
Board of Directors
NTA is governed by a member-elected volunteer board of directors, which is advised by member volunteer networks and committees. NTA is based in North America, but its industry and its membership spans the globe. If you would like to contact a member of the NTA Board, please log in to the NTA Online member directory, or contact NTA at headquarters@ntastaff.com. Interested in becoming a leader? Contact NTA’s Jennifer Royse, CTP.
The board governs. NTA president & staff manages.
Executive Committee
Chase Poffenberger
Chair | Academic Travel Abroad
EmailDebra Asberry
Vice Chair | Women Traveling Together
EmailJerry Varner, CTP
Secretary | Making Memories Tours
EmailJim Warren, CTP
Immediate Past Chair | Anderson Vacations
EmailKelly Dean
DMO Director | Ottawa Tourism
EmailCory Mace
Tour Supplier Director | North Central Group – Hilton & Marriott Hotels
Email
Past Presidents
- 2020: Jim Warren, CTP
- 2019: Paul Larsen
- 2018: J. Chris Babb
- 2017: Jay Smith
- 2016: Justin Osbon
- 2015: Jorge Cazenave, CTP
- 2014: Paul Nakamoto
- 2013: Mark Hoffmann, CTP
- 2012: Jim Reddekopp, Jr.
- 2010-11: Catherine Greteman
- 2009: Michele Michalewicz, CTP
- 2008: Bob Hoelscher, CTP
- 2007: Randy Julian
- 2006: Judith Thomas, CTP
- 2005: Ann Thomas, CTP
- 2004: Mitchell Sussman, CTP
- 2003: Charlie McIlvain, CTP
- 2002: Kathy LeTarte, CTP
- 2001: Ed Dresel
- 2000: Mark Hoffmann, CTP
- 1999: Robert Brennan, CTP
- 1998: Keith Griffall, CTP
- 1997: Janice McIlwain
- 1996: Robert Everidge
- 1995: Gerald B. “Jerry” DiPietro
- 1994: S. Burkett “Doc” Milner, CTP
- 1993: Dottie Maitland, CTP
- 1992: John P. Stachnik Sr., CTP, CTC
- 1991: Thomas R. Frenkel, CTP
- 1990: George Guenther, CTP
- 1989: Dan Dipert
- 1988: Pete Anderson, CTP
- 1987: David V. Lippincott, CTP
- 1986: Francis “MIkie” Wall, CTP
- 1985: Lois Anderson
- 1984: Harold E. Mishnick, Sr.
- 1983: R. Bruce Beckham, CTP
- 1981-82: William Grossman
- 1979-80: Earl L. Harmon
- 1977-78: Lynn B. “Spike” Herzig
- 1975-76: Edwin Bortner
- 1973-74: Joseph A. Casser
- 1971-72: Mary H. Lee
- 1969-70: Maurice P. Hughes
- 1967-68: Aurthur C. Tauck Jr.
- 1965-66: Robert L. McMullen
- 1963-64: Stanley A. Parker
- 1961-62: Arnold C. Rigby
- 1958-60: George S. Talmage
- 1951-57: Robert H. Shattuck
Leadership Requirements
Members are chosen for committees based on several criteria. Here is a sampling of guidelines used in the selection process:
- Representation of different basic types of members is essential. A variety of tour operator, tour supplier and DMO components, geographic diversity, and mix from the large, medium and small companies provide a good balance. Different viewpoints are important in achieving a well-balanced group.
- A member’s role within his/her company or organization is considered.
- Retention of selected past volunteer leaders is valuable to ensure continuity.
- Appointment of new members ensures fresh ideas and perspectives. It is NTA’s goal to avoid over-taxing those who have made a contribution over a period of time.
President Bio
Catherine Prather, CTP, President, National Tour Association
Catherine joined the National Tour Association team in 1994 and currently serves as president, the chief staff role. She focuses on strategic continuity, member engagement and professional development to ensure NTA’s long-term growth and viability.
On a daily basis, Catherine draws connections and seeks collaboration among the association’s staff experts, NTA members and industry counterparts. She also guides the team to strengthen engagement and business connections among the NTA community.
Catherine has been appointed to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which serves as an advisory body to the Secretary of Commerce on government policies and programs that affect the U.S. travel and tourism industry and offers counsel on current and emerging issues. She also actively supports Tourism Cares, NTA’s official philanthropy, and sits on the Tourism Cares Board of Directors. Other leadership roles include the Retailing and Tourism Management Advisory Board for the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Advisory Committee for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.
A native of Georgetown, Kentucky, Catherine has earned NTA’s Certified Tour Professional designation and is a graduate of Transylvania University with a bachelor’s degree in English.
Become an NTA Leader
NTA relies heavily on member volunteers to assist in guiding the association and enhancing its programs. The Leadership Team comprises members who serve on networks and advisory groups, which are a vital link between the strategic direction set by the NTA Board of Directors and the NTA staff which implements the strategies. The bottom line: it all benefits the membership. If you are interested in serving as a leadership volunteer, please email Jennifer Royse, CTP.
DMO Network
Members
- Chair | Frances Manzitto, Visit Clarksville
- Arnaldo Altoran, Choose Chicago
- Malia Asfour, Jordan Tourism Board North America
- Tammie Baker, Reno Tahoe
- Karen Ballard, Vermont Tourism Network
- Patrick Bourque, York County CVB
- Dawn Burns, Deadwood Chamber of CVB
- Lee Callicutt, Visit Montgomery
- Katie Campbell, Staunton CVB
- Tanya Carlson, Travel Alaska
- Patti Culp, Alabama Travel Council
- Roger Dudley, Experience Columbus
- Renee Eichelberger, Explore St. Louis
- Liz Engh, Destination Lake Winnebago Region
- Desiree Gibson, Travel Alberta
- Mark Kowalewski, Visit Prince William
- Christina Marcotte, Niagara Falls Tourism
- John Marshall, NYC & Company
- Estela Martinez-Stuart, Ft. Worth CVB
- Ivan Martinez-Vega, Mexico Tourism Board
- Maxine Morrell-West, Tourism Toronto
- Hannah Oliver, Visit Loudoun
- Colleen Palmertree, Memphis CVB
- Ann Pilcher, Pocono Mountains CVB
- Kathy Reynolds, Alger Co. Chamber of Commerce
- Sandra Rice, Destination Ontario
- LouAnna Smith-Henton, Nashville CVB
- Elise Swearingen, Providence Warwick CVB
- Evelyn Vazquez, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches CVB
Staff liaison
Tour Supplier Network
Members
- Chair | Ryan Sanders, Louisiana Motorcoach
- Brittany Aanestad, Embassy Suites San Diego – La Jolla
- Monique Adams, Norwegian Cruise Line
- Carolyn Boss, Golden Corral – National
- Ali Brewer, National Law Enforcement Museum
- Leslie Brewer, Biltmore Estate
- Brenda Diaz, Four Points by Sheraton Boston Logan Airport
- Jered Fournier, Broadway Inbound
- Melissa Giller, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
- Willma Harvey, New Orleans Plantation Country
- Anthony Hilden, AFC Travel
- Robert Jackson, Houston First Corporation
- Denys Marquez, Desert Diamond Casino Hotel
- Kelly Martin, Museum of the Bible
- David Miller, Flying Saddle Resort
- Estelle Miller, Hornblower Cruises & Events
- Emily Milligan, Fly My Group Inc.
- Paul Nakamoto, Aquarium of the Bay
- Jennifer Riddell, Kentucky Derby Museum
- Carol Ross, Portland Rose Festival
- Ryan Sanders, Lousiana Motor Coach
- Bruce Sauers, Buffalo Bill Center of the West
- Lori Scott, International Spy Museum
- John Shaffer, Luray Caverns
- Suzanne Thomas, Best Western Greenfield Inn
Staff liaison
Buyers Network
Members
- Chair | Michelle Pino, Northeast Unlimited Tours
- Denise Buchanan, Appina Travel GmbH
- Colin Caparros, A Closer Look Tours
- Aldo Caronia, Michelangelo International Travel
- Jorge Cazenave, Cazenave Argentina
- Peter Craddick, Globetrotters Travel & Tours
- Stephanie Dilling, Well Gray Tours, Ltd.
- Rowena Drinkhouse, Reformation Tours
- Brittany Dykla, Brilliant Edventures
- Jim Edwards, Collette
- Julie Elias, Academic Travel Abroad
- Kristine Geary, Maple Leaf Tours
- Melody Johnson, Falcon’s Crest
- Misha Jovanovic, Misha Tours
- Edita Krunic, Select International Tours
- Marcela Laukova, Discover Slovakia Tours
- Elaine Moulder, Brilliant Edventures
- Jason Murray, Southwest Adventure Tours
- Ted Nelson, Hospitality Tours
- Maurice Nzwii, Africa Safari Classics
- Justin Osbon, Image Tours, Inc.
- Scholastica Ponera, Pongo Safaris & Tours Limited
- Sarah Qeyros, Sarah Qey Travel Inc.
- Robert Riesmeyer, Travel Unrivaled
- Juan Rivera, TOURS 4 THE WORLD.COM
- Gordon Stearns, Tour Design, Inc.
- Jonathan Taylor, Pathfinders
- Christian Utpatel, Terra Lu Travel & Consult GmbH
- Connie VanderPoel, Southwest Tours
- Clayton Whitehead, Sports Leisure Vacations
Staff liaison
Associates/Partners Network
Members
- Chair | Sue Barbanel, Travel Insured International
- Annette Morejon, Whisper Trading & Services, LLC
Staff liaison
China Inbound Group
Members
- Chair | Harry Chen, Joy Holiday
- Demin Fan, US China Connection, Inc
- Yama Gao, America Int’l Travel Services Inc.
- Shelly Gibson, Century Travel
- Scott Supernaw, Tauck
- Andrew Wong, Owl Tours LLC
Staff liaison
Faith Travel Advisory Group
Members
- Chair | Rowena Drinkhouse, Reformation Tours
- Sue Barbanel, Travel Insured International
- Denise Buchanan, Appina Travel GmbH
- Lee Callicutt, Visit Montgomery
- Peter Craddick, Globetrotters Travel & Tours
- Brenda Diaz, Four Points by Sheraton Boston Logan Airport
- Jim Edwards, Collette
- Liz Engh, Destination Lake Winnebago Region
- Anthony Hilden, AFC Travel
- Kelly Martin, Museum of the Bible
- Maurice Nzwii, Africa Safari Classics
- Connie VanderPoel, Southwest Tours
Staff liaison
International Group
Members
- Chair | Jorge Cazenave, Cazenave Argentina
- Malia Asfour, Jordan Tourism Board North America
- Colin Caparros, A Closer Look Tours
- Aldo Caronia, Michelangelo International Travel
- Peter Craddick, Globetrotters Travel & Tours
- Misha Jovanovic, Misha Tours
- Edita Krunic, Select International Tours
- Marcela Laukova, Discover Slovakia Tours
- Maxine Morrell-West, Tourism Toronto
- Scholastica Ponera, Pongo Safaris & Tours Limited
- Jonathan Taylor, Pathfinders
- Christian Utpatel, Terra Lu Travel & Consult GmbH
- Monique van Dijk-Seppola, Scandinavia Tours
Staff liaison
Board Alliances Team
Purpose
Purpose: This cross-functional vetting team will use criteria for selection of partners ensuring that future alliances are supportive of NTA’s updated strategic requirements and long-term business goals. The Alliances Team will use this criterion to conduct a thorough evaluation of the prospective partner before any commitments are made.
Members
- Chair| Debra Asberry, Women Traveling Together
- Jorge Cazenave, Cazenave Argentina
- Cory Mace, North Central Group-Hilton & Marriott Hotels
- Fraser Neave, Wells Gray Tours, Ltd.
- Dawn Burns, Deadwood CVB
- Monique van Dijk-Seppola, Scandinavia Tours
- Christina Werner, Custom Holidays
- Ex-officio| Jim Warren, Anderson Vacations
Staff liaison
Board Governance Committee
Purpose
Purpose: To oversee the NTA Board’s policy governance process and performance. The Governance Committee develops and delivers education and orientation as it relates to the governance structure and shall conduct a thorough review of the NTA Board Effectiveness evaluation and move forward recommendations to align NTA’s policy governance work with its strategic direction.
Members
- Chair| Chase Poffenberger, Academic Travel Abroad
- Kelly Dean, Ottawa Tourism
- Angela Harness, Tanger Outlets
- Nish Patel, Mayflower Cruises and Tours
- Jerry Varner, Making Memories Tours
- Ex-officio| Jim Warren, Anderson Vacations
- Ex-officio| Debra Asberry, Women Traveling Together
Staff liaison
Board Nominating Committee
Purpose
To select board and elected officer nominees and oversee the election process. The committee recruits candidates and promotes board services throughout the year and at NTA events, establishes the election timeline annually, and interviews candidates and selects the most qualified candidate per available seat (i.e. nominates a slate of candidates).(Members of the Nominating Committee are determined each year per the structure outlined in the NTA Election Policies and Procedures.)
Members
- Chair | Paul Larsen, Ed-Ventures, Chair
- Jim Warren, CTP; Anderson Vacations, ex-officio
- Chase Poffenberger, Academic Travel Abroad, ex-officio
- Chris Babb, The Group Tour Company
- David Naczycz, North America Tour Hub
- Brittany Dykla, Brilliant Edventures
- Keith Somers, Select Travel Services
- Ted Nelson, Hospitality Tours
- Renee Eichelberger, CTP; Explore St. Louis
- Dee Dee McGowan, Couer d’Alene Casino Resort
Staff liaison

Interested in volunteering? Contact:Jennifer Royse, CTP jennifer.royse@ntastaff.com+1.859.264.6576
- NTA has provided us the research and atmosphere to brainstorm new ways of doing things and fresh additions to trips, which has led to successful business development. Rachel Ranck, WorldStrides, NTA member since 1985
- What NTA does is provide the right buyers. They provide the right people who make decisions. This is what makes this organization one I can’t afford to take off my list. John Stachnik CTP, Mayflower Tours, NTA member since 1979
- I came to NTA to build a business, and that’s exactly what it did for us, as sales came in. For me, it’s the only outlet for new ideas. Matthew Squire, Select Travel Service (UK), NTA member since 2002
- NTA membership and our attendance at the convention have provided us with more clients, more business relationships and more ideas. We are proud to belong to NTA. Daniele Panzarin, Target Travel (Italy), NTA member since 2007
- The No. 1 member benefit of NTA has to be all the great professional and personal connections we’ve made over the past decade. Taunya Wolfe Finn, CTP, Wolfe Adventures & Tours, NTA member since 2005
- We have not found a more reliable, more profitable or more consistent tourism venue in which to acquire new business than NTA. Diane Hohnstein, Hospitality Management Services, NTA member since 1999
- I believe attending the NTA conferences allow me to create valuable relationships and work together with U.S. operators in creating great Scotland product. Maggie Anderson, VisitScotland, NTA member since 2003
- NTA events provide us with beneficial networking with many top tour operators. It’s national and international in scope providing a global perspective. Tim and Elaine Moulder, Brilliant Edventures, NTA member since 2015