Speaker Bios2
Speaker Biographies
Alphabetized by Last Name
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | ZMr. Rod Harris
CEO and President, Tourism British Columbia
Rod Harris was appointed President and CEO of Tourism British Columbia upon its establishment as a Crown corporation in 1997. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and MBA, with a major in Marketing, along with Professional Certification from the Institute of Canadian Advertising.
Prior to his appointment at Tourism BC, he served as an executive with major Canadian marketing and advertising companies such as Maclaren Advertising and John Labatt Limited. He has also been a senior manager responsible for marketing leading brands of such multinational corporations as Colgate-Palmolive, Sara Lee, and Lever Brothers.
As CEO of Tourism BC, he leads the global marketing of Super, Natural British Columbia, during which time, he has served as a past member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Tourism Commission, the Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation and the Pacific Asia Travel Association.
Under his direction, Tourism BC has won Gold Medals from the Canadian Marketing Association (2001), the Pacific Asia Travel Association (2000), and the Canadian Direct Marketing Association (1998). Tourism BC was named BC’s Marketer of the Year by the American Marketing Association (1999). In addition, the Corporation was recognized by Watson Wyatt Worldwide as British Columbia’s “12th Best Employer” in 2002, and in 2004 as the Province’s “2nd Best Employer”. In 2007, Canadian Business Magazine recognized Tourism British Columbia as one of Canada’s Top 50 Employers.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Ms. Christine Houghton
Director of Parks Visitor Services, BC Parks
B.C. Parks are renowned world wide and Christine Houghton, as the Director of Parks Visitor Services since May of 2007, is very excited to be part of this organization. Prior to coming to Parks, Christine was the Deputy Director of the Environmental Management Branch in the Ministry’s Environmental Protection Division where over eight years she led several innovative projects including: the development of a new Integrated Pest Management Act; the review and revision of the Environmental Management Act; and developing a new Flood Hazard Management model in British Columbia.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Ms. Brenda Ireland
Blueprint Implementation Manager, Aboriginal Tourism British Columbia
An Anishinabe transplant from Manitoba, Brenda has been living in Salish territory for 20 years. She completed her MA at UBC in 1996 and created the First Nations Programs and Services department at the British Columbia Institute of Technology – a position she left in 2001 to establish her own company. For the past 7 years she has been working with First Nations communities and Aboriginal organizations to develop and implement social, educational and economic development initiatives, most recently with the Upper St’át’imc Language, Culture and Education Society in facilitating community based tourism. She has been Manager of Blueprint Implementation at ATBC since January 2008.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Roy Jantzen
Ecotourism Operator, Program Convenor & Natural History Instructor, Capilano University
Roy is the owner of an ecotourism company and an instructor of natural history, environmental stewardship and leadership at Capilano University. Roy’s teaching focus is through interpretation and he prefers classes to be in the field. On any given day, Roy may be donning scuba equipment to bring up sub-tidal ocean life to interpret for a class of college students he teaches, or using a driftwood ‘pencil’ to map out coastal weather systems on a sandy patch of beach. No matter what the teaching focus is, Roy will be aspiring to not just educate, but to inspire those he teaches to take the knowledge gained and use it to experience the natural world for themselves. Roy’s education includes a Masters of Environmental Education and communication and he enjoys sharing his experiential skills on environmental and climate related issues. He brings to his job a love of the outdoors as well as skills to, not only lead and organize others, but also to empower those to lead themselves.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Dr. David Jones
Associate Professor in Recreation and Leisure Studies, University of Southern Maine
David Jones received his doctorate in Recreation and Leisure Studies from the University of Oregon, his masters from the University of Minnesota and his bachelor degree from Pennsylvania State University. Currently, he serves as an Associate Professor in Recreation and Leisure Studies at the University of Southern Maine. His teaching responsibilities include courses in recreation nature/ecotourism. Dr. Jones’ research interests primarily center on employing qualitative methodology to give voice to marginalized groups. Dr. Jones taught similar courses at the University of Maine at Presque Isle where he was instrumental in establishing the International Appalachian Trail in collaboration with others.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Chief Randy Kapashesit
Chief, MoCreebec Council of the Cree Nation
Randy Kapashesit has been the Chief of the MoCreebec Council of the Cree Nation since 1987. Mr. Kapashesit has held positions as Coordinator of the Cree Village Ecolodge, Program Coordinator of the Queens-Weenebayko/Moose Factory and Consultant of the Traditional Medicine Study at the Weenabayko General Hospital. His community involvement includes serving as President of the Weenabayko Eeyou Association (Charitable Organization) and Board Chair of the Cree Village Ecolodge.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Dr. Joe Kelly
Director, Environmental Services, InterVISTAS Consulting
Dr. Joe Kelly has almost 15 years of professional experience providing strategic advisory services to public and private sector clients in tourism and transportation. His expertise is in evaluating the environmental impacts of travel and in assessing consumer responses to sustainable tourism initiatives. He is currently the Director of Environmental Services at InterVISTAS Consulting and an Adjunct Professor at Simon Fraser University. He holds a Doctoral degree in resource and environmental management and Bachelor and Masters degrees in statistics.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Ms. Diana Kutzner
Master’s Student, University of Northern British Columbia
Diana Kutzner is a second-year Master’s student at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC). She completed a Bachelor of Arts in Resource-based Tourism at UNBC in 2006. Her thesis focuses on indigenous tourism in northern British Columbia – one of the ‘hot topics’ of the current tourism industry. Interviewing industry experts as well as surveying tourists, Diana is interested in contributing to the question what types of indigenous tourism activities visitors are most interested in and the particular characteristics of these visitors. She is currently studying and researching in the city of Prince George, under supervision of Dr. Pamela Wright.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Chuck Lennox
Principal, Cascade Interpretive Consulting
Chuck Lennox develops interpretive and education plans, conducts interpretive training sessions, develops curricula and interpretive media materials. His experience includes interpretive planning and program development, working with agencies and community groups to support their training needs and providing consulting support for interpretive projects.
His past work experience includes the National Park Service, Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, a regional park system in the Seattle Metro area and now with his own consulting firm for the last five years.
Past projects with Cascade Interpretive Consulting include the Interpretive and Wayfinding Plan for the Washington Park Arboretum (interpretive planning component), developing an educational and interpretive plan for the Cathlapotle Plankhouse Project—Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge (WA), creating an interpretive manual for Whatcom Land Trust and training river guides in interpretive skills. He has also taught an on-line interpretive skills course for Edmonds (WA) Community College, an interpretive methods course for Western Washington University and a national interpretive certification course. Chuck is a certified Interpretive Trainer, Guide and Host through the National Association for Interpretation.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Rick MacLeod Farley
Principal Consultant, MacLeod Farley & Associates
Rick MacLeod Farley is a development economist with two decades of experience in ecotourism, heritage tourism and community economic development. He has worked extensively in Northern Ontario, and from Labrador to the Yukon. His consulting firm, MacLeod Farley & Associates, specializes in Aboriginal ecotourism.
Rick is a Canadian of Irish and French ancestry. He has an Honours Bachelor Degree in Economics, and has worked towards a Masters Degree in Rural Planning and Development. Rick has been extensively involved with the award winning Cree Village Ecolodge (www.creevillage.com), Washow Lodge (opening 2009) and Kamestatin Lodge (proposed).
I am presenting twice at the ESTC 2008: Session 2 and Session 5
Ms. Elizabeth MacPherson IIDA
Principal, Mithun
Elizabeth MacPherson has more than 20 years of professional experience working for hospitality-related clients. As one of the first interior designers in the country to be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited by the US Green Building Council, she has leading edge, working knowledge of sustainable interior design strategies and materials. She possesses a keen awareness of sensory experiences and how people move through daily life that results in a total integration of interior design and architecture.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Ms. Ruth Marr
President, Marr Consulting Services Ltd.
As the President of Marr Consulting Services and founder of Randonnée Tours, Ruth brings knowledge and passion to consulting assignments. A M.Sc. in Plant Ecology combined with her love of travel and active pursuits, such as cycling and hiking, allows her a unique perspective on business, tourism and the environment. With a varied career between the consulting industry and as a tour operator of over 20 years, Ruth acts on her knowledge and love of these topics every day, with a strong emphasis on practical solutions rooted in reality, whether the subject is tourism, active transportation, environmental or public consultation.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Ted Martens
Director of Outreach & Development, Sustainable Travel International
Ted Martens is Director of Outreach and Development for Sustainable Travel International (STI) and Manager of STI’s Colorado office. Ted has been working both locally and globally, helping businesses in the Rocky Mountain region mitigate their environmental footprint while also promoting sustainable tourism development throughout the world. Before joining the STI team, Ted was a researcher and instructor for Arizona State University’s Tourism Development and Management program where his work focused on ecotourism development in Central America. Ted holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Master’s Degree in Tourism Studies from Arizona State University.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Ms. Mimi Mather
Principal, Shapins Belt Collins
Mimi is the President of Shapins Belt Collins, a landscape architecture and planning firm based in Colorado that specializes in public land and heritage tourism planning. By fusing a landscape architect’s sensitivity to natural systems, cultural resources and the visitor experience with a passion for research and writing, Mimi has developed a unique approach to interpretive planning and design. Committed to inspiring stewardship and support for resources within our public and private lands, Mimi uses interpretation as a medium for engaging visitors and bolstering their understanding of the natural history, stories and peoples that distinguish an area.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Hitesh Mehta
President, HM Design
Hitesh Mehta is one of the world’s leading authorities, practitioners and researchers on ecotourism physical planning and both the landscape architectural and architectural aspects of ecolodges. Mr. Mehta is the President of HM Design a firm which he had begun in Kenya in 1991 and is currently working on four ecolodge projects in Indonesia, Belize, Dominica and Uganda, and a Conceptual Tourism Master Plan in Costa Rica. He is the main editor of the International Ecolodge Guidelines and is currently writing a new book – Authentic Ecolodges. He is the longest serving Board Member of The International Ecotourism Society and is one of the founding members of Ecotourism Kenya.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Ms. Nancy Millar
Director, McAllen, Texas Convention and Visitors’ Bureau
Nancy Millar is Director of the McAllen, Texas Convention and Visitors’ Bureau and Vice President of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. She is a recognized authority on nature festivals, and has written a text “How to Organize a Birding Festival” as well as several articles on nature tourism product development, the value of community buy-in to nature tourism, and nature festivals and their economic impact. Nancy has created and overseen the implementation of highly successful nature festivals in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley in the past fifteen years. She conceptualized, developed and managed the nationally acclaimed Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival in Harlingen and now oversees the annual McAllen International Birding Festival. In addition, she has created and consulted on many projects and events in the region that highlight nature tourism, including an internationally broadcast television series, a regional magazine and several educational programs for schools and the general public. She also sits on the board of directors of Valley Nature Center and on the Marketing Committee for World Birding Center.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Kent Morse
Master Naturalist and Operations Manger, 10,000 Islands Dolphin Project, Sea Excursions, Inc.
Kent Morse is Master Naturalist and Operations Manager of the 10,000 Islands Dolphin Project. He is responsible for the photo-identification and cataloging of dolphin and in assisting participants in the Project in photographing, observing dolphin and recording related research data.
A graduate of Ohio State University, Mr. Morse continued his education at the University of Alaska receiving his Alaska Natural Institute Level III certificate. He attended the University of Florida’ Master Naturalist Program specializing in Coastal Systems. He is a Certified Interpretive Guide.
Prior to the 10,000 Islands Dolphin Project, he was Lead Naturalist & Cruise Director for Glacier Bay Tours and Cruises in Alaska and Mexico, where he led wilderness excursions.
In 2007, Kent was awarded Outstanding Employee of the Year by the Collier County Visitors and Convention Bureau for his work on the 10,000 Islands Dolphin Project.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Ms. Beverley O’Neil
President, O’Neil Marketing & Consulting and Numa Communications Ltd.
Beverley O’Neil is President of O’Neil Marketing & Consulting and Numa Communications Ltd, both 100% Aboriginal owned and controlled. She has worked on many initiatives that have laid the foundation for Aboriginal tourism in Canada, especially British Columbia. She was instrumental in creating the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC (AtBC), and was lead consultant on the Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Blueprint Strategy for BC. A favored guest speaker, she has spoken at conferences events throughout Canada and internationally on Aboriginal cultural tourism marketing perspectives and case studies, planning and approaches to developing Aboriginal business and private sector partnerships including resource development, internet marketing, and home-based business.
