CEO of Belle of Louisville retiring

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The executive who oversaw the Belle of Louisville’s centennial celebration this year as well as improvements to the Ohio River steamboat is retiring in January.

Linda Harris has been CEO of the Belle since 2005, when the Waterfront Development Corp. began operation of the Belle.

Waterfront Development says Harris helped usher in changes such as improved customer service and a new financial reporting system.

The Belle has also gotten a complete engine rebuild, air conditioning on the Ballroom Deck, a lift to the Ballroom Deck and general reconditioning.

The Belle’s 100th birthday was celebrated in October at the Centennial Festival of Riverboats, with visitors from 47 states and seven countries.

A search for a new CEO is underway.

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