Tucson Blog Author Bios

Guest Authors
These blogs are sent in by various Tucson locals and visitors, describing their adventures and experiences in Tucson and Southern Arizona.

Jessica
Jessica is an alumna of the University of Arizona, and has lived in Tucson for eight years. She loves food, hiking with her husband and dog, local brews, cycling, stargazing and the outdoors. Since she began working for the MTCVB, she's gotten to explore many of Tucson's attractions, but there are always more!

Erin
Born and raised in Tucson. Recently married, no children yet. Is not a writer in any sense of the word (so please excuse all grammar mistakes!). She was the geeky behind the scenes webmaster for the MTCVB for two years and is now in school to become a teacher.

Kimberly
Kimberly is one of a rare breed. She's an Arizona native! Born in a tiny mining town, she is a huge fan of the desert and spent most of her childhood hiking through arroyos, making a game out of looking for water, and exploring ghost town and caves. Now Kimberly lives just north of Tucson where she can keep her horses and live close to her beloved Catalina Mountains.

Vicki
Vicki is a 23-year Tucson "native" and a journalism alum of Northern Illinois University. Vicki has been with the MTCVB for the past 15 years as Vice President, Partner Development & Visitor Services. Prior to joining the MTCVB, Vicki worked in the City of Tucson's Community Relations Office and was Assistant Information Director at the Tucson Airport Authority. Vicki and her family get lots of practice showing off Tucson and putting together visitor itineraries for a steady stream of Midwest relatives!

Vince
Vincent is an Arizona native that lives in Tucson. He is currently employed by the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau as the Director of Sports Development. He enjoys having Arizona adventures and sharing his love for the state with his family.

Kristin
Kristin moved to Tucson two years ago from northern California, so she gets to explore Tucson like a true visitor. She and her husband enjoy taking their visiting families around town to explore all the unique surroundings of the desert and visiting attractions like the Desert Museum, Kartchner Caverns, Old Tucson, and hopefully Kitt Peak this fall.

Graeme Hughes
Long time Tucsonan and huge baseball fan. Look for the things that fly "under the radar" like Tucson Raceway Park on Saturday night or slack compitition at the rodeo when no one else is watching.

Ann
Ann moved to Tucson from the Chicago area in 1997 and had a crash course in local tourism thanks to a never-ending stream of desert-bound houseguests. Today she puts that knowledge, and her career experiences in journalism, education and tourism, to use as a volunteer at the MTCVB Visitors Center.

Adam
A second-generation Tucson native, some claim Adam still lives here because he just doesn't know any better. This couldn't be further from the truth. He has gone "walkabout" on several occasions, but has found he can't be anywhere for more than six months without giving in to the call of the Sonoran desert.

Jennifer
In 2003, Jenn left the Colorado mountains for adventures in the Desert. Since moving to Tucson, she has particularly enjoyed exploring the historic sites and towns in Southern Arizona.

Martha
Wow..What can I tell you?  I've been at MTCVB two years and love it.  I enjoy the nature, the outdoors, hiking and camping.  I especially like exploring small towns, learning their history and visiting out of the way places. 

Graeme Hunt
Born and raised in Flagstaff and a University of Arizona graduate, Graeme has lived in Tucson for 10 years. As an avid mountain and road-cyclist, he is often found injuring himself on the plethora of Tucson's world-class trails. He also loves more high-falootin' pastimes such as watching local theatre and sampling the region's fantastic restaurants. Graeme, the MTCVB's webmaster and part-time graphic designer.

Catherine
When Catherine is not out enjoying all of the sights, sounds, and tastes of the town, she is either playing her flute or piano, taking photographs of a sunset, reading, or working for Pima County. As a native Tucsonan and a UA graduate, she is hooked on the sunshine and friendly faces.

Brooke
A Tucson native and a UofA alum, she loved living in Japan and San Francisco but decided "there is no place like home." Solar powered, thrives on Tucson's climate, captivated by the desert and its inhabitants, and a huge fan of our culinary scene and theater. Both grateful and delighted to be a group sales ambassador for the MTCVB and loves to hear "I had no idea how beautiful Tucson is!" 

Toby
Toby is an Arizona girl born and raised - grew up in Casa Grande Arizona on an alfalfa farm. She attended University of Arizona - GO CATS! Favorite things about Tucson: the mountains, hiking, cooking, all the great restaurants and spending time with her husband, son, mom and awesome friends.

Mary (aka Ozzies Mom)
Mary has lived in Tucson for almost 20 years. She spent her "youth" in the wet Pacific Northwest, and NEVER takes the Tucson sunshine for granted!  She loves adventure and travel and her job at the MTCVB gives her plenty of both. She is a big believer in preserving the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert and protecting wildlife and wild places.  She resides in northwest Tucson with her husband and furry dog-children, Ozzie and Maya, the worlds most spoiled pooches. 

Debra
Having called Tucson home for thirty years, Debra is an active volunteer in the community that she loves to promote. You can find her at the U of A football games, riding her bicycle along the Rillito River, or trying to recreate recipes from Tucson's amazing restaurants.

Belinda
Belinda is a life-long Kansas farm girl transplanted in Tucson with her family for nearly three years now. She is a WSU Shocker alum with a degree in Radio/TV/Film. Her Mid-West roots left her working in Radio and the Ad Agency world for 20+ years. She relocated to the desert as MTCVB's Media Director, which translates to Planning & Buying all the Media/Advertising. She, along with her husband and teenage daughters are still exploring Tucson and picking favorite places to see with visiting family. Belinda loves to garden and is still learning about desert landscaping and appreciating the beauty of desert bloom. Seeing the mountains, all the outdoor attractions and dining are her favorite things about Tucson.

Marisol
Marisol works at the MTCVB in the Mexico Marketing Department, has lived in Tucson for eight years, and has two kids. She loves outdoors activities, and visiting local museums, festivals and parks. She enjoys spending time with her kids and teaching them how fortunate they are to be living in the amazing Sonoran Desert. They love Tucson because Tucson always surprises them!ating the beauty of desert bloom. Seeing the mountains, all the outdoor attractions and dining are her favorite things about Tucson.