The Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau has hired Angela McDermott to fill its marketing and group sales coordinator position.

McDermott has a a degree in communications and has had tourism experience, as well as fundraising, marketing and a host of public relations experience.

In her roles as Miss Austin 2005, Miss Twin Cities 2008 and the current reigning Miss Minnesota, McDermott will do a “wonderful job helping my staff and I represent Austin and southeast Minnesota well with our tour operators and motorcoach groups,” said Cheryl Corey, CVB director.

“She’s an Austin native and always brags on her hometown in all her celebrity appearances,” Corey said.

The position was open due to the resignation of Beth Altergott, current marketing coordinator, who will soon be relocating to Atlanta because of her husband’s transfer with the Hormel Foods Corp.

“Altergott has been with the Austin CVB for 2 1/2 years and has done a great job. She will be assisting in the training period for Angela,” Corey said.

McDermott’s work schedule will be fitted around the personal appearance commitments she has throughout the state as Miss Minnesota through the end of this June, according to Corey.

“I’m very excited,” McDermott said of the new job.

She has been making personal appearances at area schools since the Miss American pageant in Las Vegas last month.

McDermott continues to promote higher education goals through efforts, such as reading to students in schools.

McDermott said her public appearances in the last several years give her an insight into the greater Austin business community.

She is looking forward to transitioning with the CVB’s Altergott to help her acclimate to the new job.

Looking ahead, McDermott said, “There are lots of tourism opportunities in Austin and the surrounding area to utilize.

“I wonder how many people in Austin know there are opportunities to enjoy right here in Austin — maybe walking tours of the city — that they may not be aware of themselves,” she said.