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Senior Advisors from the US and Asia


Explore Asia Advisors: Providing valued expertise and support

Darryl Johnson, Seattle
Former US Ambassador to Thailand


Darryl Johnson had a long and distinguished career as a Foreign Service Officer, culminating in his final posting as U.S. Ambassador to Thailand. He retired from the Foreign Service in early 2005 and now teaches an international studies class at his alma mater, the University of Washington, where he graduated cum laude in 1960.

Before joining the Foreign Service, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand. When he returned as ambassador thirty plus years later, hundreds of his former students and friends welcomed him back to the northern Thai city of Lamphun.

Darryl has held key positions in India, Hong Kong, Moscow, Beijing, Lithuania and Taipei as well as in Washington DC. He speaks fluent Mandarin and Thai, Russian, Polish and yes, some Lithuanian. His wife Kathleen is a textile collector, researcher and author. Her passion for Southeast Asian textiles extends beyond the academic. She supports the work of weavers in Northeastern Thailand and is back in the villages at every opportunity.

The Johnsons are wise advisors, consummate introducers and supporters.

Pituck Jongnarangsin, Bangkok
Director, ADCC,Dhurakit Pundit University


Pituck Jongnarangsin has a degree in sociology and anthropology from Thammasat University, Thailand, with a post graduate degree in international resources and development from University of Leeds, UK. He has worked with international social and environmental organizations including the Thailand Environmental Institute, the Japan Foundation and two Danish environmental organizations. In his last position with Six Senses Resorts and Spas, he lead award winning social and environmental programs.

As Director of Dhurakit Pundit University's Asia Pacific Development Communication Centre, he is charged with implementing key projects in multi-sectoral and multi-cultural settings.

Khun Pituck's clear vision and absolute commitment to social and environmental issues are in line with Explore Asia's core philosophy. He and Explore Asia partner Nancy Harkrider collaborate on corporate social responsibility articles.

Somock Inthavong, Chiang Mai
General Manager ("Guru") at Dusit's D2


Somock Inthavong has a distinguished career in hotel management. Born in Vientiane, he left Laos at the age of five to study in France, ultimately graduating from the Lausanne Hotel Management School in Switzerland.

His career in the hotel industry has taken him to San Francisco, Bali and then Singapore where Explore Asia's partners first met Somock and his wife Bo twelve years ago. He then took a position at The Regent in Chiang Mai so he and Bo could be closer to their Lao roots. With D2, Somock had the opportunity to create a property that is hip, unique and exciting.

Somock offers thoughtful insights through his unique world view, as well as deep experience in and sensitivity to the complex dichotomies of the tourism industry

Brian Mullis, Boulder, Colorado
President, Sustainable Travel International


Brian is a co-founder of Sustainable Travel International with the mission of promoting responsible travel and facilitating the travel and tourism industry's move toward sustainability.

He has over 19 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. He began his career spending summers during college working in national parks in Wyoming, Montana and Utah. He was the President and owner of The World Outdoors, an international adventure travel company specializing in active and eco-travel.

He has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a focus on Business from Auburn University and a Master's Degree in Recreation Management from Springfield College.

Best of all, he has amazing commitmen and insight. When he talks, we listen and think you will benefit as well.

Tan Kim Leng, Singapore
Managing Director, Knowledge Drivers Asia


Kim Leng oversees the business development and operations of KDI Asia, a professional services firm in Singapore and the region.

Kim Leng is an innovator who is strongly committed to helping organizations manage change and thrive in complex environments. He has consulted widely for organizations in Singapore's government as well as the private sector. His regional consulting engagements include Mauritius, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

He has an MBA from Nanyang Technological University, is active in Singapore's professional community and is a frequent speaker in the region.

Kim Leng is a friend of long standing and a business partner who we can trust for his perspective on performance and managing change, a core need in the tourism industry.

Teri L. Trettin, Tacoma
CTC, President of Carlson Wagonlit Travel Center


Teri is well respected for her business expertise and her active commitment to the community.

She is a member of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, and is also active in Rotary, SKAL, president of the Pacific Northwest chapter of the American Society of Travel Agents, executive board of Pierce County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the World Trade Center, of which she is a former president.

Since her entry into the travel industry in 1979 and opening her own agency in 1980, she has developed the company into the largest agency in the South Puget Sound. In 2005, her dedication earned her Carlson Wagonlit Travel Association's most prestigious award, the Carlson Golden Legacy Award.

Teri not only brings a wealth of strategic and practical travel industry experience to the table, but she gives us advice and suggestions "straight up", a very valuable trait in an advisor.

Mae Perm, Chiang Mai Province
Matriarch, Elephant Nature Park


This was a conscious, symbolic decision to include Mae Perm in our board of advisors because she represents a commitment to sustainable tourism by acknowledging the wisdom of these gentle giants who are now endangered. She can be reached through her human friends at Elephant Nature Park. http://www.elephantnaturepark.org
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