Black Meetings and Tourism

July/Aug 2013

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•pg_3-13_ICI__BMT_pg3-58 8/12/13 5:17 PM Page 6 NEWSMAKERS DONALD RICHARDSON NAMED CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF BRAND USA Brand USA, the public-private partnership responsible for launching the United States' first-ever nationally coordinated tourism marketing effort, recently announced Donald Richardson has joined the organization as chief financial officer. In this critical leadership role, Richardson is responsible for developing and leading the financial strategy for the organization in a way that is responsive to Brand USA's key stakeholders, ensures compliance with policies and operating controls, and enables the organization to make strategic decisions and accurately measure performance and return on investment of its core initiatives. With over 30 years of professional experience in accounting, financial management, automated systems and information technology trends, Richardson has demonstrated technical, management, and programmatic capabilities in all facets of business process engineering, organizational design, strategic planning and systems implementations. "We are excited to have Don join our team," said Chris Thompson, president and CEO of Brand USA. "Over the course of his exemplary career, he has provided clients with superior leadership during critical growth and transition phases, including hiring professional and technical staff, developing strategic plans, implementing effective management information systems, and directing complex projects." A former partner with KPMG, Richardson was responsible for spearheading service delivery to several non-Department of Defense (DoD) U.S. government agencies, including the Executive Office of the President, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and the Department of Agriculture. Following the spinoff of KPMG to BearingPoint, a management and technology-consulting firm, Richardson served as managing director and partner. In his capacity with both organizations, he provided IT and operational services to a variety of governmental clients and was responsible for market development, service delivery and profit/loss MILTON SEGARRA-PANCORBO APPOINTED PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE PUERTO RICO CONVENTION BUREAU The Board of Directors of the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau announced the appointment of Milton SegarraPancorbo as president and CEO of the organization. Segarra took the helm of the non-profit organization dedicated to driving meetings and conventions to the island in June. Segarra oversees all aspects and operations of the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, including the headquarter offices in San Juan and regional hubs of New York, Chicago and Washington, DC. In addition to directing the efforts of the Bureau staff and implementing policies set by the Bureau's Board of Directors, Segarra is responsible for maintaining strong relationships with the organizations 300+ member-suppliers, local business leaders and elected officials. Milton Segarra is a well-respected business leader with a wealth of experience in Puerto Rico's tourism sector. In addition to serving as Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, he has served as Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce. Segarra has also held various sales, marketing and top management positions with some of Puerto Rico's top international hotel brands including Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Hyatt Resorts Puerto Rico. Most recently, Segarra worked in business development within the island's burgeoning medical tourism arena. "The Puerto Rico Convention Bureau has an outstanding reputation as a forward-thinking leader in the meetings and conventions industry," stated Segarra. "I am proud to carry on the organization's mission in contributing to Puerto Rico's vitality as a meetings and conventions destination and am eager to help position Puerto Rico for continued prosperity within this highly-specialized and highly-competitive economic sector." Segarra graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a B.A. in Business Administration, Finance and Marketing. He also attended Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration where he earned a Certificate in Financial Management, and the Ashridge Business Institute in London, where he studied Advanced Hotel Management Principles. Milton Segarra will be based in the headquarter offices of the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau in San Juan. 6 B M & T ••• July/August 2013 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com

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