Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/140546
•pg_3-13__BMT_pg3-58 6/22/13 1:34 AM Page 6 NEWSMAKERS ALLAN WAMBAA CHEF, PACIFICWILD CATERING FOR OREGON CONVENTION CENTER, PORTLAND CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & PORTLAND EXPO CENTER Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Chef Allan Wambaa's culinary exposure started in his family's restaurant during his school years. Wambaa later attended culinary college at The Career Training Centre in Nairobi and apprenticed in one of the top five-star restaurants in the city, the Safari Park Hotel, where he was introduced into the world of fine dining. Chef Allan left Nairobi to work as the personal chef to the royal family of Saudi Arabian Prince Fahd bin Khalid Al-Saud. He later traveled to the United States, where he embarked on a series of culinary experiences in Seattle starting with the Palisades Restaurant. Taking his career further, Chef Allan entered into food and beverage management, spending six years as executive chef with The Compass Group. Chef Allan was executive chef at Benaroya Hall where he worked with world-renowned chef Wolfgang Puck, followed by a turn as Executive Chef for Bell Harbor International Conference Center and World Trade Center Seattle. Chef Allan joined ARAMARK at the Tacoma Convention Center in 2005. In the Fall of 2011 Chef Allan joined catering, based at the Oregon Convention Center, and also serving the Portland Center for the Performing and Portland Expo Center, where his passion for fresh flavors, local ingredients and cooking from the source has paired nicely with the veritable bounty of ingredients the Willamette Valley has to offer. New President/CEO Brings Expertise and Knowledge to Bureau VISIT JACKSONVILLE SELECTS EXPERIENCED LEADER Visit Jacksonville announced recently that after a national search it has selected Paul Astleford as its president and chief executive officer. Astleford, arrived in Jacksonville after a successful tour of duty leading Experience Columbus, in Columbus, Ohio, where he served as its president and CEO since 2000. Astleford, with more than 42-years of hospitality industry experience, including destination-marketing experience as president and CEO for the Greater Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau, worked as vice president of Sales and Marketing for Disney Resorts and Hyatt Hotels Corporation, as well. In his most recent role in Columbus, he heightened awareness and recognition of and support for the visitor industry as a powerful economic development engine for Central Ohio. He also restructured and repositioned Experience Columbus to become the acknowledged sales and marketing arm of the city and the recognized orchestrator of the Columbus visitor experience. Janice Lowe, chair for Visit Jacksonville's board of directors, said the decision to hire Astleford was based on his strong experience and knowledge of the industry. "The tourism industry brings in over 3.2 million visitors annually to Jacksonville which have an economic impact of over $1.6 billion dollars. Visit Jacksonville's sales efforts bring in over 400 conventions, meetings and sports groups annually into Duval County and help to support the 43,000 hospitality industry employees in Northeast Florida. With Paul's vast experience we expect he will be able to assist in growing these numbers to record levels." Kerri Stewart, senior vice president at Infinity Global Solutions, a Jacksonville-based economic development and government affairs firm, had served as interim president for Visit Jacksonville for a year. "The Visit Jacksonville team is a strong, experienced group of industry professionals" said Stewart. "They are excited about having such a well-respected industry leader at the helm in Jacksonville. The team is dedicated to bringing Jacksonville into the national spotlight and to making it a preferred travel destination in the competitive Florida and U.S. travel markets." 6 B M & T ••• May/June 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com