The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Nominating Committee, chaired by Kent Allaway, 2013 past Chair of the Board, met on August 21 in Chicago, IL, and reviewed, in detail, a number of stellar nominee applications for the 2015 open board officers and directions positions. After careful due diligence and deliberation, the committee offers the following slate of candidates for leadership positions on the 2015 PCMA Board of Directors.
According to the PCMA Bylaws, this official announcement of the proposed slate is to be sent to the membership by Oct. 1. The nominating process, according to the Bylaws, allows for additional nominations for any officer or director position by members who submit a petition. The petition is required to be signed by five per cent of the members from the respective membership category appropriate to that position, and submitted to the President and CEO no later than the close of business Nov. 1, 2014.
Unless there are additional petition nominations from the membership, the following officers and directors will be deemed elected and will take office immediately following the 59th PCMA annual meeting, Convening Leaders, in Chicago, IL, on January 15, 2015.
2015 PCMA proposed slate of new officers and directors
Chair-Elect:
William F. Reed, FASAE, CMP, Senior Director, Meetings, American Society of Hematology (Term: 2015)
Secretary-Treasurer:
Mary Pat Heftman, Executive Vice President, Convention, National Restaurant Association (Term: 2015)
Professional Directors:
Phelps Hope, CMP, Senior Vice President, Meetings & Expositions, Kellen Meetings (Term: 2015 – 2017)
Kirsten Olean, CMP, CAE, Director of Meetings, Association of American Medical Colleges (Term: 2015 – 2017)
Stuart Ruff, CMP, Director, Meetings, Exhibitions & Events, The Risk Management Society (Term: 2015 – 2017)
Supplier Partner Directors:
William Grusich, CMP, FASAE, Senior Vice President, Associated Luxury Hotels International (Term: 2015 – 2017)
Charles Starks, President and CEO, Music City Center (Term: 2015 – 2017)
The following individuals will continue to serve on the Board, but in new positions:
Chair of the Board:
Raymond J. Kopcinski, Sr., CMP, Senior Director, Million Dollar Round Table (Term: 2015)
Immediate Past Chair of the Board:
Christopher J. Wehking, CMP, Chief Program Officer, American Society of Anesthesiology (Term: 2015)
The following individuals will continue to serve in their existing Board positions:
Professional Directors:
Martin D. Balogh, Director of Meetings and Travel, American Bar Association (Term: 2013 – 2015)
Oscar Cerezales, Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific & Americas, Group Director Association Relations, MCI Group (Term: 2014 – 2016)
Nancy DeBrosse, CMP, Senior Vice President, Sales and Account Management, Experient, Inc. (Term: 2014 – 2016)
Kristin Gibson, CMP, CHSP, Vice President of Sales & Industry Relations, J. Spargo & Associates, Inc. (Term: 2013 – 2015)
Ann Godi, CMP, President & CEO, Benchmarc360, Inc. (Term: 2014 – 2016)
Kristin K. Mirabal, CMP, Director, Global Events, Association of Corporate Travel Executives (Term: 2014 – 2016)
Supplier Partner Directors:
George Aguel, President & CEO, Visit Orlando (Term: 2014 – 2016)
Lawrence Luteran, Senior Vice President, Group Sales and Industry Relations, Hilton Worldwide (Term: 2013 – 2015)
David J. Olender, Founder, DMO, Associates and Partner, BOB.tv (Term: 2014 – 2016)
Claire Smith, CMP, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Vancouver Convention Centre (Term: 2013 – 2015)
