U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has named executives from four convention and visitors bureaus to the 29-member United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.

The CVB or destination marketing appointees are Rossi Ralenkotter, president and chief executive officer, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; Stephen Perry, president and CEO, New Orleans CVB; George Zimmerman, vice president, Travel Michigan; and Perry John Tenorio, managing director, Marianas Visitors Authority.

Locke has tapped Ralenkotter to be chairman of the board. "I look forward to working with the board to continue to promote the importance of the travel and tourism industry to our nation's economy," said Ralenkotter, who will be sworn in as chairman in April.

Others named to the board include representatives from hotels, attractions, airports, airlines, and travel companies. Among them are John Sprouls, CEO, Universal Orlando Resort; Chuck Floyd, chief operating officer—North America, Hyatt Hotels Corp.; Hubert Joly, president and CEO, Carlson Cos.; and Richard Anderson, CEO, Delta Air Lines. The board, which is appointed every two years, has been expanded to include appointees from a broad cross-section of companies related to the travel industry.

“The health and stability of the travel and tourism industry touches all regions and impacts employment and economic strength across the country,” Locke said in a press release. “I look forward to working with the travel and tourism board to develop policies that can help put Americans back to work in this critical sector.”

The board is charged with advising Locke on government policies, programs, and all matters related to the U.S. travel and tourism industry. It also provides a forum for discussing and proposing solutions to industry-related concerns, according to a press release issued by the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries.