COLUMBIA (WACH/AP) -- The South Carolina tourism lobbying group whose president killed himself earlier this year is set to announce its new leader.

The South Carolina Hospitality Association says it's naming a new president during a news conference Thursday.

Tom Sponseller founded the group more than two decades ago and served as its public spokesman and chief lobbyist.

Authorities said Sponseller shot himself to death in February. In a suicide note, Sponseller said he was despondent after discovering that the association's accounting director had embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from the group.

Rachel Duncan was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion and wire fraud charges. Authorities have drawn no link between Sponseller and the missing money.