For immediate release

December 17, 2019

Contact: Jessica Dacey, Directorof Communications

Phone: 760-820-2275 Email: jessica@mdlt.org

Joshua Tree, CA – Visionary hotelier Brad Wilson has joined the board of directors of the Mojave Desert Land Trust. Wilson’s experience with leading hotel brands and his global outlook will enhance the board’s future development and management of the Land Trust’s brand and core programs.

Wilson is President and Co-Partner of Ace Hotel Group and Atelier Ace, where he oversees development of new hotels and hotel operations.

After attending Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, Wilson first honed his skills at major hospitality brands like Hilton International, Park Hyatt and Westin. He launched the first W Hotel and helped to guide the Starwood brand’s early days, rising to Vice President of Operations for W Worldwide. Directly prior to helming Ace Hotel, he helped build James Hotels from the ground up, serving as CEO.

Wilson recently purchased a home in the Joshua Tree area and he has a great passion for the Mojave Desert’s resources and landscapes.

Wilson recently shared his desire to work with MDLT, “I was first attracted to Joshua Tree for the art community but quickly learned to appreciate the land over everything. The spirit of the desert, the sky, the wildlife, and the views have gotten into my soul. I quickly learned I wanted to help preserve this natural beauty and saw the work MDLT was doing as critical to the desert’s future.”

Wilson’s appointment comes at a time when the Mojave Desert Land Trust has achieved new conservation milestones. Since 2006, it has acquired over 80,000 acres across the California desert and donated more tracts of land to the National Park Service nationally than any other nonprofit.

Wilson’s appointment builds on an already accomplished board. Membership currently includes John Simpson, real estate executive, Peter Brooks, Iraq veteran and water expert and executive, Gwen Barker, a local business owner and marketing professional, Robyn Helmlinger, a law partner at Orrick, Kelly Herbinson, a biologist and desert tortoise conservation researcher, and Ron Radziner, renowned architect.

“The Mojave Desert Land Trust is honored to have Brad Wilson join our distinguished board of directors. As someone with a passion for service and creativity, he will bring new insights, vision, and energy to our work to conserve precious public lands in the California desert.” – Geary Hund, Executive Director, Mojave Desert Land Trust

The Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to protect and care for lands with natural, scenic, and cultural value within the Mojave Desert. Since its founding in 2006 the land trust has conserved more than 80,000 acres, donating more tracts of land to the National Park Service in the last decade than any other organization. In addition to acquiring land, the land trust established a seed bank to ensure the preservation of native species. MDLT operates an onsite nursery at its Joshua Tree headquarters which propagates native species for ecosystem restoration. MDLT educates and advocates for the conservation of the desert, involving hundreds of volunteers in our work. For more information, visit mdlt.org.