John Mills

John Mills, CDME

Executive Vice President

JohnMills@ExploreCabarrus.com
704-456-7962

Prior to becoming the Executive Vice President of the Cabarrus County CVB, John Mills served on the organization’s Board of Directors from 2006 to 2008. Before joining the Bureau full time in 2008, Mills spent 15 years in retail in Louisiana, Texas and North Carolina. Most recently, he was the General Manager for Bass Pro Shops at Concord Mills. His primary roles at the Bureau include Finance, Human Resources, Research and Operations.

John earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance at Louisiana Tech University.  He also received a Human Resource Certificate through the Employers Association based in Charlotte, NC. John serves on the Hickory Ridge High School Academy of Hospitality and Tourism Advisory Board. He is also an active member with Destinations International (DI), and became a Certified Destination Management Executive (CMDE) through DI in 2018.

John has been instrumental in establishing the Bureau as an independent 501(c)6 organization, relocating the offices and visitor center in 2011, guiding the organization to achieve accreditation through DI, and playing a large role in the development and implementation of the county’s wayfinding system.

In August 2014, John’s contributions to the Bureau were recognized as he received the Charlotte Business Journal’s CFO of the Year Award for small – mid-sized government or nonprofit organization.

Jessica McDonald

Jessica McDonald

Finance Manager

JessicaMcDonald@ExploreCabarrus.com
704-456-7969

Prior to joining the Cabarrus County CVB in January 2018, Jessica McDonald built her experience in customer service, administrative and financial roles with Food Lion Corporate, CVS Pharmacy and BI-LO. After serving as the Cabarrus County CVB’s Accounting Coordinator, Jessica was promoted to her current role of Administrative Manager in January 2022.

Jessica is a native of Mount Pleasant, North Carolina and graduated from North Carolina State University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and concentration in Finance. In 2015, she earned an Associate in Arts degree from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

Julie Henderson

Julie Powers

Administrative Manager

JuliePowers@ExploreCabarrus.com
704-456-7963

The Cabarrus County CVB welcomed Julie Powers as Administrative Manager in February 2023. Her professional experience prior to joining the Bureau included serving as Recreation Activities Intern with Marriott Vacations Worldwide for Ocean-Watch Villas at Grande Dunes and Sheraton Broadway Resort Villas in Myrtle Beach, SC. She also held the roles of Spa Receptionist at Ritz-Carlton Spa in Charlotte and Costuming Assistant with the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL.

Powers graduated from Appalachian State University in May 2021 earning a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management with a Concentration in Commercial Recreation and Tourism Management, and a minor in Hospitality and Tourism from ASU’s Walker College of Business. In December 2022, she graduated from the University of Florida with a Master of Science in Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management.

Throughout her professional experience, Powers was named a Marriott Interns Innovative Idea Top 20 Winner and earned the Ritz Carlton First Class Award – Recognition of System Migration Assistance. She is also a member of several professional organizations including the North Carolina Parks & Recreation Association and The National Society of Leadership and Success.