Maugery has spent nearly a decade with Israel’s Ministry of Tourism working with the organization’s Foreign Investor Relations Office to bring international investments to Israel’s hospitality industry. During his tenure, the former lawyer also forged relationships with outside developers and hotel brands helping to guide their projects to fruition. In his new role, Maugery has already initiated and implemented the Israel Hotel Investment Summit (IHIS), an international conference addressing hotel investment opportunities in Israel. The summit is now an annual event held in Tel Aviv.

The Israel Ministry of Tourism also welcomed three additional members to its staff: Allen Kantorowitz, Kort Weldon and Matthew Ryan Tally. Kantorowitz, who most recently served as director and sales for a trio of Manhattan hotels, has been named business development manager overseeing the ministry’s northeast team. Kantorowitz has also held positions with several convention and visitors bureaus, including New York City and Houston, as well as serving in a leadership role with Delta Air Lines.

Joining the ministry as the new faith-based marketing director is Kort Weldon, whose new mission is to work closely with the U.S. southern regions and its many community and religious-based organizations. As the son of Texas-based pastors, Weldon brings with him a ministry and spiritual background. He most recently lived in Nashville while pursuing a songwriting career before transitioning to his current position.

The ministry’s Midwest Region of Chicago welcomes Matthew Ryan Tally as its new public relations director. Prior to his appointment with the Israel Ministry of Tourism, Tally was a member of the pastoral ministry for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). As public relations director, he’ll work to promote Israel to 13 states while initiating, cultivating and fostering relationships with members of the media as well as travel organizations and religious congregations across North America.