Kevin Langston meeting with representatives of media outlets in Beijing.

Kevin Langston is to replace Charlie Gatlin, currently deputy commissioner for tourism and marketing at the Georgia Department for Economic Development, when Mr. Gatlin retires on Dec. 1 at the end of 20 years of service to the department.

Mr. Langston has served as assistant commissioner for the tourism division since May 2007. He has served in many other posts at the department as well, including director of international operations and director of projects with the responsibility of managing the state’s 10 offices around the world.

He previously served as assistant deputy commissioner for the tourism division and was responsible for marketing, sales and product development initiatives. Additionally, he has served as director of communications and filled several roles in the International Trade Division.

Mr. Langston recently has focused on attracting Chinese tourists to Georgia. GlobalAtlanta was unable to reach him for comment on Oct. 30 because he was returning home from his most recent visit to China.

Mr. Gatlin currently is the executive director of the Georgia Allies, which was created in 1997 as a partnership between state government and private corporations designed to lead economic development marketing efforts.

The department also announced that Greg Torre has been named director of the marketing and communications division. Mr. Torre, a member of the board of the Georgia Economic Developers Association, is to be responsible for the Global Georgia international marketing program, and other marketing initiatives.