photo courtesy Gilroy Gardens

We encourage South Valley families to end the year celebrating the holidays in an evening visit to Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park. The annual festive lights display with the trees twinkling at night make for magical memories. And bundle up to go ice-skating under the stars at the Creekside rink.

Hoa Minh Le, the park’s general manager, invites everyone in the community to enjoy favorite family fun traditions during Holiday at Gilroy Gardens.

“From the sparkling light displays and ice skating under the stars to the live ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ musical show and visits with Santa, there are lots of magical memories just waiting to be made here,” he said.

The park will also be open from 8 p.m. to midnight on New Year’s Eve as guests join the count down to a spectacular fireworks show to welcome in 2022. And it’s even open for some “bonus” weekends in early January.

Visit www.gilroygardens.org for details on dates and times and to purchase tickets. Come out and play during the holidays.

For their winter community service project, the Rotary Club of Gilroy supported Gilroy Unified School District’s efforts to provide winter clothing for children in grades K-12.  Many of the families in need are part of their McKinney Vento (homeless students), Migrant and Foster Youth programs.

Collectively $4,148 was raised and an additional $275 in Target gift cards were donated. Using these funds, the club bought 125 new coats, several dozen beanie hats and another several dozen gloves.  In addition, dozens of warm clothing items were also donated to this project.

“Locally, our members take to heart their commitment to unite and take action to make our community stronger by providing basic needs where necessary,” said Rotary Club President Ryan Dinsmore. “This project is a reflection of that commitment.”

Finally, I want to take a moment to wish all Gilroy Life readers a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic 2022.

With the COVID-19 pandemic turning our lives upside down, these past two years have been difficult for our community — as it has been for billions of people in cities and towns across America and around the world.

Despite the hardships, the human spirit endures. Most of us came together to support each other emotionally and financially in the difficulty of dealing with one of the most challenging times humanity has seen on a global scale.

Let us all remember that we all belong to one human family. We can survive these turbulent times when we unite in a spirit of compassion and unite as one people dedicated to peace on Earth and good will to men. That’s the message of the holidays.