Oregon Travel Information Council

Oregon Travel Experience’s governing body is known as the Oregon Travel Information Council in Oregon Statute, Chapter 377.835. Although the agency “doing business as” moniker has changed to Oregon Travel Experience, the council name will remain the same in the Oregon Legislature.

Eleven volunteer members are appointed by the Governor. These private citizens donate their time to determine rules and policies for OTE programs. Their mission is to create a great visitor experience by providing directions to destinations, connecting travelers with Oregon’s resources, and ensuring safe and convenient travel.

OTIC Chair, Drew RoslundDrew Roslund

Drew is OTIC’s Chair. He is a graduate of both Oregon and Washington State universities and is current president of Be Our Guest, Incorporated, a hospitality oriented business located in Bend, Oregon. Roslund was appointed to a second term on the council in summer 2010. He has provided council presence and input at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism, and at the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association.

OTIC Vice Chair, Steve PetersenSteven Petersen

Steve is Vice Chair of the OTIC. He has over 30 years of experience in public and private economic development with CH2M Hill; as past director for the Oregon Economic Development Department and as a member of the Portland Development Commission. Steve believes that tourism is integral to the vitality of the state’s economy and his experience in economic development is valuable to the council and OTE in forming and implementing its future goals and programs. His work in both public and private sectors enables Steve to understand, communicate and work within both arenas. In addition to his work on the council, Steve serves on the Oregon State University Cascades Advisory Board and is involved in many Central Oregon economic development projects. He holds a bachelor’s in geography from the University of Minnesota, Mankato.

OTIC Secretary, Rod MilesRod Miles

As a native Oregonian, Rod’s contribution to welcoming visitors and informing the state’s citizens about strategic plans is invaluable. Rod has 30 years of experience in the advertising industry with a focus on planning and purchasing outdoor media. He is co-partner in Portland’s Cappelli-Miles—the recipient of five Titan Merit Awards for Oregon business logos and advertising spots. Rod is interested in creating efficient and precise messaging to the travel market. Rod is a graduate of the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism. He currently serves as the council’s secretary.

Mike Drennan, OTIC CouncilMike Drennan

Mike has lived in Oregon for almost 60 years and has a longstanding commitment to the travel and tourism industry. He has served as board chair for both the Corvallis Convention and Visitors Association and Travel Lane County. He is currently in his fifth term on the Executive Board for Travel Lane County.  Mike is senior vice president and relationship manager for Home Federal Bank in Eugene and has been in the banking industry since 1972. Mike has held numerous community leadership positions during his career and is currently serving his first term with the council as an at-large appointee. Mike has served with economic development agencies in Corvallis, Bend and Eugene, and is dedicated to promoting Oregon’s economic vitality through tourism, visitors and conventions.

Sandy Flicker, OTIC CouncilSandra Flicker

Sandy is a public member of the council. She was formerly the director of Oregon Traffic Safety Now where she was responsible for developing programs to increase seat belt use in Oregon. Sandy is also the former director and lobbyist of the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association and is keenly interested in promoting travel within beautiful rural Oregon.

George Forbes, OTIC CouncilGeorge Forbes

Over his lengthy tenure in the hospitality industry, George has made a point to be involved in regional and local tourism promotion. While at Washington State University, George majored in hotel and restaurant administration. Besides his work with OTIC and OTE, George serves as a member of the Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission and sits on the advisory board for the Historic Hotels of America. George is the recipient of his alma mater’s Outstanding Service Award. He is also a committed member of both the Heritage Tree and Historical Marker Programs.

Tom Loun, OTIC CouncilTom Loun

In his third term with the council and OTE, Tom hopes to bring a regional and national perspective on the sign industry to the council’s table. A graduate of Central Washington State College in business administration, Tom has worked for Traffic Safety Supply Company in Portland for over 25 years. He has been a member of the West Linn Lions Club for a decade, filling several offices including president. Tom has been the “voice” of the West Linn High School Lions football and basketball teams for over 18 years.

Paul Mather, ODOT Representative on OTIC CouncilPaul Mather

Paul currently serves as the Highway Division Administrator for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), and is also the most recent appointee to the TIC. Prior to 2010, Paul served as Region 3 manager in Roseburg; he was responsible for the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operations of state highways. In recent years, Paul led ODOT’s response to the state’s deteriorating bridges by coordinating the Bridge Options Report, resulting in a legislatively approved $1.3 billion funding package. Paul is a licensed professional engineer with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Oregon State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Lewis and Clark College.

Maria Ponzi, OTIC CouncilMaria Ponzi Fogelstrom

Maria is proprietor and director of sales and marketing for Ponzi Vineyards in Beaverton, Oregon. She graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism and has been marketing director of her winery, restaurant and wine bar since 1990. Maria has been a member of several wine industry boards and associations, including the Oregon Wine Board, and currently serves on the Oregon Pinot Camp Board. Maria believes her marketing background and commitment to Oregon’s travel and tourism industry dovetails perfectly with OTE’s projects and planning.

David Porter, OTIC CouncilDavid Porter

David is currently Executive Director at Portland’s Leach Botanical Garden. Until 2009, he was instrumental in development at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. He also served as Portland’s “downtown living room” at Pioneer Courthouse Square and at NW Service Center, a neighborhood-owned community center in Northwest Portland. Porter has also worked at a variety of occupations including freelance writer. He graduated from Portland State University earning a Bachelor of Science in political science in 1975. As a volunteer, Porter has served as an officer on the Oregon Museum Association Board. He is immediate past-chair of the OTIC, past-president of the Western Museum Association and the Oregon City West Linn Rotary Club. Porter is a native of Portland, Oregon. When he can, he plays soccer, paints and writes.

Bob Russell, OTIC CouncilBob Russell

Bob joined TIC in May 2010. He is a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a bachelor’s in business. He also attended Lewis and Clark College’s public administration graduate school. Bob served as assistant commissioner (in the Transportation Program) at the Oregon Public Utility Commission, where he worked for 15 years. Bob also served as vice president at McCracken Motor Freight and is the current vice president of government affairs for the Oregon Trucking Associations. He has been elected as one of the council’s executive committee members for 2011.