Tourism Cares Appoints Mike Rea Executive Director

mike reaTourism Cares has named Mike Rea as its next Executive Director as of July 8, 2013. Rea was selected following an extensive six month search, according to Brad Finkle, Chairman. Rea will assume the position held by Bruce Beckham since 2000. Beckham announced his intended retirement in September.

Rea, currently a Senior Program Officer with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle, Washington, comes to the position with significant expertise in the world of nonprofit management that is combined with a keen interest in travel and tourism, the association said. He has supported innovative philanthropy and impact as part of Bank of America’s Philanthropic Management unit and as part of the U.S. education program at Gates. As founder of the successful social enterprise Give2Asia founded in 2001, he has experience connecting a variety of donors to personalized, high-impact philanthropic activities.

Rea said: "Philanthropy and travel are two of the most potent sources families have for connecting with each other and expressing our interest and care for others. To have the chance to bring both of these together in meaningful ways for the causes we care about is a special honor.”

Beckham will become Executive Advisor. Tourism Cares also reports it is celebrating the 10th Anniversary of its signature volunteer program, Tourism Cares for America from May 29 through 31 in New York City. 

On May 29, three travel and tourism industry leaders, Phillip Gordon, Chairman of Globus; Steven Gorga, CEO of Travel Impressions and Bob Sullivan, EVP of Northstar Travel Media, will be inducted into the Tourism Hall of Fame at a gala reception and dinner at the Crowne Plaza Times Square

On May 31 more than 600 travel, tourism & hospitality industry professionals will gather at Brooklyn’s Coney Island and Jamaica Bay in Queens to help clean up and restore areas affected by Hurricane Sandy in the fall of 2012.  

Visit www.tourismcares.org