Assistant Louisiana tourism secretary chosen by Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne

Kyle Edmiston was head of the Ruston-Lincoln Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau for six years

The former president and chief executive officer of the Ruston-Lincoln Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau will be going statewide in his tourism efforts. Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, the state's chief tourism officer, has named Kyle Edmiston as assistant secretary of the office of tourism, the position that had been held by Jim Hutchinson, who recently resigned.

Kyle Edmiston

Dardenne spokesman Jacques Berry said that Edmiston will be paid $107,000 a year, the same as Hutchinson.

Edmiston was head of the Ruston-Lincoln Parish visitor organization for six years and has been involved "extensively in statewide tourism efforts" serving as vice chair, secretary and treasurer of the Louisiana Travel and Promotion Association, Dardenne said. He also has served as president of the Louisiana Association of Convention and Visitors Bureau and holds positions on several regional tourism organizations' boards.

Dardenne said he will start his job with the state May 1.