An Olympic track star described as an “exceptional ambassador” for the island has left the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

Hazel Clark was said to have played a key role in attracting diverse opportunities as the BTA’s director of global business development and partnerships until she resigned last month.

Her departure was described yesterday by a former chief executive of the tourism authority as “a significant setback for Bermuda’s tourism recovery”.

Ms Clark joined the quango in July 2018 as the organisation’s first director of sports business development. Her LinkedIn profile said she was promoted to her latest role in May 2021.

Her resignation was understood to have come in the week before Christmas at about the same time as another employee gave notice of their intention to resign.

Questions about the departures were sent to the BTA last week, but no response was received by the time of publication. A statement from the quango, which was allocated a $16.54 million grant in the 2024-25 Budget, is expected by tomorrow.

When contacted by The Royal Gazette, Ms Clark declined to comment.

Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, said on Thursday: “I have not received official notification from the BTA about Ms Clark's employment status and have reached out to the BTA board seeking a full update on this matter.”

Charles H. Jeffers II, who was the BTA chief executive between April 2021 and June 2022, said yesterday: “Losing Hazel is a significant setback for Bermuda’s tourism recovery.

“The success of group business hinges on strong relationships built on trust and stability, both of which Hazel exemplified.

“Her departure represents the loss of invaluable connections that will be extremely challenging, if not impossible, to rebuild.”

Ms Clark represented the United States three times at the Olympics as an 800 metres runner, finishing seventh in the final at the 2000 Sydney Games, and was a seven-times national outdoor champion.

She worked with her contacts in sport to attract to Bermuda the Elite Athlete Summit hosted by USA Track and Field’s Athletes Advisory Committee within three months of joining the BTA.

Ms Clark continued to leverage her connections to bring events to the island, with highlights of her efforts also including the Bermuda Junior Championship golf tournament and the USATF Bermuda Games.

Hoteliers last week noted the contributions made by Ms Clark.

Clarence Hofheins, the general manager of Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa, said: “I am deeply saddened to hear that Hazel Clark has left the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

“She played a pivotal role in bringing diverse business opportunities to the island and was an unwavering supporter of the initiatives we launched at Cambridge Beaches, including the Pro Sports Golf Tournament, NFL Players Golf Tournament, Cambridge Beaches Triathlon, PGA golf groups, and more.

“Hazel was an exceptional ambassador for Bermuda and her contributions will be greatly missed.

“We wish her every success in her future endeavours.”

J.P. Martens, the managing director of Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa, said on Friday: “Hazel was a great salesperson when it comes to sports groups for Bermuda.

“We housed many of them here at the hotel and we’re really sorry to find out that she’s no longer with the BTA.”

He added: “From my experience, she was very well connected to the sports world and had many contacts, which she was able to convert into Bermuda business, so she was a great asset, as far as I know.”

Ms Clark is the daughter of the late Joe Louis Clark, who was a principal at one of New Jersey’s toughest inner-city schools and inspired the 1989 film Lean on Me starring Morgan Freeman.

The latest resignations from the tourism authority came almost four months after the Gazette reported that concerns about alleged high staff attrition and other personnel issues were being taken seriously by Mr Darrell.

He was asked then about the number of staff who left the quango in the months earlier and about claims of an unhappy workplace.

A source told the newspaper that the issues were discussed at a BTA board meeting in August attended by the minister, who is also the Government Senate Leader.

The tourism authority said then that it measured employee engagement but did not “publicly disclose specific scores”.

Tracy Berkeley, the chief executive, added later that before the Gazette report, the organisation had already announced its “intention to review and address any concerns”.

She said: “It is essential that matters of this nature follow the necessary due process.”

In September, Ms Berkeley backed her leadership team.

“It is important for me to publicly affirm my support for the resilience, hard work and commitment to Bermuda’s tourism sector that they continue to demonstrate every day,” she said.

The Gazette asked Mr Darrell last week about what update he had requested or received from the BTA in relation to the concerns raised.

He said: “There is a review under way and I should receive the outcome of this process in the next couple of weeks.

“As minister, I take seriously any concerns regarding the environment at the BTA.

“The organisation plays a critical role in Bermuda’s economic and cultural success and its staff is integral to that mission.

“I trust the board to address these matters thoroughly and to follow proper procedures to ensure transparency and accountability.”

Wayne Caines, the board chairman and a Progressive Labour Party MP, was asked by e-mail last week what update was received by the board from the BTA over the concerns raised, as well as for comment on the departure of Ms Clark.

Questions to the BTA on Thursday included what efforts were made to investigate the reasons for alleged high staff attrition and other personnel concerns, as well as what steps were taken to measure employee engagement.

The tourism authority said on Friday that a statement would be sent by Tuesday.

It has faced a number of leadership changes over the years. Since the tenure of its first chief executive, Bill Hanbury, ended in December 2016, four others have held the top job.

Kevin Dallas’s appointment as chief executive began in January 2017, followed by Glenn Jones as interim chief executive between March 2020 and March 2021.

After Mr Jeffers’s departure in June 2022, Ms Berkeley became interim chief executive and was later confirmed in the substantive position.

Several senior marketing and communications professionals, including Victoria Isley, Douglas Trueblood, his deputy, Amanda Dempsey, and Amy Moynihan, have left the organisation in recent years.

Devin Lewis, who was vice-president of sales and business development, left the BTA last February after less than 18 months.

A source earlier told the Gazette that there were two resignations in August.

The latest organisational chart for the tourism authority, dated December 2024, showed five vacant posts — not including the two resignations last month — out of 42 in total.