Livingston County Welcomes New Tourism Director
Livingston County named Ashley Freeman-Comeau as its new director of tourism, effective September 8, 2025.
Freeman-Comeau brings more than 20 years of business development, brand management, and event-planning experience to the role. Most recently serving as director of commercialization for the food startup Rip Van, she oversaw consumer research, managed profit and loss accountability, and helped launch more than ten product lines and 40 product extensions over the course of three and a half years. Before that, Freeman-Comeau spent nearly two decades with Welch’s in Concord, Massachusetts, working in operations and research and development.
A graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology, Freeman-Comeau holds a bachelor’s degree in packaging science and is also a certified Project Management Professional.
Among her priorities as tourism director, the Avon native aims to increase visitation across the County by celebrating the area’s natural and cultural resources, while supporting local business and community partners.
“As tourism director, my primary goal would be to position Livingston County as a premier destination that attracts visitors, while also strengthening the local economy and supporting community pride,” she said. “That means focusing on strategic marketing, building strong partnerships with local organizations and businesses, and enhancing the overall visitor experience.”
After 15 years spent living in Boston, Freeman-Comeau said she returned with a renewed love for the region, which inspired her to pursue this new role.
“I came back with a whole new appreciation for what we have here, the landscapes, the communities, and the quality of life,” she explained. “Sometimes you don’t fully realize how special a place is until you’ve been away for a while. Now that I’m back, I want to put my professional experience to work to help share that story and showcase everything Livingston County has to offer, both to visitors and to the people who live here.”
Outside of the office, Freeman-Comeau enjoys running and is looking forward to completing her tenth half marathon next year. She enjoys time spent with family, especially car rides on backroads with her father. She is also the co-founder of the Avon Holiday Spectacular, where she has led event planning, community outreach, and promotional activities since the celebration’s first year in 2018.
About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.