Tourism Authority Appoints Maui’s Williams as Interim CEO

Ron Williams

By Maui Now Staff

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, the state’s tourism agency, announced the appointment of Ronald Williams as the interim president and CEO of the agency.

Williams will take over responsibilities effective Nov. 21, 2014, following the departure of current HTA President and CEO Mike McCartney, who is leaving to take on a post as governor-elect David Ige’s chief of staff.

“Ron brings with him an incredible wealth of knowledge of the HTA and more than 30 years of experience in Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry,” said Aaron J. Sala, HTA board chair in a press release. “We are pleased that he could step in and ease the transition for the HTA, as we search for a permanent president and CEO.”

Williams was appointed to the HTA board of directors in 2009, and served as board chair from 2010 through 2014. He is currently the president and CEO of Atlantis Adventures of Maui.

In accepting the interim appointment, Williams said, “I am committed to working with the HTA board and staff on maintaining the success of our tourism economy. On behalf of the HTA, I would like to extend a sincere mahalo to Mike McCartney for serving Hawaiʻi’s visitor industry and wish him well in his new position as he continues to serve the state of Hawaiʻi.”

The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority was established in 1998 and is responsible for “strategically managing tourism to optimize benefits for Hawaiʻi that integrate the interest of visitors, the community and visitor industry.”