Tourism Cares Appoints Mike Rea Executive Director

Tourism 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.