Google’s Rob Torres named as Board Chair.
McLEAN, VA.– The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), announced its 2014 Americas Region Executive Committee and Board of Directors. In total, 38 members were elected or appointed to serve HSMAI in the coming year.
This year’s HSMAI Nominating Committee selected the 2014 members from nationally and internationally known entities ranging from convention & visitors bureaus, hotels, hotel management companies, research and / or marketing firms and universities to online travel agencies, search engines and social media platforms. Notably, 22 hotels and hotel management companies are represented on the board.
“HSMAI is excited about the multitude of diverse talent we have among our new Executive Committee and Board of Directors,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “Each member brings a wealth of knowledge to the organization that will undoubtedly advance HSMAI as a leading resource to hospitality professionals and the industry as a whole.”
Rob Torres, managing director of travel at Google, begins a two-year term as HSMAI Americas Chair. “I could not have hoped to work with a more well-rounded and innovative group of people,” said Rob Torres, HSMAI Americas Chair. “I am excited to see how HSMAI will progress throughout the next year and look forward to learning from the team as we move forward.”
The 2014 HSMAI Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Foundation Representative to the Americas Board are as follows:
Executive Committee:
- Chair: Rob Torres, managing director of travel, Google
- Chair Elect: Jeff Senior, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International
- Secretary-Treasurer: Mark Thompson, CHBA, CHSE, vice president of tourism, Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Vice Chair: Marina MacDonald, CHDM, chief marketing officer, Red Roof Inns
- Immediate Past Chair: Barb Bowden, general manager, Orange County Convention Center
Board of Directors:
- Anil Aggarwal: chairman & CEO, Milestone
- Bart Berkey: senior corporate director, Eastern Region, Ritz Carlton Global Sales Office
- George Brennan: executive vice president, sales & marketing, Interstate Hotels
- Maureen Callahan: vice president, marketing communications & PR, Destination Hotels & Resorts
- Geraldine Calpin: senior vice president, Global Online, Hilton Worldwide
- Elizabeth Cambra, CRME: corporate director, pricing & revenue management, Outrigger Enterprises Group
- Joel Carver: CEO, Carver Hotel Group
- Chris Crenshaw, CRME: vice president, strategic development, STR
- Dorothy Dowling: senior vice president, marketing & sales, Best Western International
- Jack Easdale, CRME, CHSE: vice president of yield management, The Venetian / Palazzo
- Tammy Farley: president, Rainmaker
- Mike Fegley: vice president global sales, Americas, IHG
- Agnelo Fernandes: senior vice president, sales & marketing, Terranea Resort
- Loren Gray: director of eCommerce, Ocean Properties
- Dan Greene: director, US sales and operations, Twitter
- Alex Gregory: director of sales, Sea Island Resort
- Jack Horne: senior vice president, sales, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
- Joe Hyman: president & CEO, Vizergy
- Ruth Leis: executive director of sales, MGM Grand
- Kathy Maher: senior vice president revenue management, Wyndham Hotel Group
- Melissa Maher: senior vice president, global strategic accounts & industry relations, Expedia, Inc.
- Stacy Milne: vice president & managing director, global marketing, Marriott International
- Brian Payea: head of industry relations, TripAdvisor
- Lalia Rach: Ed.D., dean and director, University of Wisconsin – Stout, School of Hospitality Leadership
- Andrew Rubinacci: vice president, distribution & intermediary sales, IHG
- Tom Santora: chief marketing officer, Omni Hotels & Resorts
- Jane Stampe: managing director, The Americas, iDeaS – a SAS Company
- Brian Tkac: vice president, marketing & revenue, Hostmark Hotels
- John Washko: vice president of group marketing and sales, Atlantis, Paradise Island
- Betty Wilson: vice president, North America divisional sales, Starwood Hotels & Resorts
- Louis Zameryka: regional manager, Booking.com
HSMAI Foundation Representative to the Americas Board:
- Vail Brown: vice president global business development & marketing, STR.
Photo caption: Rob Torres, managing director of travel at Google.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
