Who’s Who on the Bermuda Tourism Authority board

Welcome to the third weekly Q&A to keep you up-to-date on developments at the new Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA). As you may have heard, the BTA has a new Board of Directors and we would like to introduce them to you.

The Board of Directors is responsible for assisting the Chairman in the activities of the BTA including attendance at board meetings, developing committees as needed and advising on operational and strategic matters of the organisation. Each individual has made a huge commitment to helping Bermuda and our tourism industry and we are very grateful to them, particularly the two international Board members, Earl Graves and Allison Reid, who will bring international knowledge and perspective to the Board’s deliberations.

David Dodwell (chairman), owner of The Reefs in Bermuda and Nisbet Plantation in Nevis. 

David Dodwell has more than four decades of experience in the hospitality industry.  Mr. Dodwell is a former Minister of Tourism for Bermuda, once served as the president of the Bermuda Hotel Association and is a member of the Resort Committee of the American Hospitality & Lodging Association.  

Phil Barnett, director and president, Island Restaurant Group. In addition to extensive experience in the hospitality and leisure industry through ownership of well-known Bermudian restaurants, Mr. Barnett serves as a board member on the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce.

Peter Everson, president of PE Consultants Ltd.  Mr. Everson has extensive experience in investment banking, fund management, private equity and private banking. He serves as a non-executive director for Delphi Management Ltd. and Shell Trust Bermuda Limited and a board member for the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Bermuda International Companies.

Earl “Butch” Graves, president & CEO of BLACK ENTERPRISE. Mr. Graves is responsible for the strategic positioning and overall profitability of BLACK ENTERPRISE, for which he has also worked extensively in sales and marketing. The corporation includes magazine publishing, television production, digital media and business and lifestyle events.

Jessica Mello, director of Consulting Services, Deloitte Bermuda. Ms. Mello is experienced in economic planning, feasibility analysis and strategy for tourism destinations, including visitor attractions, mixed-use destination resorts, entertainment retail districts, sporting destinations, iconic structures, waterfronts and infrastructure. She is also a member of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce Economics Committee and the Executive Steering Committee leading the transition to the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

Allison Reid, senior vice president of Real Estate, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.. Ms. Reid has extensive experience in hospitality and finance and is responsible for the growth of Starwood Hotels throughout North America. She is a member of the management board of EquityCo, LLC and OpBiz LLC and also serves as Vice President of Investor Relations at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

Paul Telford, hotel manager at Rosewood Tucker’s Point. Mr. Telford has 13 years of international management experience in luxury hotels in the United States, Mexico, Hawaii and Bermuda. Mr. Telford oversees hotel operations at Tucker’s Point and has held multiple leadership roles in all areas of hotel operations for leading luxury hotel brands. 

Allison Towlson, regional executive and COO for ACE. Ms. Towlson has an extensive background in underwriting operations, corporate reporting, training and development and marketing in the insurance industry. She serves as a Chairperson for the Insurance Development Council, Board Member for the Bermuda Business Development Agency, associate for the Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII), a mentor under the Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies and member of the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurance (ABIR) working committee on contract certainty. 

Source: Bermuda Tourism Authority