Speaker Bios3
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. Paul Pepe
Manager of Tourism, City of Thunder Bay
Paul Anthony Pepe is the Manager of Tourism for the City of Thunder Bay. Paul has an extensive public sector background in tourism including roles as both the Programming and Operations Manager at Fort William Historical Park, and both the regional Tourism Advisor and District Team Manager with the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines’ Regional Economic Development branch. Paul also has a diverse background in economic development consulting and small business ownership having formerly been involved in the tourism consulting, trucking and contracting sectors. Paul leads dozens of workshops and presentations annually, discussing tourism marketing strategies that lead with outdoor experiences, product development, tourism public policy, tourism statistical analysis and the application of web 2.0 channels for tourism marketing. Paul has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Studies from Lakehead University and he guest lectures at the University and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Tourism Program at Confederation College.
An avid kayaker, sailor, gardener and home renovator, Paul resides with his wife Bambi in Thunder Bay.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Dr. Robert Pfister
Professor, Vancouver Island University
Dr. Pfister has held university appointment in the USA and Canada. His teaching & research has focussed on attitudes towards tourism, diffusion of innovations, tourism marketing, environmental stewardship and interpretation, and entrepreneurship. He has served on the Board of Directors for destination marketing in California and currently serves on the board for Tourism Vancouver Island. His list of publications are extensive and available on his university website.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Ms. Shelly Plante
Nature Tourism Coordinator, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
As Nature Tourism Coordinator for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Shelly Plante finished the Great Texas Wildlife Trails with the completion of the Prairies and Pineywoods Wildlife Trails East and West this year. She has been a coordinator for the annual Great Texas Birding Classic for the past 10 years, helping to develop the event, grow participation, direct over $650,000 to coastal avian habitat conservation projects through the event, and build a partnership with event co-coordinator the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory. Plante also coordinated and helped develop a new Paddling Trails Program for the state of Texas that builds partnerships between local communities, creating additional sustainable eco-tourism opportunities statewide. Through this program, TPWD is increasing public access to Texas waters while helping local communities build their nature tourism opportunities.
Plante has given presentations for over a decade to local, national and international conferences on topics such as development of wildlife and birding trails, marketing local businesses and communities through nature tourism, developing a canoeing and kayaking trail, avian habitat conservation through birding trails and activities, and landowner workshops on nature tourism. Conference speaking engagements include sessions and programs at Watchable Wildlife Annual Conferences, the ANGADI National Meeting (an organization of landowners in Mexico), Southeast Partners in Flight Annual Meeting, Texas Travel Industry Association’s Annual Summit, Texas Trails Network State Conference, Bird Conservation Through Education: A National Gathering, as well as many Texas-based landowner workshops, naturalists presentations, Audubon presentations, community development seminars and more.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Paul Radchenko
Tourism Development Coordinator, Alberta Ministry of Tourism, Parks and Recreation
Mr. Paul Radchenko has more than fifteen years of professional experience in tourism academia having taught at the University of the Fraser Valley, University of British Columbia and most recently at Medicine Hat College where he coordinated the Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership degree program for the past 6 years.
He has special research interests in ecotourism, sustainable tourism, natural resource management, outdoor recreation, and community tourism development. He has incorporated these interests on a wide range of tourism projects in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors in the US, Canada, Mexico and Australia.
Paul is currently employed by the Alberta Ministry of Tourism, Parks and Recreation where he works with federal and municipal jurisdictions, Alberta provincial departments, and various tourism stakeholders to promote tourism as an appropriate use of public and private land.
His biggest challenge as the industry develops has been working with provincial land managers and industry stakeholders to develop and represent sustainable tourism positions during land and integrated resource management policy, planning and implementation processes.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Stephen Regan
CEO and President, Council of Tourism Associations of BC
Stephen Regan joined COTA in October 2007, bringing more than a decade of association management experience to the organization. Stephen was recently the Manager of Destination Development with Tourism Vancouver, where he played a key role in building a province-wide coalition that prompted the B.C. Safe Streets legislation, and assisted in the securing of TransLink’s support for the Canada Line. In addition, he has been the catalyst for advancing the idea of a province-wide accessible tourism initiative, and was instrumental in the establishment of both a Lower Mainland Tourism Roundtable and a Provincial Destination Marketing Organization Roundtable.
Stephen holds a Bachelor of Science degree from McGill University and a post-baccalaureate in environmental science. He is also a Planning Commissioner with the City of Vancouver.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Michael Robbins
Founding Partner, The Tourism Company
Mike has been working since 1979 as a professional tourism management consultant. He has been responsible for running the Tourism Planning Divisions within large multi-disciplinary consulting firms in Canada and New Zealand. In 1994 Mike founded the Tourism Company, a boutique management consulting firm specializing in the tourism industry. His primary area of expertise and interest is in more sustainable tourism solutions and particularly ecotourism and Aboriginal ecotourism. Past assignments have taken Mike to every province and territory in Canada as well as New Zealand/Australia, South-East Asia, the Caribbean, the US, Africa, and most recently the Middle East.
Mike began working with Aboriginal communities and entrepreneurs in the early 1980’s when he was co-project manager for a Pilot Project on Community-Based Tourism Development for the Community of Pangnirtung in Nunavut (NWT at the time). Over the years he has continued to work with Aboriginal clients and businesses including Maori in New Zealand, Aborigines in Australia, First Nations across Canada, Inuit and Innu throughout Nunavut and Labrador, and Metis in Labrador. He had an early advisory role in the planning for the award winning Cree Village Ecolodge in northern Ontario. Through his 7th Generation Fund held at Tides Canada Mike has been involved with and provided funding support for ecotourism ventures for First Nations in northern BC, the Great Bear Rainforest , and Labrador.
Mike is a member of the TIAC Sustainability Circle of Influence, the National Geographic Destination Stewardship Experts Panel, and an investor in a solar technology company. Last year Mike authored a Chapter entitled Development of Tourism In Arctic Canada published in 2007 by CABI Press UK in Prospects for Polar Tourism, Edited by John Snyder & Bernard Stonehouse of the Scott Polar Research Institute.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Andrew Rothman
Project Director, Rainforest Biodiversity Group, Inc
Andrew Rothman is the founder of the Rainforest Biodiversity Group, a Wisconsin based NGO that works internationally for the protection of rainforest habitat. With this organization he spoken to thousands of people in regards to habitat and biodiversity conservation. He is Director of the Costa Rican Bird Route, which is supported by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. He has presented this project nationally and internationally including at the 2008 Partner’s in Flight International Meeting, and the 2006 Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative Annual Meetings. The project requires intimate communication with both local community leaders, landowners as well as with travel companies, tour operators and tourists.
Andrew also works as a professional wildlife educator with the WI- Department of Natural Resources, where he conducts naturalist programs for thousands of visiting students and adults annually. Here he also leads programs for the Horicon Marsh Bird Festival which is the most successful bird festival in the state of Wisconsin.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Ronald Sanabria
Director of Sustainable Tourism, Rainforest Alliance
Ronald Sanabria has worked with the tourism industry on certification, productivity, quality assurance and sustainability since 1992. He joined the Rainforest Alliance’s Sustainable Agriculture program in 1998, and two years later began developing the organization’s tourism program.
During his tenure with the Rainforest Alliance, Sanabria has coordinated projects in a dozen Latin American countries, supporting sustainable tourism training and technical assistance for hundreds of tourism businesses and community-based operations while connecting them with the marketplace. With support from the Multilateral Investment Fund, Sanabria led the creation of the Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas, which today has more than a hundred members representing 25 countries in the Americas. Internationally, he represents the Rainforest Alliance in the Sustainable Tourism Stewardship Council (STSC), the World Heritage Alliance and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Tourism Criteria.
Sanabria was the recipient of the 2008 EXPOTUR Friend of Nature Award in recognition of his efforts to promote sustainable tourism in Costa Rica.
Since 1992, he has taught at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Costa Rica. A Fulbright scholar from Costa Rica, Sanabria holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Costa Rica and an M.A. in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Edward Sanders
President, Eco Tourism International
Ed Sanders is President of Eco Tourism International, a consulting firm that prepares market assessments, feasibility studies and business plans for ecotourism and related sustainable development projects. He is a former Vice-Chairman of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) and author of The Economics and Financing of Ecolodges (TIES, 2001) and the U.S. Ecotourism Market (World Tourism Organization, 2002). He is a founding partner, did the business planning and recruited investors for a 13,000 acre conservation and ecotourism project in Belize. Following an early career as a senior U.S. Government Official, he co-founded two international business consulting firms before shifting his focus to ecotourism ten years ago. He has a Ph.D. in economics from Yale University and attended the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Ms. Andrea Schuweiler
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Minnesota, College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Andrea Schuweiler is a graduate student focusing on sustainable tourism in the Natural Resources Science and Management program at The University of Minnesota. Her primary area of interest is in empowering the tourism industry to implement sustainable practices that will also benefit their bottom line. Andrea has a variety of experience in nature and culture based tourism through research of festival attendees and as a coordinator for the 2008 Minnesota Sustainable Tourism Conference. Prior to graduate school, Andrea worked in the Caribbean with The Nature Conservancy and assisted local residents in their application of tourism as a conservation tool.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Ms. Kimberly Slicklein
CEO and Founder, Enclave Rising
With more than a decade of directing development, project management and brand strategy for international brands such as Apple Computer, Coca-Cola and Evian, and her lifelong commitment to environmental and social issues, social entrepreneur Kim Slicklein founded Enclave Rising, LLC in 2005. Enclave Rising is an international portfolio of companies rooted in environmental and social consciousness, each dedicated to developing and pioneering best practices in net zero carbon development, alternative energy, conservation, and true sustainability.
For the past three and a half years, Slicklein has identified and assembled a portfolio of diversified international development projects to be marketed under the company’s five star resort brand, Ethos Resorts and Spas. Ethos will be the World’s First Net Zero Carbon Five Star Resort brand. Slicklein is also pioneering corporate social responsibility through the Enclave Rising Foundation.
Slicklein is a frequent presenter and panel participant at real estate development, hospitality, environmental, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, educational and women’s leadership conferences. Slicklein received her BA from Princeton University and her Graduate Certificate from New York University in Real Estate Finance and Development.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Kevin Smith
President, Maple Leaf Adventures
Kevin Smith is a director of the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of B.C. and the Wilderness Tourism Association of B.C., a former ecotourism instructor, and president of eco-cruise company Maple Leaf Adventures. He holds a geography degree from the University of Victoria and negotiated for five years for the recreation community on the historic, consensus-based land use plan for B.C.’s Great Bear Rainforest. From using education (not ticketing) as his tool as a young backcountry park ranger, to communicating with proponents of logging the entire Great Bear Rainforest, to blazing a path as an ecotourism company before it was cool, Kevin’s career has shown that you can stick to “deep ecology” principles and still excel in “tough environments” if you remember that courage and education are keys to success.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Ms. Helle Sorensen
Associate Professor, Metropolitan State College of Denver
Helle Sorensen is an Associate Professor of Tourism Management at Metropolitan State College of Denver with specialties in sustainable tourism, ecotourism, and adventure travel. Her career in tourism began in Copenhagen where she issued airline tickets for round-the-world itineraries, processed international fare constructions for corporate clients, implemented creative tourism planning, and continued in London as an Assistant Manager. She has authored two college textbooks on international tourism, and made ten presentations on various topics at six regional and national tourism conferences. Since 2002, she has designed, managed, and led study-abroad trips that focus on sustainable tourism.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Phillip Steenkamp
Deputy Minister, BC Ministry of Tourism Culture and the Arts
Phillip Steenkamp is delighted to be back in British Columbia to take up the position of Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. He started out in the BC public service at the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, becoming Deputy Minister there in 1997. He then went on to serve as Deputy Minister in the Treaty Negotiations Office, the Ministry of Advanced Education, and in the Premier’s Office with responsibility for Strategic Policy and Social Development. Phillip has spent the last couple of years in Ontario as Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the Ministry of Education. It was a privilege to serve the people of Ontario, but he is happy to be back home. Phillip is especially pleased to have the opportunity to work in this wonderful Ministry at such an exciting time.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Dr. Victoria Stevens
Protected Areas Ecologist, BC Protected Areas Program
Victoria Stevens has a Ph.D. from the College of Forest Resources, University of Washington, Seattle. After working as a consultant she joined the Ministry of Environment as an ecologist. Most recently she has been working for BC Parks. Because climate change is the most significant threat to natural systems today and will shape the way that protected areas are managed in the future, Tory is focusing most of her efforts in this area.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Hank Stewart
VP, Strategic Messaging, Green Team
A Kentucky native, Hank has built a career as award-winning copywriter and creative director at numerous New York ad agencies. At Green Team, he focuses his attention on Awakening Consumers, and how they are shaping the global marketplace. His client experience includes Ecuador, VisitScotland, Dominica, Lindblad Expeditions, Puerto Vallarta, Monaco Government Tourist Office, British Air, World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, NRDC, Environmental Defense, American Cancer Society, A&E Networks, ABC-TV, Diageo, Volvo and others. Hank is an accomplished beer writer, volunteer firefighter and father of two.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Dr. Wolfgang Strasdas
Sustainable Transportation Guidelines for Nature-based Tour Operators, Eberswalde University of Applied Sciences
Prof. Strasdas, a TIES board member, is the director of the Sustainable Tourism Management program at Eberswalde University, Germany. A cutting-edge ecotourism study on behalf of the German Ministry of International Cooperation in 1995 shifted the focus of his work to developing countries around the world, where he has advised development projects, conservation agencies and local communities. Currently, Prof. Strasdas is conducting research on the interrelationship between tourism and climate change, including a sabbatical at Stanford University, covering sustainable transportation, carbon-offsetting and adaptation to climate change. He has substantially contributed to TIES’ advocacy campaign “Traveling with Climate in Mind”
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Ms. Heidi Strobl
Community Economic Development Officer, FedNor/Industry Canada
Heidi Strobl is a Community Economic Development Officer with FedNor/Industry Canada, whose work focuses on fostering and supporting strategic development opportunities in Northern Ontario. She has participated in the development of guidelines and policies that direct the federal government’s efforts to support sustainable tourism attractions, events, and businesses. Heidi has assisted with regional ecotourism conferences and presently sits on a sports tourism working group.
Heidi received her Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education degrees at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. For close to three decades, she has hiked and canoed in Northern Ontario and is partial to its vast, historical Lake Superior and Quetico Lakes regions. Appreciation for the outdoors has led to advocacy work to protect our natural spaces. Heidi is also a birding enthusiast and is a life member of the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Ms. Natalie Thiesen
Research Assistant, Ryerson University, Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management
Natalie Thiesen is a 3rd year undergraduate student in the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Ryerson University. She has worked with Dr. Graci in examining the potential for Aboriginal ecotourism in Ontario and is interested in sustainable tourism. In 2007, Natalie co-founded the Sustainable Tourism Society, a Ryerson student group, which is committed to exposing the growing need for thoughtful and responsible tourism development. She was a co-chair of this year’s World Tourism Day, an event that focused on the topic “Tourism Industry Responding to Climate Change”. Natalie has worked for Parks Canada for 3 years and has a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Winnipeg.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Clarence Trapper
Tourism Project Officer, Moose Cree First Nation
Clarence Trapper is Cree from the small remote community of Moose Factory, Ontario located at the most southern tip of Hudson & James Bay. Clarence is affiliated with the Moose Cree First Nation in which he works as the Tourism Officer in the Economic Development Program. Clarence has been in the tourism industry most of his life; first as a guide, then evolving in to a world-renowned eco-guide in the James Bay area.
Some of the developments that Clarence has been involved with are as follows: Cree Cultural Interpretive Centre – worked as director and as a guide, Tidewater Goose Camp – worked as manager and guide, Washow Lodge – currently working on the project which will be operational by the summer of 2009, and Moose Cree Outdoor Discoveries & Adventures – manager.
Clarence offers his guest a very unique look at the way of life for the Cree people of James Bay through tours and expeditions. He provides his guests with an opportunity to understand what the Cree people have been through, and where they are heading towards.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. David Udow
CEO, Ziptrek Ecotours Inc.
David Udow is co-founder and CEO of Ziptrek Ecotours Inc. in Whistler, BC, North America’s first and largest zipline tour operator. With an entrepreneurial background and passion for the environment and sustainability, David and the Ziptrek team have created lasting memories for hundreds of thousands of guests. With media accolades from around the globe, Ziptrek has become an integral feature of the Whistler experience. Beyond offering a popular eco adventure, the company is also the winner of multiple Environmental Business Awards, and blends an educational component to the tours which is built around The Natural Step framework.
David also acts as a mentor to other small business owners and often speaks to tourism and management students about his entrepreneurial life.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Dr. Scott Underwood
President, Mother Lode River Center
After earning degrees in Philosophy and Zoology at Stanford and UC Berkeley, respectively, Scott pursued a career in Emergency Medicine while raising his two wonderful daughters, Emily and Adriane, with his wife Catherine, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He is President of the Mother Lode River Center and is a founding Director of the American River Conservancy, both in Coloma.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Dr. Brian White
Director, School of Tourism and Hotel Management, Royal Roads University
Dr. Brian P. White is Professor and Director for the School of Tourism and Hotel Management at Royal Roads University. His consulting work in British Columbia has included community tourism strategic planning, cultural and arts-based tourism development planning, and First Nations eco-tourism planning. Recent international consulting and lecturing experience includes human resource policy and planning, community capacity-building, cultural tourism, and eco-tourism initiatives. An avid photographer, horticulturalist, and naturalist, he has led ocean kayaking, hiking, and mountaineering expeditions for over thirty five years.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Graham Whitmarsh
Head, Climate Action Secretariat, BC Provincial Government
Graham Whitmarsh joined the BC Public Service as Chief Advisor for Carbon Trading in April of 2007. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed the Head of the Climate Action Secretariat following an extensive public competition. An innovative, forward thinking leader, Graham has a wide range of international business experience, including six years as a CEO in the software industry. Graham has lived and worked in Europe, the United States and Canada, offering an international perspective to addressing the global challenge of climate change.
After graduating from the University of Leeds with BSc Honours in Engineering, Graham pursued a career in the Royal Navy as a warfare Officer in Nuclear Submarines. During his time in the Royal Navy, he continued his education at Dartmouth Royal Naval College and the Greenwich Naval College. His 17 year international business career included senior executive positions at Harmony Airways, Sabre Airline Solutions, Mercury Scheduling Systems, and British Aerospace Inc., where he gained experience guiding teams through large projects and new initiatives.
As Head of the Climate Action Secretariat, Graham’s responsibilities are critical to achieving the Province’s aggressive targets of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 33 percent by 2020 and making the government of British Columbia carbon neutral by 2010. Graham has built a world-class team of professionals from business, government and the environmental movement to help meet these ambitious goals.
Graham will consult with the public, industry, First Nations, environmental groups, other levels of government and BC government employees to bring new and innovative ideas forward to help British Columbia meet the challenge of tackling climate change.
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. Randy Williams
COE and President, The Tourism Industry Association of Canada
Randy Williams started his position as President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada in January 2002, bringing with him more than three decades of tourism and travel experience, including hotel management, human resource development and education, tourism planning and destination marketing. Before assuming leadership of TIAC, Randy was President and CEO of the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies, which he successfully transformed from a federation of associations into a single national organization with regional offices. He also served as the first President and CEO of Tourism Saskatchewan, Canada’s first private-public partnership model for tourism marketing at the provincial level, building on 20 years of experience in the hotel industry, where he managed major hotels across western Canada. Randy’s diverse and continuous career in tourism has given him a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing tourism in Canada, and he is well equipped to address new realities. He is a strong advocate for the development and enhancement of tourism as a key economic sector, and plays an important role in representing the interests of the Canadian tourism sector to the federal government, other organizations and the general public. He is committed to ensuring that the voice of Canadian tourism is heard loud and clear. A recognized leader of Canada’s tourism sector, Randy believes that every person will be judged by his or her contribution to others. He also suggests that we need more leaders, and more followers, and fewer people in the way!
Where I am presenting at the ESTC 2008
Mr. William Young
Senior Research Engineer, Florida Solar Energy Center – UCF
Bill Young, research engineer, joined the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in 1990. He has a Bachelor Science in Engineering Sciences majoring in Electrical from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. He worked as an electronic engineer at General Electric Company prior to FSEC. At FSEC, his research started with photovoltaic (PV) power applications and has studied integrating PV systems into buildings, including stand-alone and utility interactive system development. A long term research project has been the application of photovoltaics to disaster relief efforts and emergency management operations in hurricanes such as Andrew, Opal, Georges, Charlie and Katrina. Presently, he is working on applying renewable energy to the tourism industry.
