Eben named CVB president, CEO

The Fresno City and County Convention and Visitors Bureau named interim President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Eben to the permanent post today, concluding a five-month search process that drew more than 50 candidates from around the country.

Eben has served in the position since late January following the resignation of Laura Whitehouse, the bureau's former president and CEO. The CVB’s executive board interviewed four candidates today before the organization’s full board met with the two finalists, Eben and Douglas Traub, the former president and CEO of the Huntington Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau and leader previously of two other similar tourism agencies.

The local board members reportedly liked Eben’s efforts in working with CVB staff, his vision for the organization and his local ties. The CVB staff came out in support of Eben’s bid during the process.

The board will offer Eben $95,000 per year.

Eben served for two years as deputy mayor for the City of Fresno after a career of more than 25 years in education.

“It feels really good,” said Eben. “I’m really excited. We’re a top five city in the state of California in tourism and travel, and we have to operate as a top five city.

"We have to elevate our goals — there’s no reason we can’t do what Sacramento and Long Beach do. We’re bigger than both of them, but they’re doing triple what we’re doing. We’ve got to get out there and market and claim our piece of the pie.”