From being born blind to a career in children’s literature to her current role as Director of Tourism, Shan Stout’s life, and career has been one of whimsy, adventure, perseverance, and joy. 

“I was born three and a half months early because my mom was in a fire and had to jump from a second-story window causing her to miscarry. The doctor resuscitated me by giving me mouth-to-mouth through a straw,” Stout reflected. “And he said, ‘If she lives until the morning, we’ll send her to Vanderbilt.’ I was in Vanderbilt for almost a year, and they finally sent me home to my family who had to learn how to navigate a child with special needs. As I started to crawl and walk, the doctors suggested an experimental surgery to help me see shadows, but I kept failing all the pre-surgery tests. On the last opportunity to move forward, the doctor told my mother, ‘Her eyes are completely healed.’ My mom didn’t believe him, and she was mad at him for getting her hopes up. But, once we were back home, I crawled over and picked up a needle out of the carpet that had dropped while she was sewing a button on my dad’s work uniform and handed it to her. She knew then I could actually see for the first time in my life.” 

From birth it seems, Shan has shown tenacity and a will not easily broken by circumstance or odds. As a community leader, she has cultivated a culture of empowerment and collaboration, along with a desire to lead together not alone. 

Shan’s diverse professional career, ability to adapt, and familial interests combined to form the perfect preparation for her current role. 

She stated, “I started out in publishing. I was a children’s book illustrator and traveled the nation for 11 years. After that, I wanted to stay home and raise a family, but my local hospital reached out and asked, ‘Would you be willing to be our Director of Marketing?’ So I started working for St. Thomas for what was originally meant to be a one-year period. 11 years later, I was the Director of Marketing for almost all the hospitals under their umbrella. Then, after COVID, I decided I wanted to market something happier, because it was a very sad time in healthcare, and around that time, the Director of Tourism position became available here. So, I came on as the Director of Tourism almost three years ago. I thought it was going to be difficult to transition but because I had watched and learned from my mother who had been with the Chamber of Commerce for DeKalb County for 30 years (Smithville-Dekalb County Chamber Director Suzanne Williams), it actually ended up being a very smooth transition. I already knew all the state contacts and all the chamber contacts, I knew everybody. It felt like I was coming back to my peers. It was incredibly easy and natural.”

Now settled into the position, Shan is ready to lead the area through revolutionary changes in the look and reach of Upper Cumberland tourism. 

“We at the Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors Bureau now report directly to Putnam County and Mayor Porter. He has been amazing to work with. We also have a strong partnership with the state of Tennessee and the Tennessee Department of Tourism, and because of that, we are able to bring a lot of innovative things to Putnam County. The Convention Center is coming which will house the Jessica Rector Clark Welcome Center and the Expo Center is breaking ground, both of which are under our wing. We’ve also taken over the Putnam County Fairgrounds.” She continued, “We’re growing and so is our responsibility. Current data shows that $184 million in visitor spending happens in Putnam County each year. This correlates directly to property tax relief. Putnam County residents get tax relief on their property taxes if I do my job well. The harder I work and the harder my staff works, the lower our property taxes are.” 

Shan knows that without a powerful team and visionaries before her, the trajectory of tourism would look very different.

She stated, “I wouldn’t be able to handle or effectively help lead Putnam County through the exciting changes I mentioned before without my incredible staff. From Taylor Plush who handles retail and inventory, to Tessa Davis our Marketing Director, to Izzy Davis who runs the front store, I truly have the best staff imaginable. Taylor will be taking over the inventory responsibilities at the new Welcome Center. Tessa is busy setting up kiosks at both the Visitors Shop and the Welcome Center that will develop itineraries and send them directly to visitors’ phones so that they can literally plan a vacation and add things in real-time. Links to stops and directions will then be sent as part of the itinerary to guide visitors on their routes. Izzy will continue to carry the weight of the original shop with her unmatched enthusiasm and kind approach. The dedication the staff has shown and continues to show to the growth of Putnam County and surrounding areas is an inspiration each day.” Stout noted, “I also want to add that none of this would be possible without the foundation laid by Molly Brown (fellow Influential Person and current Tourism Recovery Coordinator at Upper Cumberland Development District – UCDD). She poured her heart and talent into making the Visitors Shop a reality and we’ve been honored to build on the vision she had for tourism in the Upper Cumberland.”

As a former entrepreneur, Stout brings a unique perspective on tourism to her position, viewing it as a means of connecting visitors to the lifeblood of the community, small businesses. 

On this she stated, “What means the most to me is the relationship I have with small businesses here. I once owned a small business (Tennessee’s first all-digital photography studio), so I understand what it’s like to have a small business on a square. Every customer is important to your bottom line, so I get it, and I think that I’ve maybe earned their respect in the fact that I know what drives them because I’ve been in their shoes. When you walk in someone’s shoes, you can protect them, lobby for them, and have their best interest at heart, not in a perceived way, but a real way. I want the businesses to know how much they mean to us and how much we’re here to support them.”

From her work at the Visitors Bureau to her partnership with UCDD and WCTE-PBS on the travel show “Wish You Were Here,” to her daily work celebrating the people and businesses of the area with realtor, gifted musician, and biggest supporter husband Sam, “Mr. Stout” in tow, Shan Stout is a dynamo of positive change, collaborative outcomes, and growth. 

In her typical deferential style and to conclude our interview, Shan expressed gratitude to the partners and groups that are working alongside her to enhance tourism and make the Upper Cumberland a happier place to live and play. 

“We have so many wonderful partners like CityScape, all our community partners and civic groups, Parks and Recreation, and Leisure Services. All of us work together to make our community stronger and better. By doing more to create a good experience for visitors, you also contribute to the quality of life for locals. It’s very important when you live somewhere that you have things you love to do available just around the corner. Clean parks to play in, entertainment for your children that is safe, and good, locally-owned retail and dining options combine to make a more appealing travel destination and a better place to call home. I’m honored to dedicate my life to making this a reality for the people of the Upper Cumberland.”

Thank you, Shan Stout. You’re the perfect cover for this edition of Influential People and someone who truly does make Cookeville a place we’re proud to call home. 

– written by Andrew Buckner, photos by Abby Weeden