The Durango Area Tourism Office and its former executive director, Frank Lockwood, have issued a joint news release saying his departure was “a mutual decision based on a difference of opinion about DATO’s future.”
Carrie Whitley, chairwoman of DATO’s board of directors, said the joint news release was issued based on mediation meetings with Lockwood.
“We all want to put our best foot forward. And we want the best for Frank and for DATO as we move on,” she said.
She declined to offer other details of the mediation’s outcome or a separation package for Lockwood, saying it was a personnel matter.
Lockwood also said the news release was agreed to as a result of mediation with DATO’s board, and both parties agreed the news release would be “the public presentation” that both parties would present.
He added that other terms have been agreed to through mediation, but both parties have agreed to keep those terms private.
“We’re both pretty happy, and even though I’m no longer with DATO, I wish them the best of luck going forward,” he said.
Lockwood was terminated in January after objecting to the Durango City Council’s use of lodgers tax revenues. In November 2018, Lockwood claimed $475,000 from the lodgers tax revenues were improperly diverted from DATO’s use to fund city operations, principally Durango Transit operations.
In December 2018, City Council began consideration of replacing DATO as the tourism advertising and marketing agency for the city with another provider, a move Lockwood said at the time felt “like retaliation” for his disagreement with councilors over use of lodgers tax revenue to fund Durango Transit.
In January 2019, Lockwood was notified via email he had been terminated as DATO executive director and that the board had agreed to enter mediation with Lockwood.
Lockwood’s contract with DATO required mediation of any disputes with the board of directors and it also required that he could be terminated only for cause.
Earlier this year, Lockwood said mediation would revolve around a severance package and whether he was appropriately fired for cause.
The news release issued Friday said DATO would like to recognize Lockwood’s “enthusiasm and efforts” while he led the organization.
The news release recognized Lockwood for:
Bringing Mesa Verde National Park into the Welcome Center, which increased tourist traffic to Durango.Recognizing the importance of digital marketing and putting plans in place to promote Durango through digital adverting.Developing new partners and relationships for DATO.The news release also recognized Lockwood’s organizational skills and his work to update a number of internal documents, agreements and materials.
parmijo@durangoherald.com
