Visit South Padre Island Names Veteran Tourism Leader Kelly de Schaun as Executive Director
International Destination Strategist to Lead Next Phase of Growth for South Padre Island
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas, March 23, 2026— Visit South Padre Island has announced the hiring of Kelly de Schaun as its new Executive Director, bringing more than two decades of international tourism leadership and destination management experience to the organization and the vibrant coastal community of South Padre Island. She starts on March 23rd.
Raised in Kerrville, Texas, de Schaun is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast and a widely respected leader in the tourism and hospitality industry. She is a graduate and “Distinguished Alumni” of the University of Houston Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership and holds a master’s degree in community planning from the University of Texas at Austin. Over the past 20 years, de Schaun has built a career as a destination manager, working across both the private and public sectors throughout the Caribbean and Gulf Coast.
Her expertise spans tourism marketing, sales, community outreach, infrastructure planning, and economic development—experience that will help guide South Padre Island’s continued growth as a premier coastal destination.
“Kelly brings an exceptional combination of industry expertise, vision, and passion for coastal communities,” said Randy Smith, City Manager for South Padre Island. “Her leadership and deep understanding of destination development will help position South Padre Island for continued success, ensuring we remain one of the most sought-after travel destinations on the Gulf Coast.”
De Schaun began her career in the Dominican Republic working with the ownership group behind Punta Cana’s tourism development, including the Punta Cana International Airport and the Punta Cana Hotel & Spa. During her tenure there, the property earned the prestigious Green Hotel of the Year award from the World Travel & Tourism Council for its sustainability initiatives.
Following that recognition, she joined the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, where she led regional sustainability and conservation programs funded by major partners including American Express and American Airlines.
In Texas, de Schaun served as CEO of Visit Galveston for 11 years, where she played a key role in the destination’s recovery after the devastation of Hurricane Ike. Under her leadership, Galveston experienced remarkable tourism growth, increasing visitation from approximately 800,000 visitors annually to more than 7.5 million, while earning numerous accolades from national travel and lifestyle publications.
A respected advocate for the travel industry, de Schaun also served as Chair of the Texas Travel Alliance during the COVID-19 pandemic and was later awarded a lifetime board position for her leadership. She was named the organization’s Advocate of the Year for her work with the Texas Legislature and, in 2023, was honored by the Texas Senate for her contributions to the state’s tourism industry.
Most recently, she led the Lone Star Coastal Alliance, a multi-county collaboration working to establish the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area and elevate the Upper Texas Coast as a nationally recognized outdoor recreation and heritage destination.
“I am honored to join Visit South Padre Island and to work with a passionate community that understands the importance of preserving and celebrating its natural beauty,” said de Schaun. “South Padre Island is one of Texas’ most iconic coastal destinations, and I look forward to working with local leaders, businesses, and residents to build on that success and create even more opportunities for sustainable tourism and economic growth on THE ISLAND.”
A fluent Spanish speaker, de Schaun brings a multicultural perspective to her leadership—a trait mirrored in her personal life with her Brazilian-born husband and their two dogs.
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About South Padre Island
With miles of pristine shoreline and clear emerald water, South Padre Island is Texas' only tropical island paradise. Calm weather and more than 300 days of sunshine make South Padre Island a year-round destination offering a variety of nature tourism attractions, water sports, and activities for the entire family. For more information, visit www.visitsouthpadreisland.com.