Park County Travel Council Appoints Travel and Hospitality Veteran Michael Wambolt as Executive Director
CODY, Wyo., January 28, 2026 – The Park County Travel Council (PCTC), also known as Cody Yellowstone, has appointed Michael Wambolt as its executive director. Wambolt joins PCTC/Cody Yellowstone after more than 20 years in the global travel and hospitality industry in a variety of positions at both the property and destination levels.
PCTC conducted a nationwide search this past fall for the open position. Wambolt will officially start April 1, 2026 after he and his wife, Jessica, relocate to Cody in March. Cody Yellowstone is the marketing arm for the region that includes the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse, parts of the Shoshone National Forest and a large swath of Yellowstone National Park.
“We are thrilled to welcome Michael Wambolt to Cody,” said John Parsons, chairman of the board of directors of PCTC. “He is a travel industry veteran with a wealth of experience who is eager to experience the rich outdoor recreational offerings of our destination. We think he’s going to be a terrific fit for Cody Yellowstone.”
Wambolt has been executive director of Visit Morro Bay, a coastal community in central California since 2021. He has also worked for Visit SLO CAL as director of travel trade overseeing sales efforts for all lodging in San Luis Obispo, as director of sales for SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Atascadero, Calif. and director of sales for Sea Ocean Front Hotel in Pismo Beach, Calif. He got his start in hospitality as site representative for Contiki Holidays with responsibilities in Amsterdam, Paris and Austria.
“As an avid outdoorsman, I am beyond excited to promote Cody Yellowstone with its rich history, authentic Western atmosphere, world-class attractions and seemingly endless outdoor recreation,” said Wambolt.
Wambolt will be the organization’s third executive director in close to 40 years, replacing Ryan Hauck who left last year to become CEO of Experience Fayetteville in Arkansas. Prior to Hauck’s tenure, Claudia Wade was the original director who established and ran PCTC from the mid-1980s until she retired in 2021.
[Press Release]