Havelock tourist center gets new manager

Amanda Ohlensehlen sees the Havelock Tourist and Event Center as a grand facility.

So, the new sales manager of the center wants to see residents use it more.

"I hope to spread the word to get people to take advantage of this new facility," she said of the center, which opened in 2002.

Ohlensehlen takes over for Karen Rochon, who resigned in May to take a job at Cherry Point. She will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation and upkeep of the tourist center.

Ohlensehlen, 25, is a graduate of the University of Missouri and has a degree in business administration with an emphasis on marketing.

She is married to Jacob Ohlensehlen, who just resigned in May after 10 years in the Marine Corps working in the communications field.

"I have sales experience and I am excited to bring new groups and organizations in to use the center," Ohlensehlen said.

She previously worked for Next Media Group of New Bern in the two years that she has lived in Havelock.

In addition to the main hall of the tourist center, there are numerous small meeting rooms that Ohlensehlen said would make excellent locations for businesses to hold company functions.

She said that she wants to encourage residents to consider the event center as a place to hold weddings, anniversaries and other events.

Ohlensehlen rose to the top of the heap of 50 applicants for the job.

"This is right up my alley," she said.