New NTA Board of Directors set for 2023

December 20, 2022

Following a vote by NTA members, the composition of the association’s board of directors is now set for 2023. 

Jerry Varner, CTP, will chair the board. Varner, owner of Making Memories Tours in Washburn, Missouri, rises to the position after being elected as vice chair last year. Fraser Neave, CTP, of Wells Gray Tours in Kamloops, British Columbia, was elected vice chair from his previous role as secretary. Neave will serve a one-year term before ascending to the office of chair at the start of 2024. Monique van Dijk-Seppola of Scandinavia Tours in Vaagaa, Norway, was elected secretary after serving as a director on the board.

Joining those individuals on the board’s executive committee are Amy Larsen, Wyoming Office of Tourism, who represents destination management organizations; Ryan Robutka, VIA Rail Canada, representing tour suppliers; and Debra Asberry, CTP of Women Traveling Together, based in Annapolis, Maryland, immediate past chair.

Five tour operators are returning to the board and serve as directors: Marcela Laukova, CTP, Discover Slovakia Tours, Lucenec, Slovakia; Theresa Nemetz, Travel Deliciously, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin; Nish Patel, Mayflower Cruises and Tours, Lisle, illionois; Michelle Pino, Northeast Unlimited Tours, Sandwich, Massachusetts; and Christina Werner, CTP, Custom Holidays, Allen Park, Michigan. The 2022 board also appointed Sheli Hinds Armstrong of Destination Southwest in Santa Fe | Albuquerque, New Mexico, for a one-year term on the board to fill a vacancy left by the election of van Dijk-Seppola to the position of secretary.

The newly elected directors are Katie Kirkland of Visit Tuolumne County in Sonora, California, representing DMOs, and Lois Stolzfus of Dutchman Hospitality Group in Walnut Creek, Ohio, representing tour suppliers. Greg Eckhart of Travel Oregon, based in Portland, returns as a DMO director, and Ryan Sanders, CTP, Motor Coach Family of Brands, based in Marrero, Louisiana, continues his term as a tour supplier director.

Rounding out the board is a director at large, appointed by Varner to serve a one-year term. He is Matthew Maturo of Meridian Guided Travel, based in Fullerton, California.

The NTA Board of Directors is a group of volunteer leaders who govern NTA policies and provide strategic direction to the staff. The board meets in person prior to NTA’s two annual events, Travel Exchange and Contact, and via Zoom throughout the year.