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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release October 20, 1995

                     PRESIDENT SELECTS DELEGATES TO 
            THE WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON TRAVEL AND TOURISM

President Clinton has selected an additional thirty-seven delegates to attend the first-ever White House Conference on Travel and Tourism. The Conference will take place October 30 and 31 in Washington, D.C. It will bring together more than 1,700 industry representatives from across the nation to reach consensus on ideas that have already emerged from conferences and meetings involving 15,000 travel professionals in 50 states and five U.S. territories.

The travel and tourism industry presently contributes $417 billion to the nation's economy and generates $58 billion in federal, state, and local tax revenues. It is now the second largest employer in the nation (after the health care industry), employing 13 million people directly or indirectly. The development of a new national tourism strategy through the White House Conference on Travel and Tourism is an initiative to lay a foundation for the industry's resurgence. With bi-partisan support, President Clinton has provided an exciting opportunity for our nation through the Conference, an unprecedented event to shape a long-term plan and to build the new institutions needed to compete globally.

Carol Baumgarten, of Iowa, has been President of Knapp Hotels, a group of five properties in the Des Moines area, since 1991. She serves on several tourism-related boards, including the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Greater Des Moines Sports Authority, and the Des Moines Downtown Development Partnership.

John Brissenden, of California, currently owns and operates Sorensen's Resort. Mr. Brissenden has served on the Santa Cruz County Children's Commission, Sierra Business Council Advisory Committee, and the Governor's Task Force on Rural Tourism. He is also a member of the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Restaurant Association.

Ray Bryant of Tennessee is the Executive Director of the Lower Mississippi Delta Development Center (LMDD Center), which represents Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Illinois. The LMDD Center has been actively engaged in work to strengthen and energize the Delta's economy. Presently, the LMDD Center is working to develop a cycling corridor, utilizing existing roads, along the Mississippi River from St. Genevieve, Missouri to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Gregg Carano of Nevada currently holds the position of Vice President and General Manager of the Eldorado Hotel/Casino in Reno. With a degree from the Culinary Institute of America, he has held several other positions with the Eldorado in the food service department of the hotel/casino. He continues to be active in the restaurant business, and is a member of the International Food Services Executives Association.

Nancy Patton Conway of Tennessee has been the Executive Director of the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce since 1983. In this role, she has been involved with stimulating tourism in Williamson County through local, state and regional tourism organizations.

Eduardo Diaz of Texas is presently the Director of the Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs in San Antonio. In addition, he works as a columnist at the San Antonio Light. His professional affiliations include the Texas Urban Partnership, U.S. Urban Arts Federation, the National Assembly of Local Arts Agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Sho Dozono of Oregon is the President and CEO of Azumano International, the largest travel agency in the state. With this company, he has actively developed business relationships with Japan and other Pacific Rim countries and been a partner in a coordinated statewide international travel marketing effort.

Mary Eaddy of South Carolina is currently president of The Wordsmith, Inc. public relations firm. Her public service includes being formerly associated with the Governor's State Government Restructuring Commission, the Horry County Mental Retardation Board, and the Board of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.

Patricia Gentry Edington of Alabama is now working at Heirloom Appraisals. She is active in the Mobile Historic Development Commission and the Mobile Historic Homes Tour.

Marc Fruchter of Pennsylvania is president and chief pilot of Marc Fruchter Aviation, Inc. His corporation is very active in civic philanthropy with emphasis in children's organizations such as the Special Olympics and Make a Wish Foundation.

Chris Gallant of Maryland is now President and CEO of CFG Enterprises, Inc., which owns and operates four Roy Rogers Restaurants. In August of 1994, he was appointed by Governor Schafer to the Advisory Committee on Tourism. He belongs to several professional associations involved with tourism development.

Wayne Greenhaw of Alabama was the Director of the State Bureau of Tourism under Governor Folsom and has chaired the Lieutenant Governor's Tourism Task Force since early 1995. In addition to authoring over 11 books that highlight Alabama, Mr. Greenhaw has served on the board of directors for the Southeast Tourism Society and Travel South USA.

Nabil Haddad of Missouri is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Waid's Company and Haddad Restaurant Group, Inc., which operates over 53 restaurants throughout the country. He is a leader in Kansas City who has helped to build tourist areas and attractions.

Phyllis Y. Hamilton of Pennsylvania has more than 37 years of experience in the coordination of reservations for groups and individuals. Most recently, she has worked as a travel agent with Dan Rosen Travel Agency in Bala Cynwyd, where she works with groups and individuals in planning all stages of their trips.

Yolanda Kizer of Arizona is currently President of Casa Fenix Merchandising, Inc., a retail company which has a joint venture partnership with Host Marriott to operate newsstands at Phoenix Harbor Airport. In addition, she is a member of the Governor's Strategic Plan for Economic Development, the Association of Minority Owned Airport Concessionaires, and has previously held leadership positions with the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. A.K. "Kirk" Lanterman of Washington is currently president and CEO of Holland America Line Westours Inc., a subsidiary of the Carnival Corporation. He also serves as Chairman and president of Windstar Sail Cruises Ltd. He served two terms as Chairman of the Cruise Lines International Association and is a Trustee of and Treasurer for the Institute of Certified Travel Agents.

Don Madden, Sr. of Florida has been involved in the hospitality for thirty-two years, having developed twelve hotels. He has also served on numerous industry and bank boards that support community and business development. Some of these associations include the YMCA, Tourist Development Commission, and Advertising Product Committee of Holiday Inn International.

Patrick Murphy of Washington, D.C. currently serves as the Executive Vice President of the U.S. Strategies Corporation where he is responsible for the management and policy development of a twenty-five person strategic planning/government relations firm. During the 1970's, Mr. Murphy was an Assemblyman in the Nevada State Legislature.

Jerry T. Nagler Jr. of Georgia is the president and founder of a company which is the parent of several restaurant corporations which are mainly in the Atlanta area. In addition, he is a member of various hospitality and travel associations.

Mark Nichols of California is the Chief Executive Officer of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians. He directs all Cabazon Enterprises, including gaming operations, housing and construction, and environmental projects. Prior to serving as CEO, Mr. Nichols assisted in the development of the Cabazon Tribe's gaming operation.

Deborah L. Ortega of Colorado has been a Denver Councilwoman since 1987. In this role, she has been involved with the economic growth and the development of the transportation systems of the city. Additionally, she has worked toward the development of new retail areas, a proposed amusement park, and the new baseball stadium.

Ruth Ann Pastrick of Indiana is currently part owner and full time manager of two travel agencies. She is a former member of the Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Also, she has completed extensive national and international travel while participating in several state travel conventions. She served on the East Chicago Common Council representing the 4th District.

Clyde V. Prestowitz, Jr. of Maryland founded and is president of the Economic Strategy Institute. He was formerly senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment and a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. From 1981 until 1986, Mr. Prestowitz served in several high level positions at the Department of Commerce. He has published numerous books and magazine articles concerning U.S. industrial strength and foreign trade.

Linus Raines of Arkansas is currently the General Manager of the Excelsior Hotel. The only hotel manager in Arkansas to receive certification in Hotel Management from Cornell University, she was named "Restaurateur of the Year" by the Arkansas Times in 1990.

Randy Randall of New Mexico is currently the General Manager of the El Dorado Hotel in Santa Fe. He has also served as Vice President for Richfield Hospitality Management. Mr. Randall is a member of the American Hotel and Motel Association Resort Committee, the New Mexico Hotel and Motel Association and the Santa Fe Lodgers Association.

Nancy Reuther of Louisiana manages Destination Management, Inc. (DMI), and is President-elect of the New Orleans Tourism Commission. Currently, she works closely with many tourism companies though DMI, including an airport shuttle service, New Orleans Tours, and New Orleans Paddlewheels. She has extensive experience in hotel management and marketing.

Y. Sherry Sheng of Oregon is presently serving as Director of the Metro Washington Park Zoo. As director of Metro Washington Park Zoo she provides leadership to the Zoo's 125 full-time and 450 seasonal employees, and 2,000 volunteers. She is on the board of the Portland/Oregon Visitor Association, American Leadership Forum, National Forest Foundation, and was appointed by the governor to serve on the State Board of Forestry in 1990.

Calvin Smyre of Georgia has served as a state representative since 1974. He presently serves as Chairman of the House Committee on the University System, the Executive Committee of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, and is Vice Chairman of the Assembly on Federal Issues of the National Conference of State Legislators.

Kathleen Anne Sweeton of Vermont has held the position of President of the Vermont Lodging and Restaurant Association since 1993. In this position, she is responsible for representing the needs of the hospitality industry in the state. In addition, Ms. Sweeton is a governor's appointee to the Vermont Travel and Recreation Council (TRC) and the Vermont Economic Progress Council (VEPC). As a member of the VEPC, she serves as chair of the Tourism and Transportation Committees.

Royette Tarry of Maryland is the owner of Hooper's Crab House located in Ocean City, the state's largest resort. She has served as spokesperson for numerous companies.

Henry Topel of Delaware is self-employed in the hotel and real estate business. From 1990-1994, he served as the Chairman of the Board for the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau. In addition, Mr. Topel chaired the Delaware Democratic State Committee, and, during his last year (1982-1983) as Chair, he also chaired the National State Chairs Association.

J. Kim Tucci of Missouri is co-owner of the Pasta House Company. He was president of the Missouri Athletic Club and the St. Louis Ambassadors. From 1983-1984, he served as Commissioner of the St. Louis Airport Authority. In addition, he is a Board Member of the Leukemia Society of America, Kilo Diabetes Foundation, and Crusade Against Crime.

Arthur Turnbull of Illinois serves as President and CEO of Arthur N. Turnbull Enterprises Inc. He is one of the nation's foremost authorities on alternative outsourcing for travel and meeting management services.

Janet Turner of Georgia has served as the Leisure and Meeting Destination Specialist at Century Travel since 1992. Prior to that, she was the President and CEO of Turner Travel, Inc. Ms. Turner is also a life member of the NAACP and has been awarded "Businesswoman of the Year" in 1988 by the Negro Business and Professional Women, Inc.

Thomas W. Walsh of Tennessee founded and is currently president of Greever and Walsh, Inc., a corporation that deals in textiles and farm properties. He has been involved with the development of rural tourism in Mountain City, where he organized and directed the building of a 10,000 square foot Johnson County Welcome Center.

Kenneth C. Wilkins of North Carolina is the owner of Advantage Travel. His professional affiliations include the American Society of Travel Agents, Outside Sales Support Network, and Cruise Lines International Association. In addition, his civic activity includes the N.C. Assembly on Women and the Economy, the Wake County Transportation Efficiency Council, and the Raleigh Kiwanis Club.

Amy Vanderbilt of Montana serves as the Information Officer on the National All-Risk Incident Management Team for the National Park Service. Since March 1989, she has also served as the Public Affairs Officer at Glacier National Park, Montana. From 1983-1989, she was the Assistant Public Affairs Officer at Yellowstone National Park. In addition, she has represented both Glacier and Yellowstone at the annual Governor's Conference on Tourism and Recreation.

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