Ricky Cortez’s Professional &

Community Volunteerism Background

 

 

Ricky Cortez, Executive Director of Poconos VRO and area alliance representative for Rent Responsibly, has been a passionate advocate for sensible regulations in short-term rentals. With a proven track record of building collaborative relationships between local government, residents, and vacation rental owners, Ricky's expertise has helped shape policies that balance community needs with the growing demand for short-term rentals. As a local owner and vacationer himself, he understands the importance of preserving the character of the community while promoting responsible tourism. His dedication to finding innovative solutions has earned him recognition as a thought leader in the industry. Ricky is committed to ensuring that the Poconos region remains a desirable destination for both residents and visitors alike.

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 “I was so extremely lucky to have intelligent and enthusiastic people like you helping shape its development (STR ordinance). Your personal input really helped shape what the draft looks like today, and I can’t thank you enough for your amazing contributions to this township.” - Former Tobyhanna Township Community Engagement Coordinator

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• PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • Poconos Association of Vacation Rental Owners

    • Executive Director​​

  • Witness.org an International Human Rights non-profit

    • Director of Technology

  • OWN Charter School

    • Director of Technology + Media & Community Outreach Coordinator

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• COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE​

  • Camelot Forest Conservation Association 

    • Board Member: Recreation Director 

  • 670 President Coop

    • Board Member of Coop, Brooklyn

  • LGBT Families

    • Founding Board Member.  Creating safe spaces for non-traditional family planning

  • Tuscan PTA

    • Board Corresponding Secretary. Website, Newsletter, and Community Communication liaison for Parents, Staff, and Students

  • Poconos Sewing Volunteers 

    • Immediate grassroots response to COVID-19 - organized local teams, and distributed 1,500 masks to essential workers and local organizations like the Pocono Hunger Pantries and Clymer Library & Fire Dept.

  • Poconos Vacation Homes 

    • A Community Reporting and Communication tool to bridge the gap between Residents, Owners who flexibly rent, and our Visitors

  • Rent Responsibly

    • Area alliance representative with PVH for the Pocono Region

  • LNVHHA

    • Executive Member. The Lake Naomi Vacation Home Host Alliance community exists to support and promote effective management of vacation rental activities within the Lake Naomi community

  • ALROA

    • ​Executive Member.  The goal is to ensure ongoing, positive contributions from owners who flexibly rent and overall activities in the ALCA community

  • AirBnB Ambassador & Expedia/Vrbo Alliance member

    • Dedicated to proper training, regulations, and balance locally and nationally for travelers

  • LNC Diversity Task Force - Diversity Statement

    • Communications Liaison

    • * Diversity Discussion: ADOPTION lead by Ricky Cortez

  • ALCA

    • Budget Committee​

      • Member

    • Restatement Process​

      • Involved in providing feedback for the Committee from the perspective of owners to vacation with their family and also rent.​

    • Technology Ad Hoc​ Team

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• PUBLISHED ARTICLES​

  • The Wall Street Journal

    • Secret Weapon to Fight State Laws: Its Hosts

  • Time News Online

    • STR conference connects owners, experts

  • ​The Boro & Towne - OP-ED

    • ​Vacation Rentals Are Community’s Lifeblood

  • Pocono Tourism - Video

    • ​Inside Short-Term Vacation Rentals in the Pocono Mountains

  • Rent Responsibly - Article

    • Peak Leadership - How Ricky Cortez models responsible vacation rental hosting in the Poconos 

      • * Top 10 Featured Articles of 2021!​