Chris Briggs - General Manager Sealink

Chairman Tony Baker

Tony Baker is the Managing Director of the Quicksilver Group, Australia’s largest reef tourism operator. The Quicksilver Group comprises Quicksilver’s Outer Reef and Low Isles cruises, Great Adventures’ Reef and Green Island cruises, Silver Series dive and snorkel excursions, Pro Dive Cairns, and, the eco-sensitive Green Island Resort. Based in Cairns and Port Douglas in Tropical North Queensland, the company conducts daily operations within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park’s outer reef and island destinations. Tony has extensive experience in the Australian tourism industry with key management and development roles in leading Queensland attractions. Tony is a Board Member of Tourism Queensland, Chairman of AMPTO (Australian Marine Park Tourism Operators) and a committee member for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority’s TRRAC (Tourism Reef Recreation Advisory Committee)

AMPTO Executive Committee

The AMPTO Executive Committee is very impressive with it almost being a Who's Who for the marine industry. With the exception of the Executive Director, none of the Board Members receives any remuneration for their Board activities and even the expenses incurred in attending meetings are incurred at the member's own expense. The Board Members are:

Chief Executive Officer  Gareth Phillips

Gareth has been involved with the marine tourism industry for 20 years. He owns a Great Barrier Reef research and education company.

Gareth has also been a skipper in the snorkeling and diving industry in Port Douglas and Cairns. Gareth has a strong passion for the Great Barrier Reef and he believes that the marine tourism industry has a critical role in its conservation. The marine tourism industry has faced many challenges, and that has never been more true now with the impact of the Coronavirus.

 

David Boyd - Hamilton Island

Adam Jones

Adam has over 25 years experience bringing adventure experiences to travellers in Far North Queensland, having led the business of Calypso Reef Cruises and Charters in Port Douglas prior to it's acquisition by Experience Co. Adam moved from the sea to the air in 2019, taking on the role of General Manager of Air Operations for Experience Co. His experience and knowledge was quickly recognised with Adam taking on the role of General Manager - Great Barrier Reef in late 2019. 

Tony Brown - True Blue Sailing and President of Whitsunday Charter Boat industry Association (WCBIA)

Deputy Chairman Alan Wallish

Alan has been actively involved in the tourism industry as an advocate for many years. He is the founder and co-owner of Passions of Paradise, a Cairns based reef tour operator established in 1989. Some of his current roles include Director, Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators and Director, Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC). This not-for-profit body works with over 38 organisations translating science based ecological knowledge into improved environmental outcomes. Alan's company is also part of the Coral Nurture Program, engaging in local reef restoration efforts in partnership with the University of Technology, Sydney. Passions of Paradise is a GBRMPA High Standard Operator, an Australian Tourism Award Winner and holds Climate Leader Status with Eco Tourism Australia.

Trevor Rees - Whitsunday Escape and President of Whitsunday Bareboat Operators Assiciation