Today, we get to meet Casey Ferry, executive director at the Warren County Visitors Bureau.

For Ferry, Warren County isn’t just a dot on the map–it’s a way of life. As the director of the Warren County Visitors Bureau, Ferry has spent the past three years passionately promoting the region’s natural beauty, unique attractions, and welcoming community. And while she may have been born in Pittsburgh, it’s clear that Warren is–and always has been–home.

“I’ve lived in Warren County for most of my life,” Ferry shared. “I was born in Pittsburgh but moved here as a small child when my dad was transferred. We left for a few years to live in southern Maryland after my husband Brian and I were married, but we moved back after our first child was born. While we enjoyed living near Washington, D.C., our heart was in the mountains of Pennsylvania. We wanted our children to experience a small-town childhood, surrounded by family.”

That desire to be rooted in community has shaped every aspect of Ferry’s career. Since taking the helm at the WCVB in April 2022, she has worked to reintroduce Warren County to the world–sometimes in unexpected ways. Whether she’s snapping photos at a local trail, researching tourism trends, or setting up a booth at a travel expo, Ferry brings the same energy and creativity to every part of the job.

Casey speaking at the Trail of the Year Ceremony.

“The WCVB is the officially designated Destination Marketing Organization for Warren County, Pennsylvania,” she explained. “It’s our job to market the area as a tourist destination. That involves a lot more than people think–graphic design, research, partnerships, social media, and attending events all over the state and beyond.”

The bureau operates on a lean team of two full-time staff members, funded not by county taxes, but by hotel occupancy taxes collected from tourists.

“We are funded by the tourists themselves,” Ferry said. “We don’t receive any funds paid by local taxpayers, and many people are surprised to learn that.”

That independence gives the WCVB both flexibility and responsibility. Ferry wears many hats during her work week–graphic designer, grant writer, event promoter, researcher, and public speaker among them. She also works closely with state and national organizations such as Visit PA, the PA Wilds, DCNR, and the U.S. Forest Service to ensure Warren County is represented in broader tourism and conservation initiatives.

Ferry’s role has even taken her into the halls of state government.

Photo submitted to the Times Observer Casey in Gettysburg.

“Some days, I’m meeting with legislators and state officials. It’s important that we advocate for rural areas like ours and ensure our voices are heard.”

Despite the administrative load, Ferry still makes time for what she considers the best part of her job–exploring Warren County.

“One of my favorite things is hiking with my youngest son and taking photos for our promotions,” she said. “We love discovering places people may not even know exist. That’s actually how I found Stony Hollow Trail in Southwest Township. It’s this incredible trail that winds between beaver ponds–an absolute hidden gem.”

That kind of discovery is at the heart of her mission.

“Our goal is to shine a light on the things that make Warren County special,” she said. “We want people to come here and feel like they’ve found something extraordinary.”

Photo submitted to the Times Observer Casey and her husband Brian Ferry at Cooks Forest.

Before stepping into tourism, Ferry began her career in education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Grove City College, with concentrations in social studies and English.

“I loved teaching and probably would still be doing it if I hadn’t decided to stay home when my kids were little,” she reflected. When she returned to the workforce, the teaching job market was flooded, so she took a chance on nonprofit work.

That chance paid off. For eight years, Ferry served as the event coordinator at the Warren County Historical Society, where she planned community events, curated museum exhibits, and helped residents trace their genealogy. She also briefly served as the director of Leadership Warren County. These experiences gave her a deeper understanding of the community and its history–knowledge that informs her work today.

Since transitioning to the WCVB, Ferry has become a recognized leader not only locally, but across the state. Recently, she was elected to represent rural Destination Marketing Organizations on the Pennsylvania Tourism Coalition.

“It’s an honor I don’t take lightly,” she said. “Rural communities have different needs than urban centers, and I’m proud to be a voice for areas like Warren County.”

Her advocacy is backed by results. According to state data, visitors spent nearly $200 million in Warren County in a single year–a number Ferry hopes to grow even more.

“Tourism is a huge part of our local economy. When people visit, they stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, and shop in our stores. It benefits everyone.”

One of her proudest moments came this past winter when one of her photographs of Hearts Content was selected by VisitPA to be featured at the Philadelphia Flower Show–the world’s oldest and largest horticultural event. The image was transformed into a 5-by-9-foot billboard, framed by live plants to create a 3D scene of the Allegheny National Forest.

“To see Warren County displayed in such a grand way, in front of thousands of people–it was surreal,” she said.

Looking to the future, Ferry is currently working on a project to bring the county’s first disc golf course to life. In partnership with DCNR, the Lumber Heritage Region, and the Warren County Conservation District, the course will serve as both a recreational space for residents and a new draw for visitors.

When she’s not working, Ferry enjoys time with her family. She and her husband Brian–who she met while playing volleyball–have been married for 22 years and share three children: Alex, Natasha, and Liam.

“My proudest accomplishment is, hands down, my kids,” she said.

Alex, a WAHS graduate, recently earned a degree in Meteorology from Penn State. Natasha, a 2024 graduate, is studying Mortuary Science in Pittsburgh and working in a funeral home. Liam is a freshman at Warren Area High School and a member of the soccer and robotics teams–one of which has already qualified for the world championships twice.

“I spend a lot of time at their events,” she said. “Some of my best memories are just hanging out with them by the river, skipping rocks and wading in the water.”

Ferry is also heavily involved in the community. She sits on the board of the Warren County Children’s Museum, the PA Route 6 Alliance, the PA Wilds Planning Team, the WCCBI Chamber Operations Board, and the executive committee for Warren Worx. She sees her work as part of a bigger mission to make Warren County a thriving, vibrant place for generations to come.

“There’s so much to love here,” she said. “The people, the natural beauty, the history–it’s all worth celebrating. My job is to make sure the rest of the world sees it, too.”