Mark Ezell

As Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD), Mark Ezell is responsible for the growth strategy and overall branding of the state’s global tourism footprint. He is responsible for building national campaigns that reinforce Tennessee as a world-class destination while building better opportunities for citizens through revenue and job creation. Under Ezell’s leadership, the department has received numerous accolades including a prestigious Gold Cannes Lion, North American Effie, Ad Age A-List and Reggie Awards for “Kid Reviewed;” a Bronze Clio for “For the Love of Tennessee;” and a Yesawich Award for Marketing Excellence, to name a few. Additionally, Ezell was named HospitalityTN’ s Tourism Leader of the Year in 2021. Prior to joining Tourist Development, Ezell worked his way from entry-level to eventually serve in a range of senior roles at both his family-owned business Purity Dairies, Inc., as well as Dean Foods, a Fortune 500 Company where he focused on brand development and achieved record profitability. He received national recognition for his work on campaigns including the iconic “Milk Mustache – Got Milk?” campaign. Ezell is a seventh-generation Tennessean, born and raised in Middle Tennessee. He received his bachelor’s degree from Lipscomb University and completed his master’s degree at Tennessee Technological University. Ezell and his wife Martha have four children and five grandchildren and are active members of Ethos Church.