John Ole Tira serves as chairman of the MGA and comes from the Mara, Oloolaimutia area. Ole Tira has worked as a free-lance tour guide since 2009. He began his career as an educator trained in Early Childhood Development by the Ministry of Education. He went on to work for Friends of Conservation (FOC), an international conservation-based charity, where he operated as a Habitat Protection Officer, Greater Mara Region Scouts Coordinator, and Community Conservation Center Manager for two years. He was part of FOC’s Forestry Unit where he took part in conservation efforts, including the establishment and management of a tree nursery and woodlots; seed collection and storage; and engaged visitors in ecotourism trips. Ole Tira attended DICE University where he was trained in wildlife surveying and GIS as well as the Maasai Technical Training Institute, where he was trained in Popular Participatory Evaluation Process (PEP), including modules on community mobilization and empowerment tools, data analysis, and project design. He worked as Kipini Conservancy Manager and Scouts Coordinator for two years in the coastal region of Kenya. Ole Tira represents the Mara Guides Association as a committed conservationist and advocate for economic justice to the Maasai community.