�I chose Mickey for Deputy Secretary because he possesses the expertise needed to build Pennsylvania�s tourism industry,� Secretary Yablonsky said. �Tourism is an economic-development and community-building tool that has far reaching effects on Pennsylvania�s economy. Mickey�s overall understanding of the travel and tourism industry will be an asset to the Commonwealth.  Mr. Rowley has extensive private industry background furthering governor Rendell�s commitment to bringing business expertise to the state�s business department�

As Deputy Secretary, Rowley will serve as the Secretary�s top representative to the travel and tourism industry.  Rowley will oversee the daily administration and operations of the Pennsylvania Tourism, Film and Economic-Development Marketing Office and promote business and consumer travel in the Commonwealth.

Rowley has served as Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for five years, during which he has helped secure permanent tourism and marketing funding through hotel tax legislation in Philadelphia. He also served as director of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation and was an advisor to the Philadelphia Film Society.

Rowley earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976 from the University of Notre Dame. He began his 25 year career in hotel sales and management in Washington DC in 1978 where he served as director of National Sales and director of Development Marketing for the former Guest Quarters Hotel Company.  He later joined Hospitality Partners, Washington DC�s largest private hotel management company where he served as opening general manager of the Embassy Suites Chevy Chase Pavilion.  He moved to Philadelphia in 1992 to open the Embassy Suites Hotel in Center City.  Rowley retains an interest in the Carousel Resort Hotel and Condominiums in Ocean City MD.

The Tourism, Film and Economic-Development Marketing office within DCED is comprised of strategic marketing, domestic and international tourism, and also offers two funding programs to promote tourism within the Commonwealth.  Tourism is Pennsylvania�s second-largest industry, and the Commonwealth invests a significant amount of time and resources in developing tools to assist in creating the deepest possible understanding of this vital industry.