Ted's journey into the travel and tourism industry started the summer after his sophomore year of college. A two-month backpacking trip throughout Europe ignited what has come to be a life-long passion for international travel. After spending a semester studying abroad in southern Spain and a summer in Southeast Asia, Ted graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor's degree in psychology. Getting a "real job" didn't sound like nearly as much fun as traveling, so he and a few friends decided to spend a year living, working, and exploring Australia and New Zealand. Living "down under" opened his eyes to the full scale of the tourism industry and solidified his desire to pursue it as a career. After returning from the southern hemisphere, Ted earned a master's degree in Tourism Studies from Arizona State University, where his thesis research investigated ecotourism development in Central America. Since then, Ted has focused his efforts on helping STI promote sustainable tourism development across the globe. In his free time, Ted enjoys most things outdoors, particularly skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and backcountry hiking.

Anna Williams, Director of Administration and Operations

Anna Williams grew up in rural Wyoming , where she developed a deep appreciation of wild places.  As the child of teachers, her summers were spent hiking, camping, hunting and fishing throughout the western US.  She discovered international travel by spending the summer after graduation backpacking through Europe with her sister.  Visits to China and Panama enlightened her of the impact tourists can have on the cultural and environmental heritage of destinations.  During college, Anna traveled multiple times to Haiti with a travel philanthropy group, buying local art at fair trade prices and selling it in the US to support the building of schools, housing for displaced widows, and agriculture projects. Anna graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Social Welfare Administration.  She now lives in White Salmon, WA with her wonderful husband, one-year-old son, and their beagle.  She works to protect the things she values most – clean air and water, social / environmental justice, and the opportunity for future generations to enjoy the wonderful places that have shaped her on her journey.

Marilyn Larden, Director UK Operations

Marilyn was born and continues to live in the suburbs of London. With a long career in the computer industry in senior consulting, sales and management roles; she is well equipped to understand corporate thinking and priorities. Importantly this career facilitated her passion for travel, be it for business or importantly for pleasure.

Shifting career in order to make a difference, and reaffirmed by a month long volunteer trip to South America, Marilyn began working for NGO’s. She developed the national awareness-raising Taste for Life exhibition at the Fairtrade Foundation, and whilst at the Campaign to Protect Rural England, was a national judge for the Calor Village of the Year.

Marilyn is a MBA and has a MSc in Environmental Sustainability, with experience that spans studying eco-tourism in Wales, to standards auditing and the carbon offset market. She profoundly believes that good for business and good for the planet do not have to be at odds. When she is not trying to persuade companies they can meet both their business and environmental goals Marilyn likes to walk, cycle and ski in mountains, and spend time with her family.

Val Vanderpool,
Assistant Director of Administration and Operations

Val Vanderpool grew up in the river canyons of northern Idaho, and has always found a way to live in places where she can spend most of her time outdoors. She has fostered a deep sense of commitment to sustainability in her everyday life, and sees the value in the connections we all have with the planet. Val studied Spanish at the University of Montana in Missoula, with an emphasis in Horticulture. After a six-month internship with the Program for Ecological and Agricultural Sustainability, she traveled to Chile to finish her degree, where she seriously contracted the travel bug. She spent a handful of years working first with migrant communities at a non-profit organization, and then seasonally wildland firefighting and landscaping, which allowed her to travel, live and work all over Latin America. Val believes that sustainability is a lifestyle choice, and works diligently to maintain a healthy relationship with the environment. She spends her free time looking for new trails and adventures on her mountain bike.

Gordon Woodcock has been involved with renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency for over 10 years. His background includes work with hydrogen fuel cells, algae based biofuels, solar electric and solar thermal systems. Gordon holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado – Boulder.

When he’s not thinking about energy, Gordon enjoys getting outside and enjoying the mountains, deserts and oceans, whichever is closest. Some of his favorite places outside of the U.S. include British Columbia, Ecuador and Spain.

Katie Baucom, Director of Operations, U.S. East Coast

Katie Baucom is from a small town outside of Raleigh, North Carolina. She received her bachelor’s degree in urban and regional planning with an emphasis in coastal management from East Carolina University. She is now working towards a master’s degree in geography, focusing on environmental planning and tourism development.  Katie is an avid scuba diver. Having spent time diving in places like Roatan, Cozumel , and Turks and Caicos, she developed a passion for environmental conservation and cultural heritage protection.  Her love of travel led to backpacking trip throughout Europe that furthered her desire for a career in sustainable tourism.  Katie now directs STI’s efforts on the East Coast in partnership with the Center for Sustainable Tourism at East Carolina University .