Marilyn Jones Stamps, publications manager for the Alabama Department of Tourism, has been named the 2012 Employee of the Year by the Alabama Tourism Department.

The award was presented during a ceremony at the 2012 Governor’s Conference on Tourism at the Grand Hotel and Spa in Point Clear Tuesday night.

The award was presented by Lee Sentell, tourism director.

Sentell said Stamps has been a valuable asset to the department for more than 25 years and has an uncanny tenacity for showcasing the best the state has to offer.

“No one does anything alone,” Stamps said. “I’m blessed to have always had a family who loves me, a director who has motivated me and employees who have worked with me to promote the best that Alabama has to offer.

“I’m deeply humbled by this award and so appreciative of it. It is a blessing for me to serve the state that I love, my Sweet Home, Alabama.”

Stamps is a familiar personality in Pike County, as well as around the state.

“It’s easy for larger cities like Birmingham and Montgomery to get recognition but Marilyn truly has been an asset is helping bring smaller communities like Troy and Brundidge to the forefront in the area of tourism,” said Shelia Jackson, Troy tourism director.

“She has been instrumental in helping put together brochures that highlight events in Troy and Brundidge and in providing advice for obtaining Tourism funding for these publications.”

Stamps serves as the lead coordinator for Alabama Tourism’s Road Trip campaign.

“These Alabama ‘Road Trips’ are designed for day and overnight trips and encourage Alabama residents to take advantage of all our state has to offer. These ‘Road Trips’ are tourist stops as well,” Jackson said.

Troy and Brundidge are featured among the “Road Trip” promotions and that is huge, Jackson said.

“Any time that your city is featured in a statewide publication, that’s good for your community and your area,” she said. “‘A Walk Through Time in Troy and Brundidge,’ which is feature in the Road Trip publication, will bring our communities into the spotlight. We appreciate all that Marilyn does to promote communities throughout Alabama.

“She is very deserving of this award. She loves Alabama and it shows in all that she does. We appreciate her and we congratulate her.”

Stamps has worked for the tourism department for the past 26 years and with the state for 34 years.

As the publications manager, she oversees the print and online production of the Alabama Vacation Guide, the Alabama Calendar of Events and numerous brochures, including ones for the Alabama Civil Rights Trail and Historic Alabama.

After assuming the role of calendar editor, she grew the events listing from a small pamphlet with less than 300 entries to a comprehensive 96-page guide that features more than 1,500 annual and special events.

Stamps has also been instrumental in promoting the Year of the Food, Year of History and Year of Small Towns and Downtowns.

She was recognized at the Tourism Employee of the Year in 2000 and has served on various boards and committees. She was recently appointed to the board of the Black Heritage Council of Alabama.

She is a graduate of Auburn University in Montgomery with bachelor of arts degree in public relations and journalism. She also has an associate degree in business from Alabama Christian College.