Oro Valley Appoints First Members To Tourism Advisory Commission

Commission created in June 2025
In June 2025, the Town Council created the Tourism Advisory Commission (TAC) to advise on strategies that attract visitors, strengthen local businesses, and highlight Oro Valley’s cultural, recreational, and natural assets. 

Initial Five members appointed on August 15
The Council appointed five resident members with staggered terms to ensure continuity on the Commission. It also named Councilmember Mary Murphy as the council liaison. Murphy is excited about what this brings to the town’s destination marketing effort. “As a resident and now as a council member, I’ve seen the significant contributions our residents can make to our town. This commission will add experienced voices to guide how we attract visitors and generate revenue. With over thirty excellent applicants, we selected five outstanding members, and I’m excited to see the work begin in September. Commission activities will be transparent, and our meetings will be open to all.”

Meet the five experienced voices
Sasha Case — term through December 2028

A 14-year resident, Case has been active in arts and culture outreach: leading and training public art tour guides, restarting tours after COVID, and creating school “Pop-Up Arts” exhibits. She served on the Tohono Chul board (chair for three years), is involved with the Oro Valley Theatre Company, and brings an artist/educator/small-business background focused on promoting local cultural assets.

Malarie Puggioni — term through December 2028
Puggioni has destination-marketing experience as Marketing Manager for the Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau, where she managed integrated campaigns, agencies, events, and business outreach. Her work also includes roles with the Downtown Seattle Association and Chicanos Por La Causa in Tucson. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and is a five-year Oro Valley resident.

Mark Van Buren — term through December 2028
Van Buren brings 50+ years in hospitality, including 14 years as General Manager of the Tucson University Park Marriott, executive roles with national hotel management companies, and leadership of a $250M hotel project for Ameristar Casinos. Locally, he served on the Visit Tucson board and consulted with Marana on downtown development. He has lived in Oro Valley for 16 years.

Tony D’Angelo — term through December 2027
D’Angelo has 50 years in hospitality spanning hotel management, brand development, and consulting, including work on the Embassy Suites startup team. In Oro Valley, he has served as president of Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf, as an HOA vice president, and on the Oro Valley Theatre Company board. He is a 17-year resident and advocates for packaging the town’s existing tourism assets to support local revenue and businesses.

Christopher DeSimone — term through December 2027
DeSimone’s background covers hotel sales/marketing, tour development with Gray Line (including an award-winning tour), and work associated with Visit Tucson’s “Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food” branding. A longtime radio/podcast host, he is Vice President of Business Development for Live the Dream Media and has served on regional tourism and economic committees. He has lived in Oro Valley for 30 years.

First meeting is September 15
The commission's first meeting starts at 4pm on September 15. It will be held in the Hopi Room at town offices. They will be welcomed by Mayor Winfield and District 1 County Supervisor and chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors Rex Scott. They will meet  monthly on the third week. The time and location will be the same.