Leadership/Governance

Cleo Battle, CDME *2010-13*	Cleo Battle is Vice President of Sales and Services for the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau. Battle has worked in the hospitality industry for 23 years. He began his position as Vice President at the Bureau in 2000. Previously he served as the Bureau�s Director of Sales and Sales Manager. Before joining the Richmond Metro CVB, he spent 10 years in the hotel industry as General Manager, Assistant General Manager and Director of Sales in Syracuse, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Denver. Battle, a native of Denver, Colorado attended Metropolitan State College earning a B.A. degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management in 1988. He later earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from Averett College in Virginia in 1997. Battle currently serves as President of the Virginia State University Hospitality Advisory Board, American Society of Association Executives Industry Partner Alliance Committee, International Association of Exhibitions & Events Diversity Task Force, Destination Marketing Association International Sales & Marketing Committee and a member of the Manchester YMCA Board.
Cole Carley, CDME *2010-13*	Cole Carley is the President/CEO of the Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau, a multiple-jurisdiction destination made up of Fargo ND and Moorhead MN. He has 20 years of tourism experience and has earned his Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) credential. In addition, he has served on the DMAI Board of Directors, and chaired two committees for DMAI: Destinations Showcase and Education. He is a regular presenter at DMAI education functions on Destination Produce Development and authored one of the chapters in the DMAI-produced textbook Fundamentals of Destination Management and Marketing. He also currently serves on the National Council for Destination Organizations (NCDO) for the US Tourism Association. Prior to tourism he worked in sales and sales management in the television advertising industry. He is a co-founder and director of both the North Dakota Tourism Partnership Alliance and the Upper Midwest CVB Conference. Carley holds a B.A. degree in English from St. John�s University in Collegeville MN. He has received several industry awards including �Friend of Tourism� by the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council, and the �Travel & Tourism Industry Leader� award by North Dakota Tourism Promotion.
Donna Carpenter, CDME *2010-13*	Donna Carpenter joined Cabarrus Convention and Visitors Bureau as president and chief executive officer in 2009, bringing more than 11 years of experience in destination management, sales and marketing. Most recently, Carpenter was an integral part of Visit Charlotte as the director of tourism and partnership development � a position she held for five years. She has previously held the positions of executive director at the Stanly County Convention and Visitors Bureau and director of sports and public relations at the York County Convention and Visitors Bureau. She also served as executive director of the Fort Mill Chamber of Commerce for three years. Certified as a Tourism Marketing Professional (TMP), Carpenter is an active member of Southeast Tourism Society and National Tourism Association. She is also working on her Certified Destination Marketing Executive (CDME) Certification. Carpenter currently sits on the board of the 600 Festival and Cabarrus Economic Development Council. She also serves on the MAC Committee for the American Bus Association.
Robin Carson *2009-12*	Robin Carson is Executive Vice President & Managing Director at Busch Entertainment/Kingsmill Resort.
Bruce Charendoff *2009-12*	Bruce Charendoff is Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at Sabre Holdings.
Lisa Gregg *2009-12*	Lisa Gregg is Vice President of Marketing, Intl Consumer Products at American Express.
Kevin Kane *2010-13*	Kevin Kane joined the Memphis CVB in 1991 as president and CEO after directing worldwide sales for Holiday Inns, Inc., then based in Memphis. Under his direction, the CVB expanded to include 3 new visitor centers as well as new sales offices in DC, Chicago, London, and Germany. Mr. Kane directed the first hard sell of Memphis music to attract visitors. The city�s music brand and iconic logo �Memphis � Home of the Blues, Birthplace of Rock �n� Roll,� was created and then reinforced with 2 different year-long campaigns: the �50 Years of Rock �N� Roll� in 2004, and the �50 Years of Soul� in 2007. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Kane received a bachelor�s degree in business administration from the University of Memphis. He is a board member of the Travel Industry Association of America, Southeast Tourism Society, the Blues Foundation, Riverfront Development Corporation, Liberty Bowl Festival Association, NARAS, the Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Mid South Fair, Memphis Zoological Society, Rock �N� Soul Museum, and Beale Street Caravan. A former chairman of the Tennessee Association of CVBs and member of ASAE, he has been named Outstanding Young Tennessean (1993), Memphis Downtowner of the Decade (2001) and Communicator of the Year (2007) by the Memphis Public Relations Society of America. An avid sports enthusiast, tennis player, and golfer, Kane is the proud father of three.
Connie Kinnard *2010-13*	Connie Kinnard is the Senior Vice President of Multicultural Sales & Development for the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau. Connie's career started in hotel & restaurant management and transitioned 14 years ago to a career with the Nashville CVB where she heads the organizations increased efforts in marketing and securing large multicultural conventions. Her responsibilities also include creating multicultural marketing programs involving special events, community development, product development, membership and general diversity marketing for the city. Specifically regarding product development, she is involved with the forthcoming Museum of African American Music, Art & Culture and served administratively as the foundation�s chief operating officer respectively from 2003-2008. Current Board and Advisory Council designations & Achievements - National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, Nashville City Club, African American History Foundation of Nashville Inc., R.H. Boyd Leadership Society(United Way). Connie is a graduate of Tennessee State University in Business Administration and 2007 graduate of the University Phoenix with a Masters in Management degree. In addition she has taken courses at the Owens School of Business at Vanderbilt University. Kinnard has been featured in Culture Magazine and also recognized in Black Meetings & Tourism in their story on �The Next Black CVB CEO/President�. In 2008 Nashville Emerging Leader Award (NELA) in hospitality category which is sponsored annually by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the 20/20 Leadership Alliance. She has completed various leadership development programs to include Nashville Emerging Leaders and Leadership Middle Tennessee. Kinnard�s additional professional affiliations include International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals, Religious Conference Management Association, Association of African American Museums and National Sales Network.
Rosemary McCormick *2009-12*	Rosemary McCormick serves as President of the SHOP AMERICA ALLIANCE, the travel trade association representing more than 200 of the premier shopping tourism destinations that she co-founded in 1998. She produces the annual Shop-Dine-Cultural Travel Conference, publishes SHOP AMERICA magazine and oversees development and marketing of Shop America Tours. She co-produced the landmark US Cultural & Heritage Tourism Summit in Washington DC, co-founded the US Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council and co-publishes The Cultural Traveler guide. Since 1993, McCormick has directed McCORMICK MARKETING, a strategic consulting firm specializing in retail development, sponsorship and tourism marketing. Clients have included leading retail developers plus global travel and tourism destinations. McCormick currently serves on the US Travel Association Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Members Connect Committees. She has written a series of Travel & Tourism White Papers and is a frequent speaker on trends in marketing and travel business. She is a graduate of Mundelein Collage/Loyola in Chicago.
Patrick Moscaritolo *2008-11*	Since 1991, Mr. Moscaritolo has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB). As CEO and President of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, he directs a staff of 50 people with a budget over $12 million. Mr. Moscaritolo has been the recipient of distinguished leadership awards from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, the Massachusetts Tourism Coalition and the Massachusetts Lodging Association. He has received Yankee Magazine�s Massachusetts Travel Industry Person of the Year and the Spinazzola Foundation�s Spirit of Leadership award for his efforts to promote Boston�s restaurant industry and for his charitable contributions to the Boston community. Mr. Moscaritolo serves as a Board member of the Massachusetts Sports & Entertainment Commission, the Back Bay Association, and the Travel Industry Association of America. He is an honors graduate of Boston Latin School, a magna cum laude graduate of Boston College and has a Masters Degree from the London School of Economics.
Tim Roby *2010-13*	Tim Roby, veteran sales, marketing and tourism executive, is President and CEO of the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau (CCTB). He is responsible for selling Chicago, its rich tourism assets and its industry-leading meeting and tradeshow facilities to travelers around the globe. Roby sets the Bureau�s overall strategic vision, while overseeing the sales, marketing and membership initiatives to promote Chicago as a premier visitor destination. Prior to joining the CCTB, Roby was Senior Vice President with Kerzner International Resorts Inc. and was responsible for the sales and marketing initiatives of its flagship property, Atlantis, Paradise Island, as well as Kerzner�s wholesale company, Paradise Island Vacations, the Marina at Atlantis; vacation ownership resort, Harborside at Atlantis, and the award-winning One&Only Ocean Club, Kerzner�s One&Only luxury resort in The Bahamas. Roby�s hotel experience includes executive positions with MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and various Hyatt Hotels & Resorts properties. He currently serves as a board member for the U.S. Travel Association and the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitor Bureaus.
Gary C. Sain, CTC, CHME *2008-11*	Gary C. Sain is president and CEO of the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc., the only officially recognized sales and marketing organization dedicated to promoting the Orlando area as one of the world's great vacation and convention/meeting destinations. Prior to joining the Orlando CVB in February 2007, Sain was executive vice president, chief marketing officer, and partner of Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell, an Orlando-based international advertising and public relations agency specializing in travel, leisure and lifestyle categories. Sain is no stranger to all aspects of travel and tourism marketing � having served as a senior executive in the hotel, cruise line, and convention services industries. Sain received a bachelor�s degree from Davis and Elkins College with a major in business administration and a minor in marketing. He resides in Maitland, Fla. with his wife, Pamela, and has two daughters, Vanessa and Olivia.
Rchard W. Scharf Jr. *2008-11*	Richard W. Scharf Jr. was named president & CEO of the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau in March 2004. Scharf has worked for the DMCVB since 1993, most recently as the executive vice president of sales and marketing. From 1988-1993, he owned a publishing and consulting company representing more than 400 colleges and universities as conference sites. His career in the hospitality industry began with Hilton in 1983. Scharf was one of the chief consultants for studies conducted about the expansion of the Colorado Convention Center and the construction of Denver�s new 1,100-room Hyatt Regency Convention Center Hotel. In 2005, Scharf led a successful campaign to increase the lodging tax in Denver in order to competitively market Denver as a convention and leisure destination. Voters approved the measure by a margin of two to one, resulting in a marketing budget increase of nearly 50 percent. In 1999, Scharf was the second person to be awarded the Colorado Hotel Sales & Marketing Association�s Hall of Fame Award, in 2002 he won the Governor�s Tourism Award and in 2007 he was named Business Person of the Year by the Rocky Mountain News. In 2008, he was awarded the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado�s 2007 Leadership Award. Scharf is an active member of several national and local industry organizations and boards of directors. Scharf is a graduate of Purdue University.
Bernie Schraer *2010-13*	Bernie Schraer is the Vice President/Group Publisher of Northstar Travel Media�s Meetings Group. Brands include Meetings & Conventions, Successful Meetings, Meetings News and Incentive. Northstar Meetings Group has a portfolio of media products including magazines, websites, email products, lead generation tools and face-to-face hosted buyer events reaching over 200,000 meeting professionals. Bernie has been with Northstar Travel Media since 1990. He has over 30 total years of sales, marketing and management experience in magazines, newspapers and digital media - the last 20 years of which were spent publishing in the travel industry. Prior to joining the Meetings Group in 1997, he spent over 7 years with Northstar�s Travel Weekly. There, he held various positions including Advertising Director, National Account Manager and Regional Sales Manager. Prior to joining Northstar, Bernie held several sales and management positions with the Bergen Record newspaper in Hackensack, NJ and the Ocean County Reporter newspaper in Toms River, New Jersey. Bernie holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Georgian Court University.
Will Seccombe *2009-12*	J. William Seccombe serves as Chief Marketing Officer for VISIT FLORIDA, the state�s official tourism industry marketing corporation. Will is responsible for the VISIT FLORIDA brand and guiding all domestic and international sales, advertising, promotions, publications, public relations programs. Will is also responsible for the www.VISITFLORIDA.com website and all interactive marketing programs as well as all VISIT FLORIDA research and new product development. Prior to joining VISIT FLORIDA, Will dedicated 19 years in the Colorado tourism industry. He began his career in the ski industry as a Regional Sales Manager for Vail Resorts and later as the Director of Marketing for Loveland Ski Area. Will then spent five years as the Vice President of Marketing for the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau and another five years with PRACO advertising and public relations where he led the agencies efforts on behalf of the Colorado Tourism Office and many other travel and hospitality clients as Vice President of Account Service, Vice President of Advertising and Chief Operating Officer. In 2004, Will founded Revolution Communications an integrated marketing company focused on developing innovative marketing solutions for clients in the travel and hospitality industry. In 2005, Revolution Communications launched www.SoGoNow.com, an award winning online travel magazine designed to inspire vacations. Will is a member of the Association of Travel Marketing Executives, The CMO Council and the National Western Association. When not traveling, Will can usually be found chasing after his four kids.
Paul Serff Executive Committee At Large Member *2009-12*	Paul Serff serves as President Emeritus of the Texas Travel Industry Association and the Texas Tourism Foundation. TTIA represents a wide range of attractions, sports franchises, historical/cultural sites, convention and visitors bureaus, hotels, zoos, and many other organizations throughout Texas. Prior TTIA, Paul spent nearly 30 years managing sports and entertainment facilities in Hershey, Pennsylvania and San Antonio, Texas (most recently, Fiesta Texas). He has gained a national reputation, not only in attractions and facilities management, but in travel and tourism as well. Paul served as President of IAAPA and continues to serve on its advisory board. He currently serves on the UTSA Development Board, is a member of the board of the U.S. Travel Association, and serves as chair of the U.S. Travel Association�s Foundation. He is also a member of the Texas State Parks� Advisory Committee and Texas Homeland Security�s Critical Infrastructure and Key Resource Council. Paul has been in volunteer leadership positions on three chamber boards and a tri-county economic development corporation. In San Antonio, he served on the USO, Greater Chamber, Children�s Miracle Network Boards, and the District Boy Scouts� Executive Council. Paul and his wife Kathy live in Austin.
Gary Sherwin, CDME *2008-11*	Gary Sherwin is President and CEO of the Newport Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau and is a 24 year veteran of the destination marketing industry. Prior to joining Newport Beach in 2006, he served for seven years as the Vice President, Market Development for the Palm Springs Desert Resorts Convention and Visitors Authority, where he co-authored the book published by DMAI, Destination BrandScience � , which is now the standard for destination brand development across the globe. He also previously served as the Vice President of Marketing for the Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Director of Media Relations for the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau. He is a Communications and Political Science graduate of California State University Fullerton, where he was named to the school�s Wall of Fame in 2000 and is an adjunct member of the faculty. Gary is also an instructor and co-creator of the DMAI CDME Brand and Positioning course. Currently he is the Vice President of the Orange County Tourism Council and is Second Vice Chairman of the California Travel Industry Association Board of Directors.
Robin Tauck *2009-12*	Robin Tauck, a veteran of the global travel industry and the new principal and founder of Robin Tauck & Partners LLC is dedicated to new public-private partnerships to raise awareness, advocacy, financial and other resources to support global sustainable travel initiatives. Former President/CEO of Tauck Inc. from 1997-2007, a luxury global tour operator she led strategic planning and growth initiatives in travel programs from North America to over 70 international countries and destinations. She expanded the �Tauck at Sea� fleet of 18 small-ship and expeditions, further developed �European river cruising� with newly-built exclusive Tauck riverboats, expanded �Tauck Bridges� family travels, and launched �Tauck Events." A founder of �World of Giving� in 1998, Ms. Tauck has helped integrate the values and visions of giving back into corporate and industry strategy has led large-scale volunteer events and was recognized by the White House in 2006. She is active in her two family foundations, the Tauck Foundation, and Tauck Romano Innovative Philanthropy. Robin serves on many boards including the World Tourism and Travel Council, United States Travel Association Foundation, Old North Foundation, Sustainable Travel International, Westport Family Y and more. Robin is an industry advocate for WTTC, USTOA, ETOA, ASTA, TIA, Tourism Cares, and UN Foundation. She has been named one of the �Most Powerful Women in Travel� by the industry media. Ms. Tauck graduated from the University of Vermont and Stanford University�s Executive Program, and the 2009 University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership.
Hank Todd *2010-13*	A recognized leader in the travel industry, Hank Todd has led destinations around the world in solving organizational and marketing challenges, including Kenya, Taiwan, Peru, Canada, Argentina and Sweden. Nationally he has advised state tourism offices and city convention and visitors bureaus. Using innovative and unique approaches, he works with organizations devising win-win solutions involving stakeholders, governmental bodies and partners. He has helped develop strategic plans for the State of Washington, State of Minnesota and the US Travel Association, and worked on product development assessments for Stockholm, Kenya and Peru. He has done numerous facilitations for destinations and organizations from Brookings, South Dakota to the States of Missouri and Wyoming to the Arizona Tourism Alliance and Arizona Hotel and Lodging Association. As Director of Tourism for Minnesota from 1978 until 1995 (appointed by four different Governors from both political parties), he developed a Tourism Master Plan for the State. His work on numerous development and economic research projects during his tenure including the Mall of America and major events like the Super Bowl; he�s been recognized as State Travel Director of Year, received two national marketing awards and was the Outstanding Individual in Tourism in Minnesota in 2006. Prior to starting Hank Todd Solutions Group, he was an executive at Carlson Companies from 1995 to 2008. He was VP of Marketing for Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates, VP of Business Development Government and Tourism for Carlson Companies, VP Asia Strategy for Carlson Leisure Group and headed up Carlson Destination Marketing Services. He has served on numerous Boards and Committees, including USTRAVEL, National Tourism Association Strategic Development Council, Bloomington MN Convention and Visitors Bureau, Explore Minnesota Tourism Council, Canadian Tourism Commission�s US Leisure Advisory Board, the Advisory Committee for the University of Minnesota Tourism Center and the Minnesota State University/Mankato College of Business Advisory Committee.
Peter Yesawich *2009-12*	Peter C. Yesawich is chairman and chief executive officer of Ypartnership, America�s leading marketing, advertising and public relations agency serving travel, leisure and lifestyle clients. Yesawich is a frequent commentator on travel trends in such publications as The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Time, Newsweek and Business Week, on the CNN, CNBC and MSNBC cable television networks and on National Public Radio. He serves as a featured columnist in several industry trade publications and has authored numerous articles on marketing and advertising strategy in professional journals. He is also a coauthor of Marketing Leadership in Hospitality published by Prentice Hall. Listed in Who�s Who in America, Yesawich is the recipient of the World Travel Award from the American Association of Travel Editors, The Albert E. Koehl Award from HSMAI and the Silver Medal from the American Advertising Federation. He was also named one of the 25 Most Extraordinary Marketing Minds by HSMAI and is a member of the board of directors of the Travel Industry Association of America. Yesawich received three degrees from Cornell, including a doctorate in applied psychology, and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Yale.
Roger Dow *Ex-Officio*	Roger Dow is President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Travel Association, the national umbrella organization representing all segments of the $740 billion U.S. travel and tourism industry. Prior to joining U.S. Travel, Roger rose through the ranks at Marriott International in a career that began as a summer lifeguard at the sixth Marriott hotel and spanned 34 years. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President, Global and Field Sales, leading Marriott's 10,000-person worldwide sales organization. Roger most recently was recognized by his peers as the 2008 Association Executive of the Year, according to Association Trends.
Jim Duda Foundation Executive Director	Jim Duda has over 16 years of experience in events, entertainment and multimedia. Before joining DMAI in 2006 as the Foundation Executive Director and Managing Director of Destinations Showcase, Jim worked for TBA Global Events (formerly PGI, Inc.) as Senior Vice President of Exhibitions, helping numerous associations and corporations build better events through solid planning, marketing and execution. Prior to his experience in the meetings industry, Duda served as COO and co-founder of Reallinx, Inc., a broadband service provider located in Dallas, Texas. He also worked as an account manager for the Synapse Group in Dallas, an Internet marketing company known for its work building the online presence of Hilton Hotels and several other multinational companies. He earned an MBA from Duke�s Fuqua School of Business in 1997 and prior to that, spent five years as a talent agent for International Creative Management in Los Angeles.
Michael D. Gehrisch *Ex-Officio* *President & CEO, DMAI*	During his ten years as President & CEO of Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), Michael D. Gehrisch has reenergized and positioned DMAI as one of the world�s leading hospitality associations. With Michael at the helm, the association repositioned itself in 2005 as Destination Marketing Association International (previously the International Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus), to enhance the relevancy and visibility of its members to individuals outside the industry. Michael led the industry�s historic Destination Marketing Accreditation Program initiative, which established a consistent standard for destination marketing operations, and which has accredited over 100 DMOs around the globe. Michael also guided the Destination & Travel Foundation (the consolidated entity of the DMAI and U.S. Travel Foundations) through two major fundraising efforts, 2001�s Destination Ahead campaign, and the 2009 Destination Excellence campaign, raising over US$6 million for vital destination marketing research and resources. His keen understanding of tools needed for DMO success led to the development of the groundbreaking 2008 Futures Study, which revealed key need areas facing the destination marketing industry which the Destination Excellence campaign seeks to answer through innovative tools and resources. Additionally, Mr. Gehrisch currently serves on boards for the Convention Industry Council, the U.S. Travel Association, and Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100, with previous service on the American Society of Association Executives Board of Directors. The proud recipient of the NYSAE Education & Research Foundation�s 2007 Vision Award, Michael has been named one of the �25 Most Influential Travel Executives� by Business Travel News and one of Tradeshow Week�s �100 Most Influential People in the Tradeshow Business� in 2006, and was ranked among the �Top 25 Most Influential People� in the meetings industry by Meetings News magazine in 2004. Michael has more than 29 years experience in the hospitality industry, including working for 13 years as Executive Vice President for the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) in Washington, DC. Earlier in his career, Gehrisch held management positions with Marriott and Hilton hotels.