Michigan Travel Commission

Patrick Brys, Chair

First Term (10/16/20 - 8/20/24)

Patrick Brys serves as President and CEO of Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery located in Traverse City, Michigan.  Founded in 2005 and comprised of 111 acres on Old Mission Peninsula, Brys Estate operates a 55-acre vineyard, wine production facility, tasting room, bed & breakfast, and 12-acre lavender garden and gift shop. Patrick joined his family business in 2009 and is responsible for overseeing daily operations as well as creating, communicating, and implementing Brys Estate's vision and overall direction.  Patrick also serves as Marketing Chair for the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail – a 10 member group responsible for marketing strategy and trail branding for one of Michigan’s most popular wine trails.  An avid home chef, in 2015 Patrick launched his “In the Kitchen at Brys Estate” and “Patrick’s Pairings” video series - receiving over 1 million views through social media channels.  Patrick holds a Level I Sommelier Certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers, a Bachelor of Arts from Brooks Institute, and is a graduate of the Wine Executive Program at the University of California at Davis Graduate School of Management.

First Term (12/18/20 - 8/20/23)

Senior Director of Sales & Earned Revenue at The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.

First Term (10/16/20 - 8/20/24)

Estler, Executive Director of Travel Marquette, oversees the Marquette County Destination Marketing Organization in the Upper Peninsula. Her 20-year tourism career began in Florida with two different destinations--Bradenton and Panama City Beach in senior-level marketing positions. She later moved to Scranton, PA as the executive director for the Lackawanna County Convention and Visitors Bureau before being recruited by Travel Marquette to serve as executive director. In addition to her current role Estler is a member of Governor Whitmer’s Pure Michigan Pledge Task Force and is on Destinations International’s Membership Committee as well as their Small DMO Task Force.

First Term (12/06/21 - 8/20/25)

Furbush, President and CEO of the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau has been an active leader in the tourism industry for the past 20 years.  A graduate of Central Michigan University, she is proud to represent the business community of one of Michigan's most beloved destinations.  While Frankenmuth is her home and she is a member of many local boards, she's served the greater tourism industry as a past Chair of Michigan Meeting Professionals International, Michigan Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus and the Travel Industry Coalition of Michigan.  She is passionate about not only the economic benefits of the tourism industry to Michigan, but the quality of life and wellness that travel experiences provide throughout the great state of Pure Michigan. 

First Term (12/06/21 - 8/20/25)

Darren Ing serves as the Director of the Michigan Association of Recreation Vehicles & Campgrounds (MARVAC).  He is a Board member and past President for the Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan (TICOM).  Darren graduated from Northern Michigan University and is outdoor enthusiast.

First Term (8/20/19 - 8/20/23)

Jim MacInnes is a strong advocate of outdoor recreation which brings economic, social and public health benefits to Michigan communities.  He is Chairman and co-owner of Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa, a 1500 acre ski, golf and conference resort near Traverse City.  He moved from Southern California in 1985 with his wife, Chris, to join the family-owned business. Jim also serves as chair of the Michigan Utility Consumer Participation board and previously served on the Michigan Ski Area Safety board and the Great Lakes Offshore Wind council. He holds Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering and MBA degrees from the University of California, Irvine. Jim is also an avid skier, cyclist and golfer.

First Term (8/20/19 - 8/20/23)

Dale A. Robertson currently serves as the President and CEO of the Grand Rapids Public Museum. In that capacity, he is responsible for leading the strategic direction and implementation of institutional goals.  Prior to his work at the Public Museum, Dale spent 19 years at Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM). While there, he led the corporation’s 53-county West Michigan and Upper Peninsula Operations as its Vice President. Dale acted as Director of State Legislative Relations for the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce where he advocated on behalf of the Detroit area business community at the State Capitol. Dale also worked in the Michigan State Senate as a Legislative Aide to State Senator James DeSana, Chair of the Appropriations Committee.  Dale received his Juris Doctor from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School while working full time.  He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from James Madison College at Michigan State University.

First Term (10/16/20 - 8/20/24)

Julie Rogers is Boyne Highlands Resort’s Director of Marketing. In her role, she oversee advertising, branding, and promotions of the charming all-season resort located in Harbor Springs in the northwest corner of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Julie has an extensive marketing background working for nearly 15 years within the tourism and hospitality sectors, including most recently serving as the Director of Marketing for Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island for the past 9 years.  Prior to that, Julie worked for several creative agencies over the span of 12 years handling national level brand accounts. Julie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing with an emphasis in management information systems from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Julie enjoys traveling with her family while finding new places to explore on the Michigan coasts, spending time outdoors, staying active with her children, and enjoying the University of Michigan culture while being at home in Ann Arbor.

First Term (2/21/23 - 8/22/26)

Mr. Glenn Stevens, of Royal Oak, is the executive director of MICHauto and serves as the Detroit Regional Chamber’s vice president of automotive and mobility initiatives. He received a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a master’s degree in business administration from Michigan State University.

First Term (2/21/23 - 8/22/26)

Mr. Frank Tecumseh, of Battle Creek, is CEO for FireKeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Computer Information Systems from Haskell Indian Nations University, a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from the University of Phoenix, and a Master of Business Administration from Baker University.

First Term (12/6/21 - 8/20/25)

Liz began her hospitality career with Destinations International, the association of destination marketing organizations based in Washington, DC. She was then heavily involved with hospitality leaders, meetings, and events as the Chief Rainmaker at the American Society of Association Executives.  She ran the association’s publications, fundraising events, and built their sponsor and partner programs bringing association decision makers together with hotel, convention center, airlines, and service industries throughout the world. 

When not growing Mission Point, you can find Liz in her gardens with delphinium, dahlias, or zinnias, renovating distressed properties or reading the latest cookbook. 

First Term (12/06/21 - 8/20/25)

Brian Yopp is the Director of Programs and Operations of the MotorCities National Heritage Area, an affiliate of the National Park Service dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and promoting the automotive and labor heritage of the State of Michigan.  Having born and raised in Detroit, Brian has always been surrounded by the rich heritage of southeast Michigan and enjoys the opportunity to connect the stories across the region.

Brian arrived in the non-profit field after a career in education teaching middle school language arts in Detroit. He has been part of the MotorCities National Heritage Area team since 2007.  In the time there his role has expanded to oversee all programming and grant programs bridging the gap between a project’s conceptualization and its realization. His primary role is to be the coordinator of the community partners across MotorCities’ 10,000 square miles. 

Brian is an alumnus of Eastern Michigan University. Along with his work at MotorCities he also served on the Board of Trustees at the National Automotive History Collection of the Detroit Public Library and serves in the Trustee Ministry at New Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Highland Park, MI. He lives in Southfield, MI with his wife and two children.