With a long career marked by leadership and community growth, Jennifer McNett has established herself as a leading expert in tourism. Since 2018, she has been executive director of the Cave City Tourist and Convention Commission, where her efforts have significantly contributed to the economic vitality of Cave City, Kentucky, and the surrounding region. Ms. McNett works closely with local attractions and business owners to identify opportunities to attract travelers. She also collaborates with movie producers and directors to bring film projects into the community.
Prior to her current role, Ms. McNett held the position of district manager for Fazoli’s from 2016 to 2018, during which she honed her management skills. Her earlier experience includes working as a part-time employee at the Cave City Tourist and Convention Commission, gaining foundational knowledge of the tourism industry.
In addition to her work in public service, Ms. McNett is an accomplished entrepreneur. In 2024, she founded Haunted Woods, a business featuring a haunted walking trail and haunted house, which quickly became a popular attraction. Ms. McNett credits her achievements to unwavering family support, focus, determination, and resilience. She has garnered a reputation for setting ambitious goals and pursuing them relentlessly, often using skepticism or doubt as motivation to push herself even further.
Ms. McNett’s academic background has been integral to her professional success. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminology from Western Kentucky University in 2010. Subsequently, Ms. McNett earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership from the same institution in 2019. Her education provided her with critical skills in leadership and understanding human behavior.
Ms. McNett’s expertise is further recognized through her active involvement in several industry organizations. She serves on the executive board of the Caveland Marketing Association and holds memberships with the Kentucky Travel Industry Association, the Kentucky Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, and the Cave City Chamber of Commerce.
Extending her leadership into civic engagement, Ms. McNett is vice president of the Southern Kentucky Film Commission. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in transforming a neglected attraction into a movie set — an effort that led to the filming of two movies, including Lionsgate’s “Gunslingers” starring Nicholas Cage. This achievement earned the Most Innovative Award from the Kentucky Travel Industry Association in 2024 for its impact on hotels, attractions and other tourism sectors. The location also hosted a Country Music Association Award-winning music video for Sony, further elevating its profile as a destination for creative projects.
Outside of her professional life, Ms. McNett is happily married and enjoys spending time with her family and traveling — passions that inspired her entry into the tourism industry. As a mother of three children — Jaren, Jacob, and Josalynn — and a grandmother to one grandson, she is deeply committed to creating opportunities for future generations.
Ms. McNett aims to expand Haunted Woods into a thriving enterprise that will serve as a legacy for her family, providing stability and opportunity for her children and grandchildren. Professionally, she remains dedicated to ongoing growth within the tourism industry, working tirelessly toward new milestones. Ms. McNett’s vision is rooted in ensuring financial freedom for her family while enabling them to experience more of life — a testament to both her work ethic and her enduring commitment to those she loves.