Kent John - AWRTA President -
Kent and his father Laurence and homesteader Kathy Haley began the Great Alaska Adventure Lodge in 1981 at the confluence of the Moose and Kenai Rivers in Sterling. They currently operates a remote kayak camp in Resurrection bay, a fly-out Bear viewing camp in Lake Clark National Park and a tent camp in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. They are now Great Alaska International Adventure Vacations, with beachfront lodges in Tortugero National Park, Costa Rica and Holbox Island, Mexico.

Kent's focus as current president is to continue to grow the AWRTA membership, emphasize member benefits and establish AWRTA as the preeminent organization for world travelers to find operators featuring sustainable tourism practices in Alaska. In addition, through industry contacts, an exciting new website and our connection with Adventure Green Alaska to take AWRTA to the next level.

During the summer Kent splits his time between the office and guiding, and enjoys exploring our beautiful state with his wife Julie and daughter Mackenzie.

Daniel W. Oberlatz - AWRTA Vice President -
Dan Oberlatz is a founding owner of Alaska Alpine Adventures, an adventure travel company specializing in Alaska wilderness excursions. Dan began AAA in 1999, after spending several years hiking, climbing, rafting and generally exploring Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Dan's love for this area of Alaska prompted him to merge his passion for exploration with his interest in introducing these wild and pristine areas to others, and walked with some trepidation into the business world of guiding. AAA continues to grow and has since expanded its operations to other areas of Alaska, including: Katmai, Wrangell-St. Elias, Gates of the Arctic, and Denali National Park.

In addition to managing the day-to-day operations of AAA, Dan continues to guide trips each summer. His focus, and that of his guides, is to educate clients about the value of the public lands they visit, with the goal of fostering conservation and stewardship of our natural resources. His efforts recently are focused on the Pebble Mine, precariously located between Katmai National Park and Lake Clark National Park, and the potential threat this project poses to these national treasures.

Dan has also recently volunteered as a mentor for the state's Rural Tourism Mentorship Program (TMAP) in an effort to partner successful visitor industry businesses with emerging rural enterprises.

When not out guiding or buried in email, Dan enjoys exploring Alaska's mountains with his wife Danielle, and daughter Bella and Bryn.

Tony Turrini - AWRTA Board of Directors -
Thank you for the opportunity to run for another term on the AWRTA board of directors. I'm a long-time Alaska resident and senior attorney with the National Wildlife Federation. I am also the current president of Adventure Green Alaska (AGA), Alaska's first certification program for tourism businesses. I believe that tourism will play a pivotal role in the future of the state. In particular, responsible wilderness-based tourism can help build public appreciation for Alaska's environment while contributing to the economic health of rural communities. If elected, I will work to ensure that AWRTA is a strong leader on tourism issues and provides marketing benefits to its members. I will continue working with AWRTA's board and membership to make Adventure Green Alaska a success and help AWRTA address policies, laws, and development proposals that affect our members. I appreciate your support and look forward to serving you in 2009.

Joel Hanson - AWRTA Board of Directors -
With my current service on the AWRTA Board of Directors, I am seeking re-election. I represent the interests of The Boat Company, a nature-based small ship cruise company in Southeast Alaska with nearly thirty years of operating experience. I am a long-time Alaskan resident having worked as commercial fisherman, sport fish guide, small ship captain, cruise company operations manager and, most recently, vessel support services coordinator. I am a lifelong conservationist and advocate for wilderness/wildlife protection.

Brigid Dodge - AWRTA Board of Directors -
Raised in the Midwest, Brigid came to Alaska in 1987. Although Kodiak is home, Brigid also lived in Anchorage while completing graduate programs at UAA in teaching and English and taught her first year in the western Alaska village of Kwethluk. Brigid speaks French, German, and Spanish and studies the local language of Kodiak Island, Alutiiq. Presently, she teaches at Kodiak College and operates Kodiak Treks with her husband from May through September each year.

Kodiak Treks is a remote Kodiak Island lodge specializing in bear viewing and hiking trips on the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. They promote education-based trips and offer guests a holistic approach to observing Kodiak bears which includes in introduction to local culture and the history of the Kodiak Archipelago. Guests enjoy world-class adventure in Kodiak bear country while learning about the unique geology, botany, and management practices that support this healthy and growing population of bears. Brigid also presently serves on the Kodiak Island Convention and Visitor Center board and enjoys volunteering throughout the Kodiak community.

Ginny Fay - AWRTA Board of Directors -
Ginny Fay is the owner of EcoSystems, a consulting firm established in 1984 specializing in economic and ecological research, community development, conflict resolution and writing. As the Alaska State Tourism Director, she directed the Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development tourism office as well as the community and business development and research sections. She is currently working as a research faculty member at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Institute of Social and Economic Research. The initial focus of this research will be on tourism and transportation. Ginny guided for Alaska Discovery in the 1980s.

Jeremiah Millen - AWRTA Board Nominee -
Jeremiah Millen has worked in the Alaska conservation community close to 10 years working on public lands and marine conservation issues. While at the Ocean Conservancy he founded the successful Alaska Oceans Festival which is now on it's 7th year. While at, National Parks Conservation Association he developed a successful outreach effort for the communities surrounding Wrangle St. Elias and created the Alaska National Parks Discovery Series, a well supported monthly event combining story telling, photojournalism, and music highlighting Alaska's natural wonders, historic places and inspiring the community to get out and play. He currently works on federal public lands issues for the Alaska Wilderness League's Anchorage office. In his free time he enjoys experiencing wild Alaska and volunteering in Anchorage as the host of the Borealis Bluegrass Breakdown on KNBA 90.3 public radio.

Katie Conway - AWRTA Board Nominee -
Katie is local grown Alaskan and strong ally in the conservation community. Concern for the environment was fostered at an early age, as the Exxon valdez oil spill made a lasting impression on her. Katie's natural interest in the world around her inspired a liberal arts education, she double majored in anthropology and psychology at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon. She later went on to complete her MA in Applied Anthropology at Oregon State University. Her thesis work was based on studying the intersection of conservation, ecotourism, and sustainable development in Cambodia, a place she had visited earlier in some of her travels. Katie's experiences in Asia and Europe, her passion for the Alaskan outdoors, and her problem solving and networking abilities make Katie a natural fit for AWRTA.