Leadership

The PCMA Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees is responsible for fundraising, guardianship of the Corpus and funds raised, and support of PCMA and the industry. Committees and task forces are assigned by the Foundation to assist in achieving its mission.

Executive Team

Sherrif Karamat, CAE

President & CEO
PCMA

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Meredith Rollins

Chief Community Officer, PCMA
Executive Director, PCMA Foundation

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Bruce MacMillan

Chief Operating Officer

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Board of Directors & Trustees

Contact us at [email protected]

Desirée Knight, CAE, CMP, DES - Chair -

Senior Director, Meetings & Events
American Psychological Association

Leonard Hoops - Chair-Elect -

President & CEO
Visit Indy

Neil Brownlee - Secretary-Treasurer -

Director of Business Events
VisitScotland

Charles Starks - Immediate Past Chair -

President & CEO
Music City Center

Colleen Bisconti - Director/Trustee -

Vice President, Events & Experiences
IBM

Gregg Caren - Director/Trustee -

President & CEO
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau

Dr. Amanda Cecil, PhD, CMP - Director/Trustee -

Professor
Indiana University

Fernando Fondevila, MBA - Director/Trustee -

CEO
PROMTUR Panama

Veemal Gungadin - Director/Trustee -

Founder & CEO
GEVME

Shameka Jennings, MTA, CAE, CMP, DES - Director/Trustee -

Principal & Chief Events Officer
EventsNoire

Brian Landers, CDS - Director/Trustee -

Senior Vice President / Team Director
ConferenceDirect

Gladys O’Mahony - Director/Trustee -

Vice President, Global Sales Organization - CALA
Marriott International

Peter O’Neil, FASAE, CAE - Director/Trustee -

Chief Executive Officer
ASIS International

Lauren Parr - Director/Trustee -

Senior Vice President, Meetings & Learning
American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Annalisa Ponchia, CMP, CMM - Director/Trustee -

Director of Innovation and Customer Experience
AIM Group International

Stephen Rose - Director/Trustee -

Head of Global Communication Services
Siemens AG

Chantal Sturk-Nadeau - Director/Trustee -

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Destination Canada

Panos Tzivanidis - Director/Trustee -

Corporate Events & Services Director
International Olympic Committee

Kathleen Warden - Director/Trustee -

Director of Conference Sales
Scottish Event Campus (SEC)

Past Board of Trustees

Chair
David G. Peckinpaugh, CMP, CIS
President
Maritz Travel Company

Chair-Elect
Carol McGury, MPS
Executive Vice President, Events and Education Services
SmithBucklin Corporation

Secretary-Treasurer
Valerie M. Sumner
Principal
VRS Meetings and Events, Inc.

Immediate Past Chair
Phillip J. Jones
President and CEO
VisitDallas

Trustee
Douglas Bennett
SVP of Convention Development
Louisville Tourism

Trustee
Amy Calvert
SVP Convention Sales & Services
Visit Baltimore

Trustee
Oscar Cerezales
COO Asia Pacific
MCI Singapore

Trustee
Jerry Cito
Senior Vice President, Convention Development
NYC & Company

Trustee
Susan S. Euritt
Principle
Ruckus Strategic Partnership Consulting, LLC

Trustee
Derrick Johnson, CMP
Director of Meetings
The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers

Trustee
Roberta Kravitz
Executive Director
International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

Trustee
Tony Lorenz, CMM
Chief Executive Officer
Allied PRA

Trustee
Kristin Mirabal, CMP
Vice President, Meetings
Heart Rhythm Society

Trustee
Gregory A O’Dell
President
Events DC

Trustee
Angie Ranalli, CMP
Vice President of Sales – Midwest Region
San Diego Tourism Authority

Trustee
William F. Reed, FASAE, CMP
Chief Event Strategy Officer
American Society of Hematology

Trustee
Tammy Routh
Senior Vice President, Global Sales
Marriott International

Trustee
Claire Smith, CMP
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Vancouver Convention Centre

Trustee
Charles Starks
President and CEO
Music City Center

Trustee
Heidi Welker
Vice President, Marketing
Freeman Audio Visual Canada

President and CEO
Sherrif Karamat 
PCMA Foundation

Chair
Phillip Jones
President and CEO
VisitDallas

Chair-Elect
David G. Peckinpaugh, CMP, CIS
President
Maritz Travel Company

Secretary-Treasurer
Carol McGury, MPS
Executive Vice President, Events and Education Services
SmithBucklin Corporation

Immediate Past Chair
Tina Wehmeir, CMP, CAE
Chief Executive Officer
AMC Institute (AMCI)

Trustee
Amy Calvert
SVP Convention Sales & Services
Visit Baltimore

Trustee
Oscar Cerezales
COO Asia Pacific
MCI Singapore

Trustee
Jerry Cito
Senior Vice President, Convention Development
NYC & Company

Trustee
Susan S. Euritt
Principle
Ruckus Strategic Partnership Consulting, LLC

Trustee
Mary Pat Heftman
Executive Vice President, Convention & Strategic Alliances
National Restaurant Association

Trustee
Derrick Johnson, CMP
Director of Meetings
The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers

Trustee
Roberta Kravitz
Executive Director
International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine

Trustee
Tony Lorenz, CMM
Chief Executive Officer
Allied PRA

Trustee
Kristin Mirabal, CMP
Vice President, Meetings
Heart Rhythm Society

Trustee
John Patronski
Executive Vice President – Industry Development
Global Experience Specialists (GES)

Trustee
Angie Ranalli, CMP
Vice President of Sales – Midwest Region
San Diego Tourism Authority

Trustee
Tammy Routh
Senior Vice President, Global Sales
Marriott International

Trustee
Claire Smith, CMP
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Vancouver Convention Centre

Trustee
Valerie M. Sumner
Principal
VRS Meetings and Events, Inc.

Trustee
Christopher J. Wehking  CMP
Chief Program Officer
American Society of Anesthesiologists

Trustee
Heidi Welker
Vice President, Marketing
Freeman Audio Visual Canada

President and CEO
Deborah L. Sexton 
PCMA Foundation

Chair
Tina M. Wehmeir  CMP, CAE
Chief Executive Officer
AMC Institute (AMCI)

Chair-Elect
Phillip J. Jones
President & CEO
Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau

Secretary-Treasurer
David G. Peckinpaugh, CMP
President
Maritz Travel Company

Immediate Past Chair
Gary Schirmacher, CMP
Senior Vice President, Industry Presence & Strategic Development
Experient, A Maritz Global Events Company

Trustee
Cara Nicole Banasch, MBA
VP Convention Sales & Strategy
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau

Trustee
Amy Calvert
SVP Convention Sales & Services
Visit Baltimore

Trustee
Eduardo Chaillo, CMP, CMM
Owner
Global Meetings and Tourism Specialists, LLC

Trustee
Susan S. Euritt
Vice President Direct Sales and Business Development
Garrett Brands

Trustee
Mary Pat Heftman
Executive Vice President, Convention & Strategic Alliances
National Restaurant Association

Trustee
Tony Lorenz, CMM
Chief Executive Officer
Allied PRA

Trustee
Carol McGury, MPS
Executive Vice President, Events and Education Services
SmithBucklin Corporation

Trustee
Gregory O’Dell
President & Chief Executive Officer
Events DC

Trustee
John Patronski
Executive Vice President – Industry Development
Global Experience Specialists (GES)

Trustee
Angie Ranalli, CMP
Vice President of Sales – Midwest Region
San Diego Tourism Authority

Trustee
William Reed, FASAE, CMP
Senior Director of Meetings and Community Engagement
American Society of Hematology

Trustee
Tammy Routh
Senior Vice President, Global Sales
Marriott International

Trustee
Valerie M. Sumner
Principal
VRS Meetings and Events, Inc.

Trustee
Randall Tanaka 
President/CEO
World Conservation Congress National Host Committee

Trustee
Christopher J. Wehking  CMP
Chief Program Officer
American Society of Anesthesiologists

Trustee
Heidi Welker
Vice President, Marketing
Freeman Audio Visual Canada

President and CEO
Deborah L. Sexton 
PCMA Foundation

Chair
Gary Schirmacher, CMP
Senior Vice President, Association Sales and Marketing
Experient: A Maritz Travel Company

Chair-Elect
Tina M. Wehmeir, CMP
Chief Executive Officer
Association Management Company Institute (AMCI)

Secretary-Treasurer
David L. Williams, CMP
Executive Director
International Association for Energy Economics

Immediate Past Chair
Susan Iris
Partner
Navigate

Trustee
Cara Nicole Banasch, MBA
VP Convention Sales & Strategy
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau

Trustee
Eduardo Chaillo, CMP, CMM
Owner
Global Meetings and Tourism Specialists, LLC

Trustee
Anne Hamilton, MBA
Vice President
Resort Sales, Catering and Convention Services
Disney Destinations

Trustee
Phillip J. Jones 
President and CEO
Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau

Trustee
Raymond J. Kopcinski, Sr., CMP
Senior Director
Million Dollar Round Table

Trustee
Carol McGury, MPS
Executive Vice President, Events and Education Services
SmithBucklin Corporation

Trustee
Gregory O’Dell
President & Chief Executive Officer
Events DC

Trustee
John Patronski
Executive Vice President – Industry Development
Global Experience Specialists (GES)

Trustee
David G. Peckinpaugh, CMP
President
Maritz Travel Company

Trustee
Angie Ranalli, CMP
Vice President of Sales – Midwest Region
San Diego Tourism Authority

Trustee
William Reed, FASAE, CMP
Senior Director of Meetings and Community Engagement
American Society of Hematology

Trustee
James E. Rooney
Executive Director
Massachusetts Convention Center Authority

Trustee
Valerie M. Sumner
Principal
VRS Meetings and Events, Inc.

Trustee
Randall Tanaka 
Owner
THE FIRST STEP

Trustee
Mark Theis
Director, Group Sales – North America
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

Trustee
Greg Van Dyke
Senior Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing
PSAV Presentation Services

President and CEO
Deborah L. Sexton 
PCMA Foundation

Chair
Susan Iris 
Partner
Navigate

Chair-Elect
James H. Youngblood
Chief Executive Officer
Heart Rhythm Society

Secretary-Treasurer
Gary Schirmacher, CMP
Senior Vice President, Association Sales and Marketing
Experient: A Maritz Travel Company

Immediate Past Chair
Gregg H. Talley, FASAE, CAE  
President and CEO
Talley Management Group, Inc.

Trustee
Eduardo Chaillo, CMP, CMM
Owner
Global Meetings and Tourism Specialists, LLC

Trustee
Anne Hamilton, MBA
Vice President
Resort Sales, Catering and Convention Services
Disney Destinations

Trustee
Phillip J. Jones
President and CEO
Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau

Trustee
Raymond J. Kopcinski, Sr., CMP
Senior Director
Million Dollar Round Table

Trustee
John Patronski
Executive Vice President – Industry Development
Global Experience Specialists (GES)

Trustee
David G. Peckinpaugh, CMP
President
Maritz Travel Company

Trustee
Kati S. Quigley, CMP 
Sr. Director, WW Partner Group, Community Microsoft Partner Network
Microsoft Corporation

Trustee
James E. Rooney
Executive Director
Massachusetts Convention Center Authority

Trustee
Valerie M. Sumner
Principal
VRS Meetings and Events, Inc.

Trustee
Randall Tanaka 
Owner
THE FIRST STEP

Trustee
Mark Theis
Director, Group Sales – North America
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

Trustee
Greg Van Dyke
Senior Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing
PSAV Presentation Services

Trustee
Christopher J. Wehking, CMP
Chief Program Officer
American Society of Anesthesiologists

Trustee
Tina M. Wehmeir, CMP
Chief Executive Officer
Association Management Company Institute (AMCI)

Trustee
Don Welsh
President & CEO
Choose Chicago

Trustee
David L. Williams, CMP
Executive Director
International Association for Energy Economics

President and CEO
Deborah L. Sexton 
PCMA Foundation

Chair
Gregg H. Talley, FASAE, CAE
President and CEO
Talley Management Group, Inc.

Chair-Elect
Susan Iris
Partner
Publicitas Navigate

Secretary-Treasurer
James H. Youngblood
Chief Executive Officer
Heart Rhythm Society

Immediate Past Chair
Liz Erikson
Executive Director, Meetings & Incentives North America
Fairmont-Raffles-Swissôtel

Trustee
Eduardo Chaillo, CMP, CMM
Consultant & Advisor

Trustee
Anne Hamilton
Vice President Resort Sales, Catering and Convention Services
Disney Destinations

Trustee
Phillip J. Jones
President and CEO
Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau

Trustee
John Patronski
Executive Vice President – Industry Development
Global Experience Specialists (GES)

Trustee
David G. Peckinpaugh, CMP
President
Maritz Travel Company

Trustee
Kati S. Quigley, CMP
Sr. Director, WW Partner Group, Community Microsoft Partner Network
Microsoft Corporation

Trustee
Gary Schirmacher, CMP
Senior Vice President, Strategic Account Services
Experient: A Maritz Travel Company

Trustee
Valerie M. Sumner
Principal
VRS Meetings and Events, Inc.

Trustee
Randall Tanaka
Assistant General Manager
Hawaii Convention Center

Trustee
Mark Theis
Director, Group Sales – North America
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

Trustee
Greg Van Dyke
Senior Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing
PSAV Presentation Services

Trustee
Christopher J. Wehking, CMP
Director of Meetings & Exhibits
American Society of Anesthesiologists

Trustee
Tina M. Wehmeir, CMP
Chief Executive Officer
Association Management Company Institute (AMCI)

Trustee
Don Welsh
President & CEO
Choose Chicago

Trustee
Johnnie C. White, CMP
Executive Director, Meetings and Educational Services
Cardiovascular Research Foundation

Trustee
David L. Williams, CMP
Executive Director
International Association for Energy Economics

President and CEO
Deborah L. Sexton
PCMA Foundation

Executive Director
Brad Lewis
PCMA Foundation

Chair
Liz Erikson
Executive Director, Meetings & Incentives North America
Fairmont-Raffles-Swissôtel

Chair-Elect
Gregg H. Talley, FASAE, CAE
President and CEO
Talley Management Group, Inc.

Secretary-Treasurer
Susan Iris
Partner
Publicitas Navigate

Immediate Past Chair
David J. Olender
COO
bXb Online

Trustee
Kent E. Allaway, CEM, CMP
Vice President, Meetings and Trade Shows
Produce Marketing Association

Trustee
Eduardo Chaillo, CMP, CMM
Executive Director Meeting Industry
Mexico Tourism Board

Trustee
John Folks
President and Principal
Minding Your Business, Inc.

Trustee
Anne Hamilton
Vice President Resort Sales, Catering and Convention Services
Disney Destinations

Trustee
Phillip J. Jones
President and CEO
Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau

Trustee
David G. Peckinpaugh, CMP
President
Maritz Travel Company

Trustee
Kati S. Quigley, CMP
Sr. Director, WW Partner Community Events
Microsoft Corporation

Trustee
Gary Schirmacher, CMP
Senior Vice President, Strategic Account Services
Experient: A Maritz Travel Company

Trustee
Valerie M. Sumner
Principal
VRS Meetings and Events, Inc.

Trustee
Randall Tanaka
Assistant General Manager
Hawaii Convention Center

Trustee
Greg Van Dyke
Senior Vice President, Marketing
PSAV Presentation Services

Trustee
Carol C. Wallace
President & CEO
San Diego Convention Center Corporation

Trustee
Tina M. Wehmeir, CMP
President
Precision Meetings & Events, Inc.

Trustee
Johnnie C. White, CMP
Executive Director, Meetings and Educational Services
Cardiovascular Research Foundation

Trustee
David L. Williams, CMP
Executive Director
International Association for Energy Economics

Trustee
James H. Youngblood
Chief Executive Officer
Heart Rhythm Society

President and CEO
Deborah L. Sexton
PCMA Foundation

Executive Director
Brad Lewis
PCMA Foundation

Chair
David J. Olender
COO
bXb Online

Chair-Elect
Liz Erikson
Executive Director, Association Sales
Fairmont-Raffles-Swissôtel

Secretary-Treasurer
Gregg H. Talley, CAE
President and CEO
Talley Management Group, Inc.

Immediate Past Chair
Barry L. Smith
President & CEO
Metro Toronto Convention Centre

Trustee
Kent E. Allaway, CEM, CMP
Vice President, Meetings and Trade Shows
Produce Marketing Association

Trustee
Martin D. Balogh
Director of Meetings & Travel
American Bar Association

Trustee
Eduardo Chaillo, CMP, CMM
Executive Director Meeting Industry
Mexico Tourism Board

Trustee
John Folks
President and Principal
Minding Your Business, Inc.

Trustee
Anne Hamilton
Vice President
Resort Sales, Catering and Convention Services
Disney Destinations

Trustee
Susan Iris
Partner
Publicitas Navigate

Trustee
Teri Jarvie, CMP
Vice President, Member Programs
Association Forum of Chicagoland

Trustee
Susan Katz
Director of Corporate Events and Travel
True Value Company

Trustee
David G. Peckinpaugh, CMP
President
Maritz Travel Company

Trustee
Jerry Pfeiffer
Regional Vice President of Sales
Global Experience Specialists (GES)

Trustee
Joseph V. Popolo, Jr.
CEO
Freeman

Trustee
Gary Schirmacher, CMP
Senior Vice President, Strategic Account Services
Experient

Trustee
Valerie M. Sumner
Principal
VRS Meetings and Events, Inc.

Trustee
Greg Van Dyke
Senior Vice President, Marketing
PSAV Presentation Services

Trustee
Carol C. Wallace
President & CEO
San Diego Convention Center Corporation

Trustee
James Youngblood
Chief Executive Officer
Heart Rhythm Society

President and CEO
Deborah L. Sexton
PCMA Foundation

Executive Director
Brad Lewis
PCMA Foundation

Chair
Barry L. Smith
President & CEO
Metro Toronto Convention Centre

Chair-Elect
David J. Olender
Vice President, Strategic Alliances
Gaylord Entertainment Company

Secretary-Treasurer
Liz Erikson
Executive Director, Association Sales
Fairmont-Raffles-Swissôtel

Immediate Past Chair
Michael L. Payne
Executive Vice President and Managing Director
SmithBucklin

Trustee
Martin D. Balogh
Director of Meetings & Travel
American Bar Association

Trustee
Lisa Block
Director of Meetings and Conferences
Society for Human Resource Management

Trustee
Eduardo Chaillo, CMP, CMM
Executive Director Meeting Industry
Mexico Tourism Board

Trustee
Digby Davies
Chief Executive Officer
PSAV Presentation Services

Trustee
Dennis Edwards
President & CEO
Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau

Trustee
Susan Iris
Consultant

Trustee
Teri Jarvie, CMP
Director of Meeting Services
Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals

Trustee
Susan Katz
Director of Corporate Events and Travel
True Value Company

Trustee
Jerry Pfeiffer
Regional Vice President of Sales
Global Experience Specialists (GES)

Trustee
Joseph V. Popolo, Jr.
CEO
Freeman

Trustee
Kati S. Quigley, CMP
Director, Event Marketing
Microsoft Corporation

Trustee
David J. Sargent
Vice President, National Sales
Freeman

Trustee
Gary Schirmacher, CMP
Senior Vice President, Sourcing
Experient

Trustee
Robert G. Scypinski
Vice President, Sales and Marketing, The Americas
Hilton Hotels Corporation

Trustee
Gregg H. Talley, CAE
President and CEO
Talley Management Group, Inc.

Trustee
Brad Weaber, CMP
President
Courtesy Associates, Inc.

Trustee
James Youngblood
Chief Executive Officer
Heart Rhythm Society

President and CEO
Deborah L. Sexton
PCMA Foundation

Executive Director
Brad Lewis
PCMA Foundation

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Rebecca SchingelLeadership