FRANKLIN, Tennessee – Visit Franklin, the public-facing brand of the Williamson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, has welcomed four new members to its Board of Directors: Lacie Simonton of Choate Construction Company, Walter Denton of the City of Franklin, Tom Tunnicliffe of the Williamson County Commission, and Johnny Weber of The Weber Bros Hospitality. The additions bring fresh perspective from construction, city government, county leadership, and hospitality to the organization charged with promoting tourism across Franklin and the eight communities of Williamson County.
“I am thrilled to welcome four incredible new voices to our board,” said Maureen Thornton, President and CEO of Visit Franklin. “Lacie, Walter, Tom, and Johnny each bring a wealth of experience and a passion for this community, and together they reflect the kind of partnership that makes Williamson County thrive.” Thornton added, “Their insight will be invaluable as we continue our work to showcase all that makes Williamson County such a special place to visit.”
Lacie Simonton, Choate Construction Company
Simonton brings a background in nonprofit communications and leadership to the board and currently serves as director of business development for Choate Construction Company in Nashville. She is active on several community boards, including CREW Nashville and the 21st District Recovery Court, and her expertise has been tapped for a variety of task forces and working groups supporting community development. Simonton is a Franklin resident and a graduate of Leadership Middle Tennessee’s class of 2025.
Walter Denton, City of Franklin
Denton serves as assistant city administrator for community and economic development for the City of Franklin, a role he began in 2025 overseeing the city’s planning and sustainability, engineering, and building and neighborhood services departments. He additionally brings 33 years of local government leadership experience, including 23 years as city administrator for O’Fallon, Illinois.
Tom Tunnicliffe, Williamson County Commission
Tunnicliffe serves as business development manager for United Communications, focusing on government relations, economic development, and strategic partnerships across Middle Tennessee. A Williamson County resident for 35 years, he is serving his third term as Williamson County Commissioner for District 7 and is active with Leadership Brentwood, the Williamson County Fair Board, and Brentwood Noon Rotary. Tunnicliffe, an Ohio State University alumnus, is also a Kansas City Barbeque Society judge.
Johnny Weber, The Weber Bros. Hospitality
Weber is an entrepreneur and hospitality visionary whose Weber Bros. portfolio includes some of Williamson County’s most recognized destinations, among them The Country Boy, The Tornado Room, Hogwood BBQ, Zolo’s Italian Restaurant, Franklin Juice Café, Davis General, and Gray’s on Main. He got his start in 2008 as an area developer for Sport Clips Haircuts, helping open more than 180 locations, and today also owns multiple 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee locations and Prime IV Hydration & Wellness spas throughout the region. Weber leads Weber Bros. alongside his father, Eugene, and his sons, Cole and Tanner, continuing a family legacy centered on hospitality and community.
Simonton, Denton, Tunnicliffe, and Weber join a Visit Franklin Board of Directors that includes: Chairperson, Brandy Blanton, City of Franklin alderman, Sharon Hatcher, Hatcher Family Dairy, Matt Lahiff, Franklin Marriott Cool Springs, Jennifer Mason, secretary, Williamson County Commission, Mayor Ken Moore, City of Franklin, Justin Foster, The Harpeth Hotel, Matt Largen, Williamson Inc, Bari Beasley, Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, Hitesh Patel, treasurer, Halifax Hospitality, Dan Preston, Chartwell Hospitality, Tom Rybak, immediate past chair, Hilton Suites Brentwood, Allen Arender, Holladay Properties/Factory at Franklin, Lee Kennedy, vice chair, Leiper’s Fork Distillery, and Alma McLemore, African American Heritage Society.
Together, this board of directors provides governance and supports strategic direction to help the organization achieve its vision of helping Williamson County.
In 2025, Williamson County welcomed an estimated 8.83 million visitors to the county, whose spending contributed $3.79 million daily to the local economy. That totaled $1.38 billion in direct visitor spending for the year, a 1.3% increase over the prior year, and once again ranking No. 6 among Tennessee’s 95 counties. Because of the tax revenue visitors generate, each household in Williamson County pays $1,621 less in combined state and local taxes, which is $443 above the statewide per-household average.
Specifically, visitor spending throughout the county generated $93.4 million in state and $56.2 million in local tax revenues, of which $18.79 million went directly to Williamson County public schools. The injection of money into the local economy also helped the industry add 179 new jobs in 2025, bringing the county’s total hospitality employment to 9,180.
ABOUT VISIT FRANKLIN Visit Franklin is the public brand name of the Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau, which is the official destination marketing organization for Williamson County, Tennessee. Visit Franklin exists to help Williamson County thrive and to positively impact the local economy. It tells fuller stories and creates experiences rooted in connection, preservation, and community. By promoting travel and supporting the local hospitality industry, Visit Franklin helps drive positive economic impact while inviting visitors to experience life to the absolute fullest. For information about Visit Franklin and Williamson County, visit VisitFranklin.com.
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