Professional Credential Program Committee (CDME Board)

The Professional Credential Program Committee oversees the policies and procedures that govern the Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) program, annually updates all required course work and the final examination, and recruits and trains instructors to teach the required courses. The CDME program recognizes mastery of the various components of the destination organization industry leadership, enhances job knowledge, and provides opportunities to improve the knowledge base of destination organization professionals.

July 2024 - June 2026 Board Members:​

  • Brett Oetting, CDME, Founder & CEO, Oetting Alchemy (Chair)
  • Gary Sherwin, CDME, President/CEO, Visit Newport Beach (Past-Chair)
  • Kathleen Davis, CDME, President & CEO, Destinations Texas (Chair-Elect)
  • Maura Allen Gast, CDME, Executive Director, Irving CVB (Ex-Officio)
  • Ana Maria Viscasillas, Founder & Chief Visionary Officer, Business Tourism Services, Puerto Rico
  • Brandy Evans, Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Winston Salem
  • Brook Kaufman, CEO, Visit Corpus Christi
  • Cassandra Gilbertson, Managing Director, MMGY NextFactor Enterprises Inc
  • Chuck Davison, Vice President of Attribution Solutions, Tourism Economics
  • Cleo Battle, President & CEO, Louisville Tourism
  • Craig Davis, President and CEO, VisitDallas
  • James Leppan, Senior Manager, Destination Development, Explore Edmonton
  • John Groh, President & CEO, Go Rockford
  • Kara Franker, President & CEO, Visit Florida Keys
  • Linda John, Vice President, Destination & Travel Practice, Fired Up! Culture
  • Milton Segarra, President & CEO, Discover The Palm Beaches
  • Mitch Witten, Chief Operating Officer, Visit Fort Worth
  • Tavis Hall, Executive Director, Experience Waterloo
  • Terry Smith, CEO, Destination Cape Breton
  • Tom Loftus, Vice President of Marketing, Richmond Region Tourism
  • Victoria Clarke, CEO, Tourism Mississauga
  • Wes Rhea, CEO, Visit Lodi

Destinations International Staff Liaison

  • Taylor Ruoff Snider, Senior Manager, Professional Development
  • Sophia Hyder Hock, Chief Impact Officer

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