Business Operations Professionals Task Force

The Business Operations Task Force is comprised of destination organization professionals within the Finance, Operations, Human Resources, Research, and Information Technology disciplines and focuses on peer-to-peer engagement, the sharing of knowledge, identification of issues and the development of solutions as they relate to the professions involved with the business operations of a destination organization. Focuses on the sharing of knowledge, identification of issues and the development of solutions as they relate to the professions involved with the business operations of a destination organization and working with Destinations International to advance relevant content and professional development.

2025 Task Force Members

  • Athena Rivera, Executive Office Coordinator / Project Manager, Discover Puerto Rico
  • Cara Frank, Chief of Staff, Simpleview
  • Chad Kearns, Vice President, Fired Up! Culture
  • Charlotte Dunworth, Deputy Director - Finance & Compliance, Destin-Fort Walton Beach
  • Chris Phillips, CFO, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Christina Ibanez, Director of IT, Visit San Antonio
  • Debbie Russell, CFO/Director of Accounting Services, CFO by Design
  • Donald Lilley, Director of Technology & Business Intelligence, Visit Baltimore (Co-Chair)
  • Ellen Puffer, Human Resources Director, Chattanooga Tourism Co.
  • Heather Lang, Director of Human Resources, Visit Austin
  • Jenn Schaal, Vice President, Operations & Strategy, Visit Saint Paul
  • Jennifer Chance, Chief Operating Officer, Visit Jackson
  • Jim Ganotis, Director of Information Technology, Destination Cleveland
  • Joe Heller, CMO, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau
  • Kelly Campbell, VP of Finance & Administration, Experience Olympia & Beyond
  • Kurt Fournier, Chief Financial Officer, Visit Fort Worth
  • Laura McNichols, Director of Administration & Technology, Catch Des Moines
  • Linda Odell, Director of People & Culture, Visit Sacramento
  • Martin Garneau, Senior Manager, Systems Architecture and Application Development, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
  • Nick Landry, Vice President of Administration, Experience Rochester
  • Patti Krausert, Senior Director of Research & Data Strategy, Tulsa Regional Tourism
  • Roz Smith, VP, Operations & Culture, Ottawa Tourism (Co-Chair)
  • Terri Carter, Director, People & Culture, Destination DC
  • Tina Burke, Director of Finance & Administration, Visit Carlsbad
  • Tony Hall, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of HR and Operations, Discover Durham

Destinations International Staff Liaison

  • Becky Heath, Vice President of Finance

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