AIANTA CEO to head the National Marine Sanctuary System Business Advisory Council

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Sherry L. Rupert, CEO of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA), will soon head the Office of National Marine Sanctuary System (ONMS) Business Advisory Council for a period of three years.

He stated that he is excited about his new position and is eager to serve as the member of the esteemed council. Since most of the nation’s coastal regions and marine parks have deep ties to Native American and Native Hawaiian culture and heritage, and hence he looks forward to work with NOAA and help in developing connections with the native.

Previously tourism as well as recreation industry played a vital role in the nation’s economy and contributed around $ 116 billion in the gross domestic product to the national economy each year. John Armor, Director of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries shared his delight and happiness in welcoming Sherry L. Rupert into the group of thought leaders in the council.

The council, an initiative by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, will connect the federal agency with leaders from national hospitality and recreation organizations to elevate and promote responsible tourism to the nation’s underwater parks. In total, 15 tourism and recreation experts will provide specialized advice to the ONMS director on the challenges and opportunities facing America’s marine parks.

Other council members include:

• Taldi Harrison, Government and Community Affairs Manager, REI
• Jessica (Wahl) Turner, Executive Director, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
• Marie Fukudome, Senior Manager, Environmental Affairs, Hyatt Hotels
• Joost Ouendag, Vice President of Product Marketing, Viking River Cruises
• Taishya ​Adams​​, Policy Director, Outdoor Afro
• Maite Arce, President and CEO, Hispanic Access Foundation
• Dave Bulthuis, President, Pure Fishing
• Greg Jacoski, Executive Director, Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation
• Elissa Foster, Senior Manager of Product Responsibility, Patagonia, Inc.
• Martin Peters, Yamaha Marine Division Manager, Government Relations

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