To the uninitiated, it should be noted that Jon Tullis is the director of public
affairs at Timberline Lodge.

To those who have been keeping up on things, Tullis is also a Forest Service
liaison, special events coordinator, spokesman for the lodge, governmental
affairs manager, and an all-around advocate for the National Historic
Landmark Timberline Lodge for more than three decades, as the Oregon
Tourism Commission (aka: Travel Oregon), recently reminded us.
And April 30, at the 2018 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism in Bend,
Tullis was presented with the Gene Leo Memorial Sustainable Tourism Award
for his outstanding contribution for a tourism-related activity focused on
Oregon’s natural beauty.

“This was extra special for me because the recognition came from such a
great group of people, my friends and colleagues in the tourism industry.
We’ve worked together for thirty years.” Tullis said. “This particular award is
also meaningful because I had the honor of working with Gene Leo many
years ago when Timberline’s Golden Rose Ski Classic was a part of the
Portland Rose Festival.”

The Gene Leo Award was established in 1994 to honor Leo’s work and
contributions to Oregon tourism as director of the Oregon Zoo, Portland Rose
Festival and the Portland Oregon Visitors Association.

Award recipients are outstanding professionals who demonstrate perseverance
and dedication to the state. “They go the extra mile,” the commission wrote in
a press release.

Tullis has also served on the Oregon Heritage Commission, Ski Oregon, the
Pacific Northwest Ski Area Association, Travel Oregon’s Sustainable Tourism
Advisory Council and is a member of the Outdoor Recreation Initiative
Leadership Team.

Fittingly, Tullis turned to the towering presence of Mount Hood and the iconic
lodge. “When all is said and done, I wouldn’t have gotten this award if it
weren’t for the crown jewel of the mountain – Timberline Lodge.”