Texas Tourism Foundation Awards Inaugural Daniel J. Decker Scholarship to Kayla Simpson Gostnell

Austin, TX – October 23, 2024 – The Texas Tourism Foundation is proud to announce that Kayla Simpson Gostnell has been awarded the inaugural Daniel J. Decker Scholarship, recognizing Kayla’s dedication to the tourism industry and her commitment to community engagement. This prestigious scholarship was presented at the 39th annual Texas Travel Summit in Houston, TX, October 14-16, 2024.

Kayla Simpson Gostnell currently serves as the Tourism Manager for Visit Marble Falls, where she has been instrumental in establishing the first tourism partnership program and enhancing community engagement at the local visitor center. Her innovative approach and dedication have significantly boosted tourism in Marble Falls.

Kayla Simpson Gostnell is pictured with Erika Boyd, President, Texas Tourism Foundation, Kathy Decker, and Denise Decker, receiving the inaugural Daniel J. Decker Scholarship.

“Kayla Simpson Gostnell exemplifies the passion and dedication that the Daniel J. Decker Scholarship aims to recognize,” said Erika Boyd, President of the Texas Tourism Foundation. “Her efforts in promoting tourism and fostering community engagement have made a lasting impact. We are thrilled to honor her achievements and support her continued growth in the industry.”

Before her tenure in Marble Falls, Kayla was a founding member of the Arlington Sports Commission in Arlington, Texas. In this role, she played a pivotal part in organizing major events, including the NFL Draft, E-Sports Awards, National Finals Rodeo, and Special Olympics. Her career in tourism began with an internship at Visit Lubbock, which led to her first full-time position at Visit Fort Worth.

Kayla is actively involved in her community, serving on the Marble Falls Highland Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Education & Ambassador Committees and the Marble Falls ISD Career & Technical Education Advisory Board. A native of Johnson City, TX, Kayla graduated from Johnson City High School in 2007. She earned her undergraduate degree in Restaurant Hotel Institutional Management from Texas Tech University in 2011 and completed her MBA at Murray State University in 2015. Kayla and her husband, Gary, enjoy raising their two children, Cooper and Amelia, on her family ranch in Johnson City.

Daniel J. Decker was known for always being willing to lend a hand, providing sage advice, and mentoring so many in the travel industry. The Daniel J. Decker Scholarship fund continues Dan's legacy by providing scholarships to travel industry professionals to advance their careers.

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The Texas Tourism Foundation was founded to support the professional development of individuals in the Texas Travel Industry by providing scholarships and educational opportunities. Texas Tourism Foundation is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 74-2755341. www.texastourismfoundation.org

The Texas Travel Alliance is the voice of the travel and tourism industry in Texas. We advocate for policies that help our industry grow and thrive. We provide professional development opportunities to elevate our industry’s leaders. And we create connections that will help our members flourish and succeed. For more information about the Texas Travel Alliance: www.texastravelalliance.org.