Her Story
About Susan
Susan Ammons serves as Tourism and Marketing Supervisor with Gloucester County's Parks, Recreation, and Tourism in Gloucester, Virginia. In this position since May 2022, she promotes the county's events, historic assets, local businesses, and main street through website management (3), social media (6), and event support while also handling parks and recreation program marketing and lends a hand in program brainstorming when able. Ammons draws on more than 15 years in marketing, including prior real estate marketing work and her photography expertise, to capture and showcase local assets online and in print. She earned recognition when her redesign of the Daffodil Festival website received a VRPS award from the Virginia Recreation and Park Society. Her educational background includes a computer science degree with a web design track from ECPI, an associate's degree from community college, and self-taught skills in photography and marketing developed through hands-on practice and online courses. Last year Susan was able to develop a mobile app for the Daffodil Festival. This project was sufficient as the county was able to build this resource in house instead of out sourcing.
Susan's most important roles are being a mother & wife. She loves spending time with her family, going to the beach, and anywhere she goes her camera goes too!
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Susan
01What do you attribute your success to?
I owe a huge thank you to my parents who instilled in me the importance of hard work and making sure when you do a task or hold a position you are doing so to the best of your ability. I thank those that have mentored me and motivated me to go for promotions or changes in industry as that has lead me to where I am today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've ever received is to make the most of every opportunity you're given. No matter the position or project, approach it with enthusiasm, work hard, and always be willing to learn. Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to have mentors and role models who demonstrated the importance of showing up prepared, doing your best, and treating every experience as a chance to grow. That mindset has opened doors I never expected and continues to guide me every day.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women to be confident in their ideas and never stop learning. Marketing and tourism are constantly evolving, so staying curious, embracing new technology, and being adaptable are essential. Build strong relationships, ask questions, and don't be afraid to take on challenges that push you outside your comfort zone. Most importantly, be authentic. Your unique perspective and creativity are what will help you tell meaningful stories, connect with people, and make a lasting impact on your community.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is capturing people's attention in a world where they are constantly bombarded with content. You have to be creative, authentic, and strategic to stand out. At the same time, that's also one of the greatest opportunities. Digital marketing gives us the ability to tell our community's story in ways we never could before through video, social media, and real-time engagement. I love finding new ways to showcase Gloucester's history, parks, local businesses, and events while creating experiences that inspire people to visit, explore, and make memories.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Balance is one of the values I try to prioritize the most. Marketing and tourism often involve evenings, weekends, and fast-paced deadlines, so it's important to stay grounded and make time for family, friends, and personal well-being. I also value integrity, hard work, and teamwork. I believe in giving your best effort, supporting the people around you, and remembering that the most meaningful accomplishments happen when everyone works toward a common goal.
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