Participating Innovators

Pat Tierney
Chair and Professor, Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism
San Francisco State University

Patrick Tierney received a Ph.D. from Colorado State University in Recreation Resources Management in 1991. As chairman of the Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Department at San Francisco State University he is responsible for strategic planning, the program budget, scheduling courses and managing staff. In addition to his academic pursuits, Pat was co-owner/operator for 25 years, of Adrift Adventures, an adventure travel and ecotourism business offering summer whitewater rafting and adventure learning programs in Colorado, Utah and Alaska. The company was nominated for the CondéNast Traveler Magazine International Ecotourism Award.

Pat is also actively involved in recreation research, having completed projects for clients like the U.S. National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, California Coastal Conservancy, Belize Tourist Board, Alcatraz Cruises and Great America theme park. He is the author of many articles and is co-author of the textbook Recreation, Event and Tourism Businesses; Startup and Sustainable Operations (2009). Pat has made numerous presentations at state, national and international conferences.

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