Celestino Ruffini

Executive Director
P: 608-313-1360
Email

Celestino has been a lifelong resident of the Midwest. He was born and raised in central Illinois and fueled his passion for tourism in Indiana, where he graduated from Purdue University with a degree in hospitality and tourism management. He later returned to Illinois to become a strong advocate for the industry, and has since planted roots right here in Wisconsin. For seven years, Celestino served as the director of sales and marketing in Galena, Illinois, one of the leading destinations in the state. Lucky for us, he joined the Visit Beloit team in the summer of 2015 as the executive director. He is thrilled to serve the Beloit region as the chief “people connector” – ensuring consumers have the Beloit region top-of-mind, connecting businesses to one of the primary industries in the U.S., and pursuing excellence among staff and board members as we strive to be a leading destination in the Midwest.

He resides in Beloit with his wife and son, and is dedicated wholeheartedly to enjoying all that life offers.

Personally, he recommends visiting Dairyhäus in Rockton for delicious ice cream, enjoying the pristine waters of Pearl Lake in South Beloit, exploring the trail system throughout Beloit and filling up at Gene’s full-service gas station.

Matthew Bosen

Director of Sales & Servicing
P: 608-313-1366
Email

Matthew is the youngest of two brothers and was born and raised in Collinsville, Illinois. He attended Southeast Missouri State University and earned a degree in sport management with a minor in business administration. He has called Beloit home since December 2007 when he took a job with the Beloit Snappers. He has been with Visit Beloit since October of 2013. As the director of sales and servicing, his main goal is to attract groups and tournaments to the City of Beloit and to help make sure that all of our visitors have a quality experience.

Matt is always willing to talk sports and has visited almost every MLB stadium in the country. Check out his ticket collection next time you swing by the office!

He recommends catching a Beloit Snappers game at Pohlman Field, enjoying a craft beer and a great view of the river at The Rock Bar & Grill, and hanging out in Riverside Park for a free concert on Friday night!

Stacey Bodnar

Director of Marketing & Public Relations
P: 608-313-1362
Email

Stacey was born and raised in Racine, WI and relocated to Rock County in 2005 where she served for seven years as the Director of Marketing and Community Relations for the YMCA in downtown Janesville. Prior to accepting the Director of Marketing & Public Relations position for Visit Beloit, Stacey developed and managed a comprehensive marketing plan including events, fund development, blogging, media relations, communications, and graphic design to create awareness and a “voice” for Independent Disability Services, a non-profit agency serving adults with developmental disabilities. Stacey also serves on the Girls’ Night Out-Rock County planning committee, the YWCA Advisory Committee, and recently graduated from the Leadership Development Academy of Rock County (LDA) where she contributed to the development of a marketing strategy for the Milton Area Youth Center (MAYC). Stacey’s creative talents and passion for non-profits and community are sure to make her a valuable member of the Visit Beloit Team!

Stacey resides in Milton with her two children and is excited to create positive awareness of Beloit and ensure that our local neighbors and the country view our great city and the region as an exciting travel destination.

Stacey personally recommends visiting our award-winning open-air farmer’s market, enjoying lunch and music at Fridays in the Park, and indulging in a delicious ice cream cone at Northwoods Premium Confections.

Pam Garland-Gjestson

Director of Operations & Community Relations
P: 608-313-1361
Email

Pam joined the Visit Beloit team in January 2017. She is thrilled to be working in beautiful Downtown Beloit! Her passion is in non-profits, having previously worked for the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin and Girl Scouts of WI-Badgerland. Born and raised here, Pam is a true Beloiter. She graduated from UW-Whitewater with a degree in Interpersonal Communication and Environmental Studies.

She resides in Beloit with her husband, son, and three dogs, and looks forward to one day retiring on the Rock River.

Pam can be found at the Beloit Farmer’s Market on Saturdays and trivia at Bushel and Peck’s on Thursdays. She recommends eating all the chocolate at Northwood’s Premium Confections and then burning it off with a hike at Big Hill park.

David Wilson

Director of Visitor Services
P: 608-207-0551
Email

David joined Visit Beloit as the Director of Visitor Services for the Beloit Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center in August, 2017. He is excited to begin a new career after having spent 12 years at Stateline Boys & Girls Clubs.  David began part-time with the organization and also served as Program Director and most recently, Unit Director.  His next career stop was with the School District of Beloit as District CLC(Community Center Coordinator) where he was responsible for assisting the six school sites in the district coordinate their before and after school programming for the 2016-2017 school year and summer.  David’s commitment to supporting others, has afforded him countless opportunities to continue to deepen the impact that his work has had on our community.  He is very excited to serve as an ambassador for our GREAT state to visitors as well as those who call Wisconsin home.  He is a servant-leader who enjoys empowering others to realize and live out their purpose.  He is looking forward to meeting strangers, learning & promoting the “awesomeness” that only happens in Wisconsin!

ShellB Turtle

ShellB Turtle is Visit Beloit’s mascot and Snappy’s little sister (Snappy is the mascot of the Beloit Snappers baseball team.) She’s just returned from studying abroad in the Galapagos Islands and is starting college this fall at Beloit College. She is excited to join the Go to Crew promoting the City of Beloit and participating in all the fun events around town! ShellB enjoys kayaking down Turtle Creek, playing slooow pitch softball, loves shopping at the Turtle Creek Bookstore and cheering on the Beloit Snappers, of course!