The Nevada Division of Tourism (Travel Nevada) has chosen longtime Reno marketing strategist and writer Mikalee Byerman as its chief marketing officer. In this position, she will oversee Travel Nevada’s advertising program, brand management and research functions, among other responsibilities.

“We are thrilled that Mikalee has joined the Travel Nevada team,” Brenda Scolari, Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs director, said. “Her creative talents as well as her abilities as a strategic thinker will so benefit our team as we execute the programs that support Nevada’s recovering tourism economy.”

Byerman comes to Travel Nevada from the Estipona Group, where she was vice president of strategy. She also is a former managing editor of a Gannett-owned Custom Publishing Group and three award-winning magazines.

Additionally, Byerman is a humor essayist, travel writer and keynote speaker. Her debut book is “100 Things to Do in Reno Before You Die,” and her writing has been featured in Ladies’ Home Journal, Southwest Spirit Magazine and Alaska Airlines Magazine, as well as on the Huffington Post and TIME Magazine websites. She holds a master’s degree in journalism.