IAATO votes in new chairman, executive committee members

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From left, new IAATO Executive Committee Chair John McKeon of Polar Latitudes and committee members Brandon Harvey (Quark Expeditions) and Jørn Henriksen (Viking)
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators appointed John McKeon as chair and welcomed Brandon Harvey and Jørn Henriksen to the executive committee.

McKeon, co-founder and owner of Polar Latitudes, has been involved in Antarctic travel since 2004 and an active member of IAATO since 2010. He joined the membership committee in 2014 and served as chair from 2017 to 2021 when he was elected to the executive committee. He also served on the tourism growth working group.

Harvey is senior director, expedition operations at Quark Expeditions and Henriksen is director of expedition operations at Viking.

'As we emerge from a very challenging time and face new challenges, I continue to see great possibilities for the future of our industry and the unique organization we all love,' McKeon said.

Succeeds Tudor Morgan

He succeeds Tudor Morgan, who stepped down after serving on the executive committee for the maximum term of five years, the last two as chair.

Morgan, VP government and industry relations at HX, has been part of IAATO for 15 years and remains on the association’s climate change committee.

'Tudor has been instrumental in navigating the association through the legacy challenges presented by the pandemic, and an invaluable support in shaping and implementing IAATO’s five-year strategic plan; "Embracing our Role as Antarctic Stewards,"' IAATO Executive Director Gina Greer said.

She called McKeon a 'dedicated and knowledgeable presence' on the executive committee for the last three years ... I’m looking forward to working further with him and welcoming Jørn and Brandon in their new roles.'

Other executive committee members

The new appointees join executive committee members Diana Galimberti, EVP operations and product at Antarctica21, and Sibrand Hassing, director of fleet operations Europe for Holland America Line, both appointed in 2021.

The appointments were made following a vote at IAATO’s recent annual meeting in Annapolis, Maryland.