BRENT YOUNG – is the Principal and Creative Director of Super 78 Studios, a new media production studio in Los Angeles that has developed and produced award-winning, branded entertainment and educational experiences for the most admired theme parks, attractions and museums around the world including SeaWorld, Universal-Singapore, Busch Gardens, and the Happy Valley Theme Park in Shanghai. An award-winning director and visual effects supervisor, Young has directed hundreds of commercials, video game cinematics, attraction films, live action promos, award shows and theatrical experiences.

From audio animatronics to large scale screen projection to 3D, theme parks have embraced new technology. Brent Young is one of today’s leaders helping destinations deploy the latest technologies to enhance the stories guests experience. His innovative visual solutions result in cutting-edge, hi-tech new media rides and attractions combining digital media and animated content for the movie and broadcast industry. His work has included celebrated guest experiences like Dora and Diego 4D: Catch That Robot Butterfly, Madagascar: A Crate Adventure and Donkey Live!, Flight of the Dragon, Shamu’s Believe, Curse of Darkastle and Awards Night, among others.

Young’s work as media director for Believe, ultimately earned him the highest THEA award for Best Live Show. His role as visual effects supervisor for Busch Gardens’ 4D dark ride attraction Curse of Darkastle, also resulted in a nomination from the Visual Effects Society and another THEA for The Best Attraction of the Year.

Young’s most recently deployed the latest technology to tell the 9^th century tale of the Maritime Silk Route from SE Asia to the Middle East as part of Typhoon 360. The attraction is the centerpiece for the new Maritime Xperential Museum at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore and features a huge 360-degree multimedia theatre, where visitors "board" an Arabia-bound sailing ship docked near Singapore 1,100 years ago. Laden with cargo, the ship runs into a storm. The sea roars, the skies darken and the ship rolls, pitches and turns. Lights dim as the vessel sinks, with "passengers" also experiencing that sinking feeling as the theatre floor descends. When the lights finally come on, the ship's passengers find themselves in the depths of the ocean, up close with the shipwreck and magnificent marine life. He produced a feature for a Chinese client highlighting many national park units – which can be previewed as Flying Over America at www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=KcuDdPo0WZk.

A member of the Visual Effects Society, Producers Guild of America, and the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), when Brent is not running his production company, playing in his band, his focus is on developing three feature films, two theme park attractions, and co-hosting his podcast - www.theseasonpasspodcast.com.

Brent Young, Chief Creative Officer

Studio 78

2894 Rowena Avenue, 2^nd Floor

Los Angeles, CA 90039

323-663-7878 (p)

brent@super78.com

JAMES (JIM) LYONS – is a Partner and Co-Founder of Outdoor Solutions USA, based in Washington, DC. Outdoor Solutions USA unites several of the most successful and respected leaders on recreation, tourism and public lands issues to help clients use innovative strategies and solutions for outdoor recreation, tourism, and broader environmental issues affecting public lands. Mr. Lyons recently served as Senior Director for Renewable Energy at Defenders of Wildlife, promoting the development of wildlife-friendly and environmentally-responsible renewable energy on public and private lands and offshore in the United States. He served as a professor at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies professor from 2001 – 2003 and continues as a lecturer and research scholar. From 2006 to 2009, Mr. Lyons was Vice President for Policy and Communications of Oxfam America (OA), the international development and humanitarian organization, and served as Vice President of the Oxfam America Action Fund. He established the organization’s program on climate adaptation as well as energy poverty in developing countries. Prior to OA, Mr. Lyons was Executive Director of the Casey Trees Endowment Fund, a non-profit organization focused on increasing the tree canopy of Washington, D.C., though volunteer conservation efforts.

Mr. Lyons served as USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment for eight years in the Clinton Administration (1993 – 2001), overseeing the US Forest Service (FS) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). He led efforts to resolve the conflict over old-growth forests and the northern spotted owl in the Pacific NW, helped shape policy on national forest roadless areas, and co-chaired President Clinton’s task force to develop a new national clean water strategy. Jim played a key role in reorganizing FS and NRCS operations, reducing agency budgets and personnel toward the goal of achieving a balanced federal budget. He advanced the Forest Service’s recreation program and launched an innovative conservation partnership between federal agencies, local governments, and community-based organizations called “URP” – the Urban Resources Partnership – operating in 12 cities.

From 1987 to 1993, Mr. Lyons staffed the House Committee on Agriculture and led development of the conservation and forestry titles of the 1990 farm bill. He began his professional career as a Policy Analyst with the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Jim holds a B.S. (with Honors) in Natural Resource Administration from Rutgers University and a Master of Forestry degree from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.

James Lyons, Partner

Outdoor Solutions

1403 East Central Avenue

Edgewater, MD 21037

(443) 995-3573 (p)

jimrlyons@aol.com

MARK SAFERSTEIN - is the Publisher & Editor-in-Chief at American Park Network, a leading publisher of visitor guides to national parks, state parks and public lands. American Park Network provides no cost interpretive solutions to government partners and consumers alike by leveraging its mass-reach print and online resources, and national advertising relationships, channeling millions of dollars of donations in support of public lands. With a 25-year history, their ubiquitous little green Oh, Ranger!® guides and website are read by more than 20 million park enthusiasts each year. OhRanger.com contains a searchable online database of every federal and state public land area in America, which powers the top-rated, free Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder™ mobile app. The New York Times reported that “even if it weren’t free, Oh, Ranger! ParkFinder™ would be well worth downloading.” American Park Network is also committed to sustainability and is the world’s first carbon-free publisher. This is achieved through an innovative partnership with the National Forest Foundation, whereby American Park Network funds the planting and care of trees in national forests sufficient to sequester the carbon emissions associated with its entire operations. The organization’s commitment to conservation is further reinforced by its status as the first publishing partner in North America to be accepted as a member of 1% For The Planet, an independent nonprofit that audits member contributions to ensure that 1% of revenues (vs. profits) are donated to approved environmental causes.

Mark Saferstein, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief

American Park Network

43 W. 24 Street, Suite 11A

New York, NY 10010

212-581-3380 (p)

mark@americanparknetwork.com

CHRIS BELLAND – is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Historic Tours of America. Aside from four years at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance, he has spent his entire life in Miami and Key West. His penchant for history comes from three years as an exchange student in South America and trips to Europe during his college years. He has transformed his avocation, which is a love of history, into his vocation, which is showing off the historical importance of the six cities in which his company operates. As part of the company’s philosophy of giving back to the community, Mr. Belland also formed the Key West Attractions Association, was the first founding president of the Key West Montessori Children’s School and has served on the Boards of the Florida Attractions Association and the Key West Chamber of Commerce. He is presently a columnist for the local newspaper and his works can be seen at hindsightsandinsights.blogspot.com.

Christopher Belland, Chief Executive Officer

Historic Tours of America, Inc.

201 Front Street Suite 224

Key West, FL 33040

305-292-8920 (p)

naspinwall@historictours.com

Unifying the Parks Community and Making 2016 Count

Wednesday 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM

Keynote Speaker: Tom Kiernan, National Parks Conservation Association

Introducer: Chip Campsen, Fort Sumter Tours

Respondents: Dan Jensen, Delaware North Companies; Alexa Viets, National Park Service; Jay Watson, Student Conservation Association

Presentation: Unifying the Parks Community and Making 2016 Count, Tom Kiernan

TOM KIERNAN – is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Parks Conservation Association. He joined NPCA as president in January 1998 for what he as his dream job: heading up an independent organization that defends and protects America’s national parks. NPCA was founded by Stephen Mather, the first Director of the National Park Service, and has grown to represent more than 750,000 members and supporters through its DC headquarters and 24 regional and field offices, all working to "protect and enhance America's National Park System for present and future generations."

Previously, Tom served as president of the Audubon Society of New Hampshire and was a key official in the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Air and Radiation under President George H.W. Bush, where he won the Gold Medal for his role in achieving consensus with businesses and environmentalists on a $450-million pollution-control project at Grand Canyon National Park. He has also held positions with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Arthur Andersen & Company.

Under his leadership, NPCA has launched several programs seeking to improve the National Park System including the Center for Park Management, which provides parks with the tools needed to make efficient and effective business decisions, and the Center for State of the Parks, which uses scientific methodology to assess the health of the natural and cultural resources within the national parks.

Tom grew up in Virginia, kayaking in Mather Gorge, which is part of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. He was co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center in Colorado, and has tested whitewater throughout the United States and Africa, achieving top-ten status in the U.S. in slalom kayaking. He has kayaked through Canyonlands and Grand Canyon national parks, and Dinosaur National Monument, and climbed the Grand Tetons. Tom holds an M.B.A. from Stanford and a B.A. from Dartmouth College.

Thomas Kiernan, President

National Parks Conservation Association

777 6th St, NW, Suite 700

Washington, DC 20001

202.454.3300 (p)

tkiernan@npca.org

DAN JENSEN – is the President of DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, responsible for overseeing the lodging, food service, retail, transportation and guest services provided under contract to the National Park Service in Yosemite National Park, including such diverse locations as The Ahwahnee and the High Sierra Camps, and activities from Nordic and downhill skiing at Badger Pass to interpretative services for guests. In addition to his 20 years of Yosemite experience, Dan has served as a consultant/owner engaged in development of themed concepts domestically and internationally. He also has an extensive career in theme parks, serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Universal Studios Japan. Prior to joining Universal Studios Japan, Dan served as Executive Vice President of Universal Orlando.

Dan began his career with Price Waterhouse, headquartered in Los Angeles, where he had a large number of Fortune 500 clients and spent part of his career in South Africa. Dan holds an MBA from UCLA and a BA in Economics from UC Riverside, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Dan is on the Board of Trustees and the Council of the Yosemite Conservancy, president of the Yosemite/Mariposa Tourism Bureau, a member of the UC Merced Board of Trustees, an active supporter of NatureBridge and a frequent participant in board meetings and other activities and a member of numerous partner groups in support of Yosemite.

Dan Jensen, President

DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite

9001 Village Drive, P.O. Box 578

Yosemite, CA 95389

209-372-1016 (p)

djensen@dncinc.com

ALEXA VIETS – is Chief of National Park Service (NPS) Centennial Office. She will lead efforts to prepare for the National Park Service (NPS) centennial in 2016. She was appointed to this role following her involvement in a national town hall meeting where NPS Director Jon Jarvis outlined a centennial initiative entitled A Call to Action: Preparing for a Second Century of Stewardship and Engagement identifying 36 action items designed to connect people to parks, advance the NPS education mission, preserve America’s special places and enhance professional and organization excellence within the NPS. Ms. Viets coordinates the team of employees charged with implementing the centennial action items.

Previously, Ms. Viets was the Albright Fellow in the NPS Director’s office. She has worked for the NPS since July 2002. Other assignments include the National Mall and Memorial Parks and Washington’s Rock Creek Park where she was the program manager for the Civil War Defenses of Washington sites. She also worked for the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.

Viets was a transportation planning consultant in Philadelphia before joining the NPS through the National Park Foundation Transportation Scholars program. She grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and received a Master’s Degree in urban planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

Alexa Viets, Centennial Coordinator

National Park Service

1849 C Street NW, Room 2345

Washington, DC 20240

202-208-4530 (p)

alexa_viets@nps.gov

JAY WATSON – is Western Regional Director of The Student Conservation Association (SCA). Jay joined SCA in November 2004. His responsibilities include program and partnership development, major donor, foundation, and corporate advancement in the West, government relations, media outreach, and staff management. Prior to joining the staff of SCA, Jay spent nineteen years with The Wilderness Society, fourteen of which were in California, where he was regional director. His past positions include five years as a wilderness ranger with the U.S. Forest Service in the Trinity Alps Wilderness in northern California and three years as executive director of the Camp Unalayee Association, a nonprofit wilderness youth camp, also in the Trinity Alps.

Jay serves on the Board of Directors of the California Fire Safe Council and graduated from Humboldt State University with a B.S. in Wildlife Management. Jay and his wife Kathleen live in the Town of Sonoma, and have two teen-aged sons, Thomas and Charlie.

Jay Thomas Watson, Regional Vice President

Student Conservation Association

1230 Preservation Park Way

Oakland, CA 94612

510-832-1966 (p)

jwatson@thesca.org

Recreation.Gov and Beyond: Thinking Past the Destinations to the Journeys

Wednesday 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Keynote Speaker: David Landa, Active Network

Introducer: Pam Pitts, California Parks Company

Respondents: Lena McDowall, National Park Service; David Uberuaga, National Park Service; Diane Shober, Wyoming Office of Tourism

Presentation: Recreation.gov and Beyond: Thinking Past the Destinations to the Journeys

DAVE LANDA – heads up strategic business development for Active Network, helping define and execute overall corporate strategic objectives and negotiating and managing key strategic third-party partnerships for Active's various vertical markets. In addition to helping build upon Active's leadership position in the global activities marketplace, Mr. Landa also drives Active's national engagement efforts around federal campaigns to fight childhood obesity and get kids more active and into the outdoors. He has served on the steering committee of OAK (Outdoor Alliance for Kids), developed the Facebook application “Get Your Nature On” launched for the inaugural Let's Move Outside event on the White House South Lawn, and has led Active's delegation to the National Health Through Fitness Capitol Hill Day of Advocacy.

Formerly head of sales, marketing and business development for Silicon Valley-based SPG Solutions, Mr. Landa drove the Cloud computing voice commerce service provider's growth by over 1300% three years in a row, qualifying for Top 150 of Inc. Magazine's 2008 Top 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies. Prior to SPG, he led sales and marketing for the Asia-Pacific division of Fortune 500 company Ball Corporation, driving regional sales from $50 million to over $400 million from 1995 to 2000. Additional experience includes being Country Manager - Taiwan for Silicon Valley Technology Inc., a multinational electronics manufacturing services provider, in the early 1990s. Mr. Landa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Trinity College in Connecticut with a minor in Asia Studies, and speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese.

Dave Landa, Strategic Business Development

Active Network

10182 Telesis Court, Suite 100

San Diego, CA 92121

888-543-7223 (p)

dave.landa@activenetwork.com

LENA MCDOWALL – is the Associate Director for Business Services of the National Park Service (NPS). She oversees the National Park Service’s contracting, commercial services (including concessions operations), recreation fee, competitive sourcing, and administrative programs. Ms. McDowall has been the concessions lead and deputy chief for business and revenue management at Yosemite National Park since 2010. Between 2006 and 2010, she was the program manager for the Business and Management Group in the National Park Service Office of the Comptroller. The group developed tools that improved park financial management and provided internal consulting services to parks and programs regarding business management areas such as cost/benefit analysis, business planning, marketing plan development, cooperating association and other nonprofit partner review, and financial and commercial services strategy development. Other experience includes serving as the management analyst and then the chief of administration and business services for San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and devising a business plan for Gulf Islands National Seashore. Prior to joining the National Park Service, McDowall worked as an operations manager in the private sector. She earned a BA from the College of William and Mary and a MBA from the University of California at Davis.

Lena McDowall, Associate Director, Business Services

National Park Service

1849 C Street NW Room 2276

Washington, DC 20240

202-208-5651 (p)

lena_mcdowall@nps.gov

DAVID UBERUAGA – was appointed as Superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park in mid-2011. The Grand Canyon received National Park status in 1919, three years after the creation of the National Park Service, and now attracts nearly five million visits annually. Mr. Uberauga was previously the Superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state, a post he has held for the past 9 years. During that time he served for more than a year as Acting Superintendent of Yosemite National Park. He has spent 37 years in federal service and has been with the National Park Service since 1984. Superintendent Uberauga has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Idaho. He is the recipient of the National Parks Conservation Association's Stephen Tyng Mather Award for promoting environmental preservation in parks; the Department of Interior Cooperative Conservation Award; and the Department of Interior Superior Service Award. In 2008, he was named Federal Land Manager of the year by the Department of Interior. Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, he and his wife Barbara have three grown children, Mark, Michelle and Amy.

David Uberauga, Superintendent

Grand Canyon National Park

P.O. Box 129

Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

928-638-7945 (p)

david_uberauga@nps.gov

DIANE SHOBER – has served as Tourism Director for the State of Wyoming since June 2003, displaying a passion and zest for all things Wyoming and living out her mantra: “Do what you love and love what you do.” During her tenure, Diane has expanded the state’s tourism promotion efforts on all levels. Utilizing innate leadership talents and expertise in tourism and marketing, Diane has elevated the visibility and value of tourism on Wyoming’s economy and in turn, has watched the tourism marketing budget increase by more than 100%. Home to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, wide open spaces and the American cowboy, Wyoming is the Rocky Mountain destination of choice. With over 8 million visitors annually, tourism is the state’s second largest industry, generating nearly $3 billion in economic impacts and over 30,000 jobs for Wyoming residents.

Diane represents Wyoming on the boards of the Western States Tourism and Public Lands Policy Council, the National Council of State Tourism Directors, the U.S. Travel Association and is one of only two state tourism directors to serve on the board of Brand USA.

Ms. Shober has worked in nearly all aspects of the travel and tourism industry, including hotel sales, event marketing and management, facility management, arts and non-profit, government relations and association management. She is a founding member of Deeply Rooted Productions, a Chicago based non-profit professional touring dance organization, and also serves on the Board of Directors of Cheyenne Frontier Days. In August of 2012, Diane was named “State Tourism Director of the Year” by the National Council of State Tourism Directors.

Diane Shober, Director

Wyoming Office of Tourism

1520 Etchepare Circle

Cheyenne, WY 82007

307-777-2808 (p)

Diane.Shober@Visitwyo.Gov

Adding New Resources to Traditional Park Funding

Thursday 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM

Keynote Speakers: Scott Stevenson, Westrec; Derrick Crandall, National Park Hospitality Association; Peggy O’Dell, National Park Service.

Introducer: Derrick Crandall, National Park Hospitality Association

Respondents: Lena McDowall, National Park Service; Susan Schroeder, Grand Canyon Association; Jon Simon, Van Ness Foundation.

Presentation: History of the Chicago Harbors, Scott Stevenson

SCOTT STEVENSON – is Executive Vice President, Westrec Marina Management, Inc., the world’s largest operator and owner of marinas. Based in Encino, California, Westrec manages over 30 marina facilities in both fresh and salt-water environments, handling boats ranging in size from personal watercraft to megayachts.

Since joining Westrec in 1991, Mr. Stevenson has had direct responsibility for management of more than 25 marinas in its northern region and has supervised the construction of nearly $100 million in marina redevelopment. Most significantly, Mr. Stevenson has managed the Chicago Park District’s harbors since 1995 when the system was privatized. The Chicago Harbors include 10 harbors with 6,000 slips and moorings. During that time, revenue from harbor operations has risen from $5 million annually to over $23 million and operating income has increased from breakeven to over $13 million.

Prior to joining Westrec, Mr. Stevenson acted as President for Marina Ventures International, Ltd., an international marina development and management company. His experience encompasses developments in Hong Kong, Mexico and the United States, and includes construction, management, and marketing responsibilities. Acting as director of sister company, Marina Ventures, Ltd., Mr. Stevenson gained experience as a designer and manufacturer of floating marinas with over 250 projects constructed worldwide. Awarded a MBA from Brigham Young University in 1983, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the same university.

Scott Stevenson, Executive Vice President

Westrec Marinas, Inc.

541 N. Fairbanks Court, Suite 1020

Chicago, IL 60611

312-742-8514

sstevenson@westrecchicago.com

DERRICK CRANDALL –- is Counselor to the National Park Hospitality Association. He is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Recreation Coalition, a position he has held since 1981. He serves as Co-Chair of the Scenic Byways Coalition and the Coalition for Recreational Trails as well as Treasurer of the American League of Anglers and Boaters. He served as a member of the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors from 1985 to 1987 and was named to the President's Commission on Environmental Quality in 1991, the same year that he received the Chevron Conservation Award. He is a member of the Brand USA Business Development Advisory Group and the Western Governors Association Get Out West Advisory Group. He was also Chairman of the Take Pride in America Advisory Board, appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, and a Founding Director of the National Forest Foundation, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. He has served on several national judging panels, including co-chairing the U.S. Department of the Interior's Take Pride in America award program.

Among the dozens of public-policy programs in which he has played a central role are the National Scenic Byways Program, Recreation Fee Demonstration Program, Recreational Trails Program, Wallop-Breaux Program, and the National Recreation Lakes Study Commission. These efforts have been recognized in many ways, including induction into the RV Hall of Fame and receipt of the Annual Award of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. USA Today has described him as "the outdoor guru." He received the Spirit of Take Pride Award in October 2004 and was recognized with a Centennial Award by the Forest Service.

Mr. Crandall has served as a member of the National Park System Advisory Board Health and Recreation Committee. He also served on the Board of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for seven years, including two terms as Vice Chairman. He received ASAE's Professional Performance Award in 1980, his Certified Association Executive recognition in 1990 and was named an ASAE Fellow in 1992. He has served in leadership roles on numerous community and philanthropic organizations, including the executive committee of WOW-Wonderful Outdoor World and a deep involvement with urban Washington, D.C. youth under the I Have a Dream program. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College.

Derrick Crandall, Counselor

National Park Hospitality Association

1225 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 450

Washington, DC 20005

202-682-9530 (p)

dcrandall@funoutdoors.com

MARGARET “PEGGY” O’DELL – is the Deputy Director of Operations for the National Park Service (NPS), overseeing regional operations, the U.S. Park Police, Visitor and Resource Protection, Interpretation and Education, Business Services, Natural Resources, Stewardship, and Science, Volunteers, and Outdoor Recreation, Park Planning and more. Prior to assuming her current position, Ms. O’Dell served as the Regional Director of the NPS National Capitol Region.

Ms. O’Dell began her career with the NPS as a seasonal interpreter at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (Gateway Arch) while attending college at the University of Missouri – St. Louis where she earned a B.A. in History. In 1982, she resigned from the NPS to follow her husband, Ben, to Olympic National Park and to raise their three children. They transferred to Ozark National Scenic Riverways in 1985 and O’Dell returned to the National Park Service to manage the interpretation and education programs. She accepted the Management Assistant position at Ozark with major responsibilities in concessions and project management. Following this assignment, she transferred to Custer, South Dakota and spent two years as Superintendent of Jewel Cave National Monument.

A three and a half year assignment at Harpers Ferry Center, the media design center for the NPS in Harpers Ferry West Virginia followed where she served as the Deputy Manager. She returned to Jefferson National Expansion Memorial as Superintendent from 2004 to 2007, where her efforts focused on strengthening the working relationship with community organizations.

O’Dell graduated from the Department of the Interior’s Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program in May of 2006. As part of her training, she served a six month detail to the Washington DC-based Council on Environmental Quality to coordinate the first-ever White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation. In 2007, she was selected to serve at the Superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C.

Peggy O'Dell, Deputy Director

National Park Service

1849 C Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20240

202-208-3818 (p)

peggy_o’dell@nps.gov

Lena McDowall, Associate Director, Business Services

National Park Service

1849 C Street NW Room 2276

Washington, DC 20240

202-208-5651 (p)

lena_mcdowall@nps.gov

SUSAN SCHROEDER – is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Grand Canyon Association. She has been with the Association since July 2008. She previously held various positions at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, including the Interim President of the Northern Arizona University Foundation, Associate Vice President for University Advancement and Director of Development for Environmental and Native American Initiatives. Prior to her 18 years at NAU, Susan was a partner in a market research consulting firm, specializing in the tourism and recreation industry with clients in public land agencies and corporations. Susan is on the Board of the Flagstaff Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Arizona Community Foundation. She enjoys living in Northern Arizona, an incredibly rich natural and cultural environment. “It is a privilege to work with the GCA board, staff, our members, park employees, partners, and the broader community to support this international treasure, Grand Canyon National Park!”

Susan Schroeder, Chief Executive Officer

Grand Canyon Association

P.O. Box 399

Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

800-858-2808 (p)

sschroeder@grandcanyon.org

JONATHAN SIMON – is a partner in the Washington, D.C. office of Van Ness Feldman. He represents clients before the courts, Congress, and federal agencies on a broad range of matters involving natural resources, public lands, and energy law. Mr. Simon provides legal and strategic guidance and counsel on energy infrastructure matters including obtaining and defending special use permits, right-of-way grants, and other use authorizations needed to construct natural gas pipelines and electric transmission facilities across federal and state lands. Mr. Simon also works with entities that operate or are interested in operating visitor services — such as lodging, food services, boat tours, merchandising, transportation-related services, and outfitter and guide services — under concession contracts, permits, or commercial use authorizations in the National Park System. Success in these matters requires navigating highly specialized legal and strategic business issues and working in partnership with the National Park Service.

Mr. Simon offers a wide range of experience in this area, including preparing, and providing strategic advice relating to, responses to prospectuses for new or renewed contracts; counseling on sales and transfers of concession contracts; legislative and administrative advocacy; leasehold surrender interest issues; and litigation. In addition, Mr. Simon advises clients on compliance with the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act of 2007 and other laws and other authorities governing lobbying and political activity, including lobbying disclosure, campaign finance, and congressional gift and travel rules.

Prior to joining Van Ness Feldman, Mr. Simon served in various roles on the personal staff of United States Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ). He received a B.A. in Economics from Cornell University in 1992 and a J.D. with honors in 1998 from the George Washington University Law School, where he served as Articles Editor of The George Washington Law Review.

Jon Simon, Partner

Van Ness Feldman

1050 Thomas Jefferson St, NW, Seventh Floor

Washington, DC 20007

202-298-1800 (p)

jxs@vnf.com

Making Visions into Realities

Thursday 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Keynote Speaker: Jim Evans

Introducer: Derrick Crandall, NPHA

Presentation: Making Visions into Realities, Jim Evans and Derrick Crandall

JAMES P. (JIM) EVANS -- is a top hospitality and tourism industry leader. Jim is an acknowledged industry leader in global hospitality with 30 years of experience in domestic and international sales and marketing, management and operations. Jim is widely recognized for his ability to build and lead dynamic teams, develop clear direction, achieve measurable goals and create deep value for his organization. He now serves on several corporate boards of directors and provides consulting services.

Mr. Evans served as the initial Chief Executive Officer of Brand USA, established as the Corporation for Travel Promotion by the Travel Promotion Act in 2010 to spearhead the nation's first global marketing effort to promote the United States as a premier travel destination. He assembled a respected team of professionals to lead this effort and played a key role in the launch of the initial marketing efforts. As president and CEO of Best Western International (BWI), Jim and his team revived the brand and its market position, recruited one of the best-recognized management teams in the industry, created greater unity worldwide and set a clear direction for the future. During his career with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Jim held several executive positions including Senior Vice President of Operations and Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In his sales and marketing tenure, he initiated an aggressive international marketing effort, adding sales offices in London, Tokyo and Munich. He developed a new international marketing plan directed towards Europe, Asia, Australia and South America. By Jim’s departure from Hyatt in 1996, the company’s level of inbound business had grown from just 8 percent to 20 percent of total room. While serving as CEO for Jenny Craig International, Jim built a leadership team that took annual revenues from $120 million to $500 million and improved all key metrics. Mr. Evans served as CEO and Co-Founder of Ardent Hotel Advisors (AHA), beginning in 2006. AHA was created to provide the best-in-class resort and hotel management services to institutional and private owners.

Harnessing Technology to Connect, to Intrigue and to Share Stories

Thursday 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM

Keynote Speakers: Corey Jaskolski, National Geographic; Curtis Malarkey, Hydro Technologies; John Johnson, Verizon Wireless

Introducer: Kevin Kelly, Delaware North Company

Respondents: Terry MacRae, Hornblower Cruises; John Wessels, National Park Service; Susan Schroeder, Grand Canyon Association.

COREY JASKOLSKI – is President of Hydro Technologies, a company that engineers wireless sensors that can be used to help prevent subsea oil and gas leaks based near Denver, Colorado. He is an engineer specializing in creating technologies for some of the most challenging environments on Earth. He is currently developing new imaging solutions to help National Geographic explorers—and others—capture imagery that lets us all see the world in new ways.

Jaskolski grew up fascinated by technology and imaging. After earning bachelor's degrees in both physics and mathematics, he joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as the DuPont Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Fellow, as well as the Shell Ocean Engineering Fellow. While at MIT, he headed up the Bluefin Robotics team, developing the world's first pressure-tolerant lithium-polymer battery pack, used by autonomous underwater vehicles for ocean exploration. The battery pack was designed to withstand the crushing pressure of deep-ocean deployments without needing to be protected inside a pressure vessel. The technology was also used to power tiny remote-operated underwater vehicles that explored the inside of the Titanic. Jaskolski had the opportunity to descend to the wreck of the Titanic (12,500 feet deep) in a three-man Russian submersible to support these robotic operations.

Following these adventures, Jaskolski founded Hydro Technologies in 2002. He took a brief hiatus from the company to serve as the Director of Technology for Remote Imaging at National Geographic. Now, he splits his time between Hydro Technologies and specialized engineering projects. One of Jaskolski's latest pursuits includes the development of an ultrahigh-resolution robotic camera system. It was recently used to take the world's highest resolution underwater image in Hoyo Negro, a cenote in Mexico. Jaskolski is also creating a high-performance color night vision system; building a robotic telescope system for deep sky and solar imaging; and developing a multi-modal imaging platform that allows for simultaneous imaging in the visual, ultraviolet, infrared, and long-wave infrared (thermal) spectrums.

Corey Jaskolski, President

Hydro Technologies

9249 Eastman Park Drive, Unit A

Windsor, CO 80550

970-686-6200 (p)

cjaskolski@hydro-tech.com

TERRY MACRAE – is Chief Executive Officer and owner of Hornblower Cruises, Adventures at Sea, Alcatraz Cruises, and Statue Cruises. He is part owner and a principal in Hornblower Marine Services, Inc., an international marine management services company. He graduated from California State Polytechnic University in 1973 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering/Energy and Environmental Concentration. Mr. MacRae is a member of InterFerry, SNAME and is a Past President of the Passenger Vessel Association. He has served as a Director of the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors and as the Vice Chairman of the California Travel and Tourism Commission. He is currently on the Board of the U.S. Travel Association. He resides in the San Francisco Bay area.

Beginning operations in Berkeley, CA, in 1980 with a single vessel, Hornblower and its affiliates now operate 50 passenger vessels ranging from 49 to 2,000 passengers, including: Classic Motoryachts, Dinner Cruise Vessels, High Speed Ferries, Car Ferries and Permanently Moored Historical Vessels. The Company operates in seven home ports in California offering year round dining, entertainment and sightseeing cruises along with seasonal whale-watching.

Alcatraz Cruises, commenced service to Alcatraz Island in 2006 after winning a 10 year National Park Service concession contract. The boats operate out from Pier 33 in San Francisco California and provide year round daily and evening ferry service to Alcatraz Island. The Alcatraz Ferries annually carry over 1,400,000 people. The company recently designed and built the first hybrid ferry in the world, setting a new standard for “green” on the water.

Statue Cruises began their 10 year National Park Service concession in January 2008. The ferry service carries people to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty from both Battery Park City in Manhattan and Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Annually, the company carries around 4,000,000 passengers.

Terry MacRae, Chief Executive Officer

Hornblower Cruises

Pier 3 the Embarcadero Hornblower Landing

San Francisco, CA 94111

415-983-8241 (p)

tmacrae@hornblower.com

JOHN WESSELS – serves as the National Park Service’s Intermountain Region Regional Director, leading the largest of the agency’s regions, comprised of 43 million acres of public land and more than 2,000 park structures. The region includes approximately half of all concessioner activities in national parks. The Intermountain Region spans the states of Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma and includes 92 park units and has 6,000 permanent and seasonal employees,

Mr. Wessels joined the Park Service in 2000 as the Intermountain Region’s comptroller, where he managed all finance and budget-related activities and developed a web-based system to integrate financial systems data and project information to provide park managers with real-time access to critical income and expense data by park. He became the region’s Associate Director for Administration, Business and Technology in 2004. Mr. Wessels has led the investment of $200 million in American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds in priority park projects across the region. He was the key figure in developing a virtual acquisition strategy that has improved accountability and empowered the workforce with more flexibility for purchasing and contracting.

During his career he has served as Acting Deputy Superintendent at Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco, Acting Deputy Intermountain Regional Director, Acting Associate Director for Business Services at the National Park Service headquarters in Washington, D.C., and as Acting Superintendent of Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway in Wyoming. From 1989 to 2000, Wessels worked for U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Boulder managing financial and administrative functions and systems for the national physics laboratory.

John Wessels was appointed to his post by NPS Director Jon Jarvis, who said in announcing his choice, “John has an incredible track record of tackling tough issues and finding innovative solutions. Results-oriented and goal-driven, John manages by inclusion, building a collaborative work ethic among employees and with partners. He strives for the highest standards of transparency and accountability. He has an easy grasp of the big picture and is dedicated to the effective use of new and emerging technologies to meet the needs of the National Park Service.”

John Wessels, Regional Director,

Intermountain Region

National Park Service

12795 Alameda Parkway

Denver, CO 80225

303-969-2500 (p)

John_Wessels@nps.gov

Susan Schroeder, Chief Executive Officer

Grand Canyon Association

P.O. Box 399

Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

800-858-2808 (p)

sschroeder@grandcanyon.org

Park Partners Telling Stories

Thursday 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Keynote Speakers: Mary Jane Ferguson, American Indian Alaskan Native Tourism Association; Chris Belland, Historic Tours of America

Introducer: Dave Woodside, Acadia Corporation

Presentation: Park Partners Telling Stories, Mary Jane Ferguson

MARY JANE FERGUSON – is President of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) and Director of Marketing and Promotions for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. She is a life-long resident of Cherokee, North Carolina and an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Ms. Ferguson was a small business owner/operator with her husband of 37 years in contracting and hospitality operations. She is a Certified Lodging Manager (CLM) and previously held the Hotel Operations Manager position for the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel. She received the Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) designation from the Southeast Tourism Society in 2006.

Ms. Ferguson has served as a two-term Governor-appointed Trustee for Southwestern Community College, as a Carolina Day School Trustee and as Co-Chair of the Economic Development Task Force appointed by former Chief Joyce Dugan. She is currently Vice Chair of the Cherokee Historical Association, serves on the Executive Board for the Museum of the Cherokee Indians, and is a board member for the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum.

A graduate of Western Carolina University, where she earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education, Ms. Ferguson taught public school for five years in the Jackson County Schools, and has served as a school board member for the Cherokee Schools from the Painttown Community. She and her husband Donald have two children, Savannah and Samantha.

Mary Jane Ferguson, President

AIANTA

P.O. Box 102

Cherokee, NC 28719

828-497-4551 (p)

maryferg@frontier.com

Christopher Belland, Chief Executive Officer

Historic Tours of America, Inc.

201 Front Street Suite 224

Key West, FL 33040

305-292-8920 (p)

naspinwall@historictours.com

Parks and the National Strategy on Travel and Tourism

Friday 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Keynote Speakers: Diane Shober, Wyoming Office of Tourism; Leigh von der Esch, Utah Office of Tourism; John Poimiroo, National Parks Promotion Council; Gail Adams, U.S. Department of the Interior

Introducer: Bruce Fears, ARAMARK Parks and Destinations

Respondents: William Stokely IV, Stokely Hospitality Enterprises; John Wessels, National Park Service

Video: National Strategy on Travel, Tourism and Parks

Diane Shober, Director

Wyoming Office of Tourism

1520 Etchepare Circle

Cheyenne, WY 82007

307-777-2808 (p)

Diane.Shober@Visitwyo.Gov

LEIGH VON DER ESCH – is Managing Director of the Utah Office of Tourism and Film. She was named Director of the Utah Office of Tourism in May of 2005 and served as the State Film Commissioner from 1985 to 2005. She also serves on the Governor's Outdoor Recreation Advisory Group. Ms. von der Esch has had extensive government experience as Chief Administrative Officer for the State of Utah Department of Community and Economic Development, Executive Director for the Salt Lake City Council and Legislative Assistant to a United States Congressman.

She worked for many years in the film and television industry and served three 2-year terms der Esch worked in the film industry as President of the Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI). Ms. von der Esch received AFCI’s Crystal Vision Award, its highest award for service to the organization. She is also a member of Women in Film, Los Angeles Chapter. Von der Esch also served as Chairman of the Sundance Film Festival Committee for 9 years.

Active on a national level in filming on public lands issues since 1991, von der Esch was for many years, a guest presenter on film permitting at the National Training Center for the Bureau of Land Management in Phoenix, Arizona. She has testified before both House and Senate Natural Resource Committees in Washington, DC on public lands legislation. Von der Esch has also worked extensively with the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the National Park Service developing policies and procedures relating to filming. She served on BLM’s Utah Resource Advisory Council.

Leigh is a member of the National Council of State Tourism Directors and chairs the Western States Tourism and Public Lands Policy Council and is active in the US Travel Association. Utah Business has recognized her regularly as one of Utah’s 100 Most Influential People in Business. She serves her community on various boards including the Utah Arts Festival Board, University of Utah Young Alumni and Alumni Board. An avid outdoorswoman and golfer, has also run the L.A. and Long Beach marathons.

Leigh von der Esch, Managing Director

Utah Office of Tourism

300 North State Street

Salt Lake City, UT 84114

801-538-1370 (p)

lvondere@utah.gov

JOHN POIMIROO – is CEO of the National Parks Promotion Council. His career has included diverse experiences in travel and tourism marketing and communications. He served as marketing communications director at major ski areas in Colorado and California, was on teams that opened two major theme parks, managed public relations and marketing for small and large attractions, coordinated marketing communications at small, medium and large marketing communications agencies, headed marketing communications at the National Park Service’s largest single hospitality provider, and served as California’s state tourism director during the 1990s. In 1999, he founded Poimiroo & Partners, which provides marketing communications services to several rural destinations and companies. Since 2009, has acted as Chief Executive Officer of the National Parks Promotion Council. John Poimiroo has received many honors, including being named by the Travel Industry Association of America as the nation’s best state tourism director. He received the University of Colorado’s first Chancellor’s Tourism Award, and has been inducted into the California Tourism Hall of Fame. He is based in El Dorado Hills, California.

John Poimiroo, Chief Executive Officer

National Parks Promotion Council

1448 Crocker Drive

El Dorado Hills, CA 95762

916-933-8860 (p)

jpoimiroo@nationalparksonline.org

GAIL ADAMS – is the Director of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, within the Office of the Secretary, for the U.S. Department of the Interior. She is responsible for enhancing communication between the Department and the State Governors, additional elected officials at the state and local levels, and the varied organizations that represent interests related to DOI. Ms. Adams has 20 years of experience in the environmental and natural resources public policy arena.

Prior to her appointment by Secretary Salazar in 2011, she served as the Governmental Affairs Officer for the MC252 Oil Spill (Deepwater Horizon) on loan from FEMA to the U.S. Coast Guard. In that position, she oversaw intergovernmental and Congressional affairs, VIP and international visits and handled some aspects of community relations for the entire Gulf Coast. Earlier, she served as Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for FEMA’s Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office headquartered in New Orleans, where she coordinated intergovernmental operations for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. Ms. Adams also coordinated the meetings of all the foreign delegations that came to Louisiana to learn about hurricane response and recovery efforts. A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Ms. Adams is a graduate of Louisiana State University.

Gail Adams, Director, Intergovernmental and

External Affairs, Office of the Secretary

U.S. Department of the Interior

1849 C Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20240

202-208-6649 (p)

Gail_Adams@ios.doi.gov

WILLIAM B. STOKELY, IV – is President of Stokely Hospitality Enterprises, based in Sevierville, Tennessee. The company, which operates a variety of restaurants and lodging properties in the Great Smoky Mountain region, is dedicated to making visitors to the area feel right at home. Stokely Hospitality is a holding company for restaurants and lodging properties. Its operations include a rustic lodge located atop Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Mr. Stokley is active in local and national organizations in the hospitality and community development fields, including the Tennessee Restaurant Association, the Nucleus of Knoxville, the Dogwood Arts Festival Advisory Board and the American Hotel & Lodging Association. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and is active in alumni and athletic affairs. A proud dad of five, he enjoys tennis, hunting, fishing and history.

William Stokely, IV, President

Stokely Hospitality Enterprises (Leconte Lodge)

250 Apple Valley Road

Sevierville, TN 37862

865-429-5700 (p)

lflynn@stokelyhospitality.com

John Wessels, Regional Director, Intermountain Region

National Park Service

12795 Alameda Parkway

Denver, CO 80225

303-969-2500 (p)

John_Wessels@nps.gov

Telling America and the World About America’s Park Idea

Friday 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM

Keynote Speaker: Jon Jarvis, National Park Service

Introducer: Rex Maughan, Forever Resorts

Respondents: Terry MacRae, Hornblower Cruises; Quinton Martin, Coca Cola North America; David Uberuaga, National Park Service

JONATHAN (JON) JARVIS – officially became the 18th Director of the National Park Service on October 2, 2009. A career ranger, who began his National Park Service career in 1976 as a seasonal interpreter in Washington, D.C., Mr. Jarvis leads an agency that preserves and manages some of the most treasured landscapes and valued cultural icons in this nation. As Director, the stewardship and care of the national parks, service to their visitors, and expansion of the agency’s community programs are his core responsibilities. In addition, he describes the employees of the National Park Service as his inspiration and considers their welfare and safety his top priority.

Prior to taking the helm as Director, Mr. Jarvis served as the Regional Director of the Pacific West Region, with responsibility for 58 units of the National Park System in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Nevada, Hawaii and the Pacific Islands of Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. Mr. Jarvis moved up through the National Park Service as a protection ranger, resource management specialist, park biologist, and Chief of Natural and Cultural Resources at parks such as Prince William Forest Park in Virginia, Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas, Crater Lake National Park in Oregon and North Cascades National Park in Washington. His first superintendency was at Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho and he later served as the Superintendent of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska from 1994 until 1999. He became the Superintendent of Mount Rainier National Park in August 1999. In 2001, he completed training in the Senior Executive Service Candidate Program of the Department of Interior and in September 2002, became the Regional Director of the Pacific West Region.

During his career, Mr. Jarvis has acquired extensive experience in developing government-to-government relations with Native American tribes, gateway community planning, FERC relicensing, major facility design and construction, wilderness management and general management planning. A native of Lexington, Virginia, Mr. Jarvis has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the College of William and Mary and completed the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Program in 2001. He and his wife Paula have two children, Benjamin and Leah.

Jon Jarvis, Director

National Park Service

1849 C Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20240

202-208-3818 (p)

Jon_Jarvis@nps.gov

Terry MacRae, Chief Executive Officer

Hornblower Cruises

Pier 3 the Embarcadero Hornblower Landing

San Francisco, CA 94111

415-983-8241 (p)

tmacrae@hornblower.com

QUINTON R. MARTIN – became Executive Assistant & Vice President Community Marketing for the Office of the President, Coca-Cola North America, based in Atlanta, Georgia, in July 2010. Mr. Martin supports the projects and ongoing processes that are essential to the success of the company’s North America leadership team. He advances the work needed for effective communications, planning and execution of strategic priorities, and ensures efficient and effective responses to opportunities that arise for the Office of the President. Mr. Martin is also responsible for the development and management of corporate relationships with national non-profit business partners, minority retailer/customer organizations and other nonstandard business/marketing relationships. His role is to create and execute a strategy that uses these relationships to enable Coca-Cola to maintain its position as one of America’s leading corporate citizens.

Mr. Martin began his career with The Coca-Cola Company in 1988 as a market development manager in Virginia and West Virginia. In May 1992, he became account services manager for the Atlanta Account Group. He was named manager, Consumer Marketing for the Atlanta Account Group in January 1994, and then was appointed executive assistant to the president of Coca-Cola USA later that year. In February 1997, he was named North Central Region Director, responsible for bottler relationships and marketing in Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky. In July 1998, he was named director, Independent Field Sales and Marketing Group – East. In March 2000, he was named vice president, region manager for 70 Independent Coca-Cola Bottlers in the United States. In October 2000 he was named vice president Community Marketing for Coca-Cola North America with responsibility for nonprofit business relationships and the planning and execution of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Games.

Prior to joining The Coca-Cola Company, he worked in a sales capacity with The Procter and Gamble Company and as an officer in The United States Army. Mr. Martin holds a bachelor’s degree in Applied Engineering from the United States Military Academy and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University. Mr. Martin, a native of Humboldt, Tennessee, is a current member of the board of the African American Experience Fund of the National Park Foundation, the Ryan Seacrest Foundation and the Chastain Park Conservancy.

Quinton Martin, Executive Assistant and

Vice President, Community Marketing

Coca-Cola North America

One Coca-Cola Plaza

Atlanta, GA 30313

404-676-0070 (p)

qmartin@coca-cola.com

David Uberauga, Superintendent

Grand Canyon National Park

P.O. Box 129

Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

928-638-7945 (p)

david_uberauga@nps.gov

New Strategies for Interpretation

Friday 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Keynote Speaker: Julia Washburn, National Park Service

Introducer: Craig Erickson

Respondents: Scott Burch, Glacier Park Boat Company; Neil Mulholland, National Park Foundation; Ed Hall III, Bureau of Indian Affairs

Presentation: Change and Innovation in Interpetation and Education

JULIA L. WASHBURN – is the Associate Director for Interpretation and Education of the National Park Service (NPS). She began her service in this post in September 2010. She started her career with the NPS in 1989 following two years in the Peace Corps as a volunteer science teacher in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Washburn’s first NPS job was as a park ranger at Fort Dupont Park in Washington, D.C. She has also worked at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, W.Va., and at Rock Creek Park, D.C., where she was Chief of Resource Management, Interpretation and Education. She served as co-chair of the National Park Service’s Education Council and was a chief architect of the Interpretation and Education Renaissance, a movement to revitalize interpretation and education across the NPS.

In 2000, Washburn left the Park Service to join the National Park Foundation as Senior Vice President for Grants and Programs where she led a team who delivered millions of dollars in grants and in-kind services to parks and their partners. In 2007, Washburn founded a consulting firm to provide strategic and interpretive planning, education program design, and management support services for conservation, preservation, and environmental education organizations. She also teaches adjunct at George Washington University in the museum education graduate program.

Julia Washburn, Associate Director,

Interpretation & Education

National Park Service

1849 C Street, NW

Washington, DC 20240

202-208-4829 (p)

julia_washburn@nps.gov

SCOTT BURCH – is the owner of the Glacier Park Boat Company, which began operating in 1938. As the grandson of the company’s founder, Mr. Burch has worked for many years with the historic wooden boats that have been a part of Glacier National Park since the early 1920s.

Mr. Burch is a third-generation concessionaire in Glacier National Park. In 1986, he purchased one third of Glacier Park Boat Company from his father and formed a partnership with his brother and cousin and continued the Glacier Park Boat Company. In 2010, he and his wife became the sole proprietors of Glacier Park Boat Company.

Throughout Mr. Burch’s business and management experience, he has worked closely with the National Park Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, Parks Canada, and the Canadian and U.S. Departments of Transportation.

He is active as a volunteer in his community, serving as a 4-H shooting sports instructor, working with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Program, and also serving as a school art instructor. He is a member of numerous business-related organizations at both the national and local levels.

Mr. Burch and his wife Barb have two children: Sam, a sophomore at the University of Montana in Missoula, and Sara, a senior at Glacier High in Kalispell. During the summer months, the family lives in Glacier National Park and, during the winter months, they reside in Kalispell, Montana.

Scott Burch, President

Glacier Park Boat Company

P.O. Box 5262

Kalispell, MT 59901

406-257-2426

scott@glacierparkboats.com

NEIL MULHOLLAND – is President and CEO of the National Park Foundation, the charitable partner of the National Park Service. He began his service in July 2009. His mandate as president and CEO is to strengthen the connection between the American people and their parks during a transformative time in the life of the park system. Mulholland provides vision and leadership to the organization on a range of priority goals, including the completion of the Flight 93 Memorial, planning for the centennial anniversary of the National Park System in 2016, and the continued partnership between NPF and Ken Burns as his documentary, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, helps reintroduce Americans to their parks.

Mr. Mulholland brings 28 years of professional, private sector leadership that includes working with Fortune 500 Companies, forging dynamic partnerships, raising private investment capital and actively engaging local communities to create sustainable development. He has been recognized as an advocate for new impactful technologies and for creating pioneering organizations from the ground up that achieve unprecedented results and success.

Mr. Mulholland is also a highly regarded investment broker. He was Senior Vice President with Los Angeles, California-based Cushman Realty Corporation. He then co-founded and served as Chairman and CEO of Des Moines, Iowa-based Prairie iNet, one of the first commercially successful regional wireless broadband companies in the United States. Mr. Mulholland has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Construction Engineering from Iowa State University. His favorite national park is Rocky Mountain National Park but admits that the choice of a favorite national park is very difficult!

Neil Mulholland, President and CEO

National Park Foundation

1201 Eye Street, NW, Suite 500B

Washington, DC 20005

202-354-6466 (p)

neil@nationalparks.org

EDWARD HALL – joined the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Division of Transportation, in January 1992 as a Transportation Specialist. His role is to manage programs related to economic development and technical assistance and training. He works as an intergovernmental coordinator connecting other federal, state and local governments together with tribal governments to further communication, partnerships, project development and planning. Overall, he believes that the involvement and leadership of tribal governments and communities is central to providing guidance and perspective on policy decisions.

Mr. Hall serves as BIA’s coordinator for the National Scenic Byways Program, Tribal Technical Assistance Program, Southeast Tourism Policy Council, and the Western States Tourism Policy Council. He has provided leadership and input in the development of the Transportation Research Board’s Committee on American Indian Issues, the Intertribal Transportation Association, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, and the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council’s Circle of Tribal Advisors (COTA). He has contributed to the development of intertribal tourism organizations at the state and regional level such as the Montana Tribal Tourism Alliance and the Alliance of Tribal Tourism Advocates in South Dakota. He is a member of George Washington University’s International Tourism Studies Leadership Council and serves as a college lecturer on sustainable development strategies for indigenous people in cultural heritage tourism. He is a member of the Arikara and Hidatsa Nations, enrolled on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota.

Edward Hall III, Transportation Specialist /

Tourism Coordinator

Bureau of Indian Affairs

MS-4513-MIB, 1849 C Street, NW

Washington, DC 20240

202-513-7713 (p)

edward.hall@bia.gov

Philanthropic Success at the National and Park Levels

Saturday 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Keynote Speaker: Neil Mulholland, National Park Foundation

Introducer: Gordon Taylor, Xanterra Parks and Resorts

Respondents: Derrick Crandall, National Park Hospitality Association; Jim Lyons, Outdoor Solutions USA; Julia Gachenbach, National Park Hospitality Association

Neil Mulholland, President and CEO

National Park Foundation

1201 Eye Street, NW, Suite 500B

Washington, DC 20005

202-354-6466 (p)

neil@nationalparks.org

DERRICK CRANDALL – is Counselor to the National Park Hospitality Association. He is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Recreation Coalition, a position he has held since 1981. He serves as Co-Chair of the Scenic Byways Coalition and the Coalition for Recreational Trails as well as Treasurer of the American League of Anglers and Boaters. He served as a member of the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors from 1985 to 1987 and was named to the President's Commission on Environmental Quality in 1991, the same year that he received the Chevron Conservation Award. He is a member of the Brand USA Business Development Advisory Group and the Western Governors Association Get Out West Advisory Group. He was also Chairman of the Take Pride in America Advisory Board, appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, and a Founding Director of the National Forest Foundation, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. He has served on several national judging panels, including co-chairing the U.S. Department of the Interior's Take Pride in America award program.

Derrick Crandall, Counselor

National Park Hospitality Association

1225 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 450

Washington, DC 20005

202-682-9530 (p)

dcrandall@funoutdoors.com

James Lyons, Partner

Outdoor Solutions

1403 East Central Avenue

Edgewater, MD 21037

(443) 995-3573 (p)

jimrlyons@aol.com

JULIE LEIGH GACKENBACH – is the founder of Confrere Strategies, a government relations firm representing clients before Congress, state legislators, state and federal regulators and regulatory organizations and has more than 25 years of experience in legislative and regulatory affairs. Prior to establishing Confrere Strategies, she worked for a property and casualty trade association. She serves on the board of the Industry Education Council, a non-profit supporting insurance education. Before entering the insurance industry, Ms. Gackenbach held various positions at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, including Director of the Tax Policy Center and House Liaison. She also was employed by the American Petroleum Institute. She began her career with the U.S. House of Representatives, serving as Legislative Assistant to the Chairman of the Appropriations Health, Education and Labor Subcommittee.

Ms. Gackenbach is Vice President of National Park Concessions, a non-profit dedicated to improving visitor services in national parks, and as Senior Advisor on Congressional and PAC Affairs for the National Park Hospitality Association.

Ms. Gackenbach holds degrees with highest honors in economics, tax law and business management from Western Kentucky University, Georgetown University and University of Maryland respectively.

Julie Gackenbach, Senior Advisor

National Park Hospitality Association

49 D Street, SE

Washington, DC 20003

202-321-4913 (p)

Julie.gackenbach@confrerestrategies.com

National Park Hospitality Association

NEW ADDRESS EFFECTIVE MARCH 25

1200 G Street, N.W. Suite 650

Washington, D.C. 20005

Tel.: 202.682.9530 • FAX: 202.682.9529 • www.parkpartners.org