From KITSAP NEWS Reports

Come Aug. 1, Grant Griffin’s work plate will be empty. And he’s OK with that.

Griffin is stepping aside as the executive director of the Kitsap Peninsula Visitor & Convention Bureau at the end of this month.

“It’s going to be hard to leave here. I’ve been here a long time,” said Griffin, who’s been with KPVCB for 13 years.

KPVCB is undergoing a reorganization that will see the creation of a general manager position to oversee the day-to-day operations, according to a news release. The change reflects a shift in the definition of tourism to incorporate Kitsap residents as well as visitors.

He likened the general manager as the one who will “guide the ship” while the board of directors gives directions.

As for his future plans, Griffin will take a seat on the board of directors but has nothing else brewing, as he’s been too busy finishing up his work.

“I really don’t have anything going on right now. I can afford to relax a little while,” he said.

Sam Askew, acting president of KPVCB, said Griffin’s resignation is not meant as “a slight to his abilities. The new direction of the organization requires a different skill set and because of that we’ll be looking outside the current staff.”

The change was a long time in coming, as Griffin has been planning to step aside for a little longer than a year, he said.

“There’s no hard feelings,” he said. “They want to do things a little bit differently than I would.”

The KPVCB promotes tourism in Kitsap.