HTA Announces Interim President and CEO

The Hawai’i Tourism Authority announced Thursday that Ronald Williams has been appointed by the HTA board of directors as the interim president and CEO.

As of Nov. 21, Williams will take over responsibilities following the departure of current HTA President and CEO Mike McCartney.

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

In 2009, Williams was appointed to the HTA board of directors. From 2010 through 2014, he served as board chair. Currently, Williams is president and CEO of Atlantis Adventures.

“It is an honored to have been selected as the interim president and CEO during this transitional period,” said Williams. “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 Hawai’i’s visitor industry and wish him well in his new position as he continues to serve the state of Hawai’i.”

McCartney served as HTA president and CEO in 2009, where he helped to lead the state’s visitor industry to two consecutive record-breaking years in visitor spending and arrivals. This year, the state is on track for a third year of growth.

Beginning Dec. 1, McCartney will become chief-of-staff for Governor-elect David Ige.

The HTA board of directors has established a search investigative committee and authorized the administrative standing committee to appoint HTA board members and representatives from the community to serve on the search investigative committee. The HTA will officially announced the job opening, qualifications and selection criteria once the position has been posted.

The HTA was established in 1998 as the state’s tourism agency. It is responsible for strategically managing tourism in Hawai’i to optimize benefits that integrate the interest of visitors, the community and visitor industry.