NEWS RELEASE: For Immediate Release
Contact: Laurie McConnell
Idaho Commerce-Tourism Development
208.287.0781
laurie.mcconnell@tourism.idaho.gov
Governor Little Appoints At-Large Member to Idaho Travel Council
Idaho Travel Council advises Idaho Commerce on tourism policy and grant awards
BOISE, Idaho (April 1, 2021) — Governor Brad Little has appointed Earl Sullivan to the Idaho Travel Council (ITC). He will serve as the at-large representative for a three-year term.
Mr. Sullivan is the owner and head winemaker for Telaya Wine Co. in Garden City, Idaho’s only riverfront winery, and the owner/principal at E2S Consulting. Mr. Sullivan worked on postgraduate studies in molecular biology at the University of Kentucky before beginning his career in international logistics for the oil and gas industry. He later worked in upper management positions for several energy and healthcare-related companies before applying his biology and chemistry training to winemaking. Since opening Telaya Wine Co. in 2011, his family-owned winery has garnered multiple awards including Winery of the Year and top red wine in Idaho two of the last three years in the Idaho Wine Competition. With a focus on hospitality, the winery is a destination for both locals and visitors.
In addition to his responsibilities at Telaya and E2S, Mr. Sullivan is the Chairman of the Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission and serves on the Board of Directors for the Boise Convention & Visitors Bureau, Garden City Visitors Bureau, and several private companies.
“We are excited to have Mr. Sullivan as the newest member of the Idaho Travel Council,” said Tom Kealey, Idaho Commerce Director. “I have known Earl for many years. He is a successful entrepreneur with broad marketing knowledge and experience and a passion for quality. He loves his family and enjoys traveling. These attributes would be welcome on any council and we are fortunate to have him join the ITC.”
Mr. Sullivan lives in Hidden Springs, ID, with his wife, Carrie, and two teenage sons. The entire family works at the winery, with Carrie and Earl sharing winemaking and operational activities while modeling the values of hard work, perseverance integrity and accountability to their boys. The family enjoys exploring Idaho’s diverse activities through hiking, camping, skiing and sampling all of the culinary opportunities the state has to offer.
The Idaho Travel Council’s primary purpose is to advise the Idaho Department of Commerce-Tourism Development activities and programs. The council also awards grants to applicants of the Idaho Regional Travel and Convention Grant Program. Additionally, council members work closely with tourism organizations and businesses in Idaho on viable marketing opportunities and ways to represent their interests to state government.
The Idaho Travel Council consists of eight Governor-appointed members: seven members each representing one of Idaho’s development regions, and one member appointed at-large.
For a full list of council members, please visit:
http://commerce.idaho.gov/tourism-resources/idaho-travel-council