Rita D. McClenny serves as president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation, a state agency charged with marketing the Commonwealth as a premier travel destination and film location. The mission of VTC is to expand domestic and international in-bound travel and motion picture production to generate revenue and employment in Virginia.

A native Virginian, Ms. McClenny received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Fisk University. She was born and raised in Southampton County and presently resides in the City of Richmond.
Under Rita’s leadership tourism has grown 5% year-over-year and the agency has received several industry awards: among them U.S. Travel Association’s Mercury Award and Afar Magazine’s Distinguished Destination Award. Rita has been recognized as a Virginia Business Top 500 Leader in the Commonwealth three years in a row (2021-2023).

Tourism and film are instant revenue generators for Virginia. In 2023, tourism in Virginia generated $33 billion in direct spending, supported more than 224,000 jobs, and provided $2.4 billion in state and local taxes. Virginia was named a top state to both vacation and retire in 2023.