Howard Rosser was a pioneer in promoting tourism in the region. He was also a very quite and unassuming man. Shortly before the first Destination Development presentation in Marshall, Howard called and asked if would be OK if he attended the presentation. I would have begged him to come but Howard never assumed anything. He was a real gentleman. The industry will miss him.

===================== Longview News Journal story
By MIKE ELSWICK

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Howard Rosser, called a pioneer in promoting tourism in the region and the only executive director of the East Texas Tourism Association, died Thursday afternoon.

Tucker Conley, who worked with the Longview-based regional tourism group, said Rosser founded the association when it was spun off from the old East Texas Chamber of Commerce in the 1960s. The agency promoted attractions and events throughout an 80-county area of East Texas and 10 border parishes in Louisiana.