CATTEY RETIRES AS DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI TOURS 

Patti Cattey, who has provided steadfast leadership for Ohio State's Alumni Tour program, will retire from the Alumni Association on July 3, 2008.

Under Cattey's guidance, the Alumni Association's tour program successfully rebounded from a post-9/11 downturn in business. Cattey took over the program in 2000 and her steady hand helped keep the program strong during a difficult time for the travel industry.

Since the 2003-04 travel season, tour attendees have increased each year. The 2003-04 season featured 462 tour travelers and that number rose to more than 1,000 in 2007-08. The 2008-09 season is on pace to show an increase for the fifth straight year.

"Patti's leadership kept our tour program steady through some very difficult times following 9/11," said Archie Griffin, president and CEO of the Ohio State University Alumni Association. "But more important are the countless strong relationships she's built with our members and tour participants. People who take our tours knew Patti well and they truly appreciated the wonderful attitude and work ethic she brought to the job."

Cattey said she felt her experiences in leading the Association's tour program would help her in her future endeavors.

"The knowledge, expertise, and relationships I've gained through my career at the Alumni Association will do much to assist me in my next challenge," she said. "While I'll miss the many friends I've made, I won't say, "goodbye." Instead I'll say, "Until we meet again.""

Cattey has been with the Alumni Association for more than 30 years, starting as a membership clerk in the business office in 1977. She later moved to the Association's Outreach and Engagement department and in that role she played a key part in the development of the Alumni Association's Student-Alumni Council.

In 1984 she moved to the tour office as a program assistant and made a steady move up the ranks before taking over the entire program in 2000.

Since then, she's led a tour program that hosts more passengers than any other tour program offered by a Big Ten alumni association. After 9/11, she helped keep the tour program strong by instituting an innovative motorcoach tour program. She's also been instrumental in developing new tours, including a popular series of tours targeted to recent graduates.

Debbie Vargo, who is currently manager of tour operations, will succeed Cattey as director of alumni tours.