Tourism Commission Members

Greg Willitts is President and partner at FivePine Lodge and Spa in Sisters. FivePine was a family effort, planned, designed and constructed by Greg and his parents. Greg has served as a board member and President for the Sisters Area Chamber and an advisor, sponsor and volunteer for some of Central Oregon's most renowned events: the state's largest MTB race, Sisters Stampede, the Fresh Hop Festival and host of the Happy Girls Run in FivePine's backyard, the Deschutes National Forest.

Harish Patel has served, and currently serves, on several boards in the travel and hospitality industry, including Immediate Past Chair on the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association Board of Directors, Board of Directors on the Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) Owners Association and Vice Chairman of the Choice Hotel Owners Council Board of Directors. Harish is an Engineering Graduate with a Doctorate in Fluid Mechanics from the University of Birmingham, England and currently resides in Portland with his wife, Bina. In his current role as President of Florencein, Inc. he mentors individuals from disadvantaged and under-resourced communities to build successful careers in the hospitality industry.

Lucinda DiNovo began her career in the gaming and hospitality industry 22 years ago. She is the Director of Sales and Events for The Mill Casino • Hotel & RV Park owned and operated by The Coquille Indian Tribe in North Bend, Oregon. Lucinda has a degree in Business Management and Marketing from Oregon State University. She is a Coos Bay City Councilor, Coos Bay-North Bend Visitor & Convention Bureau Board Member, Past President of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, American Leadership Forum Senior Fellow, and has served on numerous boards including the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association, Board of Trustees for Coos History Museum, Steering Committee Member for the foundation of Travel Southern Oregon Coast, and Advisory Committee Member for the International Port of Coos Bay.

David Gremmels has been President of Rogue Creamery since 2002 and is a leader in promoting and supporting sustainable and organic agriculture and Oregon's producers, makers and growers. In 2012, 2016 and 2021 David was appointed to the Governor’s Sustainability Board of Oregon. David also serves as an advisory board member for Oregon State University’s Food Science, Technology and Engineering Department. He led the creation and development of the Central Point’s Artisan Corridor in 2003 and the Oregon Cheese Festival in 2006 attracting thousands of visitors annually. David grew up on a farm in the Pacific Northwest and received his Bachelor of Business Administration and Marketing from Pacific Lutheran University in 2003.

Travis Hill brings over 25 years of expertise to the tourism and hospitality industry. As Chief Operating Officer at Umpqua Indian Development Corporation (UIDC), he plays a pivotal role in the company’s growth and expansion, while also overseeing operations for nine businesses of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians, including the notable Seven Feathers Casino Resort. Travis is a recognized leader who actively participates in various working groups, such as the Oregon Tribes Economic Development & Community Services and Travel Oregon’s Tribal Tourism, championing economic development alongside sustainable and responsible tourism practices. A Southern Oregon native, Travis resides in Roseburg, relishing the outdoors, cherishing time with family and actively supporting regional charitable events and organizations.

Heather Miller is the General Manager of Accommodations for The Ground in Yamhill County. The Ground strives to connect farm, food and people through hospitality. Heather has served as a board member for the McMinnville Downtown Association, McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce, Carlton Business Association and the Yamhill Downtown Association. Heather was awarded Oregon Main Street Board Member of the Year in 2022 for her leadership of the McMinnville Downtown Association during the pandemic. Heather resides in Carlton and is an avid adventure seeker and lover of the outdoors.

Nick Pearson is the General Manager of Jupiter Hotel and Jupiter NEXT in Portland, a managing partner of Motolodge in downtown Pendleton and co-owner of the Portland Metro food truck chain MidCity SmashedBurger. He currently serves on the board of Travel Pendleton and is the past chair of the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association's government affairs committee. After graduating with a degree in microbiology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Nick started in the industry as a housekeeper at Timberline Lodge and has spent the last 17 years working in nearly every operational position across the hotel and restaurant industries. In his free time Nick likes to get out and ski, enjoy Portland's dining scene and traveling with his wife and daughter.

David Penilton is co-owner of America’s Hub World Tours and Oregon Tour Experts. With a bachelor of science, business management degree and over 20+ years experience in domestic & International Global Logistics Management, David currently serves on the Board of Directors for Travel Lane County, Oregon Tourism Commission, Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission (MERC) and Willamette Falls Locks Authority Commission. He is past Chair of the Clackamas County Tourism Development Counsel, Travel Portland and Our Children Oregon along with many other accomplishments.

With nearly 30 years of experience in the tourism industry, Jenifer brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in rural Oregon. Her dedication to promoting Oregon's natural beauty and cultural heritage has fueled her passion for sustainable tourism that supports local economies and enhances community livability. Jenifer owns and operates Crater Lake Zipline located in the Klamath Basin. She continues her family's legacy by working alongside her husband and two adult children.