Santa Monica Travel & Tourism Announces 2021-2022 Board Executive Committee Appointments And Staff Promotions

SANTA MONICA, Calif., (July 27, 2021) – Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) announced the staff promotions of Evan Edwards to Chief Operating Officer, Todd Mitsuhata to Director of Global Business Development, and Rachel Lozano To Chief People Officer, positions within the Executive Leadership Team, effective immediately. Similarly, SMTT confirmed the new slate for the 2021-2022 Board Executive Committee including Albin Gielicz, Chair, Neil Carrey, Vice Chair, Jan Williamson, Secretary, and Younes Attallah, Treasurer.

Edwards joined SMTT in 2014, with her most recent post as Director of Operations. In her new role as Chief Operating Officer she will be responsible for managing the overall business operations strategy of SMTT in this crucial time for the organization’s growth and continued success. Edwards will also be in charge of guiding the workflow strategy and organization of all essential business processes for SMTT and Santa MoniCARES.

Mitsuhata a rejoint SMTT en 2016 en tant que directeur, Asie-Pacifique et Amérique latine, et a ensuite été promu à son poste le plus récent de directeur principal du développement commercial mondial. Dans son nouveau rôle de directeur du développement commercial mondial, Mitsuhata renforcera le positionnement de Santa Monica au sein des marchés internationaux dans cette période de reprise critique en tirant parti de ses connaissances et de sa compréhension de l'industrie mondiale, de son expérience de première main avec les meilleurs détaillants et opérateurs de voyage, en construisant des campagnes coopératives avec des géants comme United Airlines, et en dirigeant le lancement d'activations sur le marché telles que Pier One au port de Sydney en Australie.

Lozano joined SMTT part-time in 2007 as Project Manager and became full-time in 2015 as Director of Visitor Experience, and continues to grow in her leadership role and responsibilities. She was instrumental in the visitor services department growth, retail services and “I am Santa Monica” program. In her new role as the Chief People Officer, Lozano will lead the implementation and development of the Workforce Strategy and continue to oversee Visitor Services management for SMTT. The Chief People Office develops, implements, and aligns Human Resource programs with business objectives and supports employees in their day-to-day Human Resource needs.

Leading the Board Executive Committee as Chairman is Santa Monica resident Albin Gielicz. He served as a member of the board of directors for the past seven years, previously in the role of Vice Chair. Gielicz is a marketing-business development generalist and sustainability advocate with substantial international experience in the U.S. and in emerging markets. He is a working member of the Montana Ave. merchants association and volunteers with the City of Santa Monica’s Community Working Group (CWG) whose charge is to perform a comprehensive review and to make suggestions and recommendations on the future of the City’s boards, commissions and task forces.

Neil Carrey, résident de Santa Monica et avocat chez Baker & Hostetler, LLP, est désormais vice-président du comité exécutif du conseil d'administration. M. Carrey apporte près de 50 ans d'expérience en tant qu'avocat spécialisé dans la fiscalité, les affaires et les organisations exonérées, représentant des clients dans tous les secteurs, y compris les organisations à but non lucratif. Il a également travaillé pour la commission des loisirs et des parcs de Santa Monica et pour la Police Activities League (PAL). M. Carrey a contribué à la création du Chris Carrey PAL Education Fund, qui offre aux membres de la PAL des bourses d'études pour couvrir les frais d'éducation post-secondaire. Depuis 19 ans, plus de 116 bourses totalisant plus de $310 000 euros ont été attribuées à des jeunes de la PAL.

Jan Williamson, a member of the community since 1995, continues to serve as board Secretary. Under her leadership as Executive Director of the 18th Street Arts Center, the organization has evolved from a small, alternative artist-run space to Southern California’s largest artist residency center. 18th Street Arts Center provides a platform for diverse local and international artists who provoke public dialogue through their art making. During her tenure, the organization purchased 18th Street Arts Center’s 1.25-acre property and Williamson has been leading the planning and fundraising efforts for the renovation and redevelopment of the site. She holds a certificate from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders and a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Younes Atallah est le trésorier du conseil d'administration. Atallah a plus de 20 ans d'expérience dans le domaine de l'hôtellerie et supervise les opérations générales de l'hôtel Loews Santa Monica Beach, qui compte 347 chambres et se trouve à quelques pas du sable et de l'emblématique jetée de Santa Monica. Il dirige également les restaurants de l'hôtel et ses 30 000 mètres carrés d'espace événementiel intérieur-extérieur. Auparavant, M. Atallah a travaillé pour Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts et Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. Il est expert dans la fourniture de services de luxe axés sur la croissance, l'expérience positive des clients et des membres de l'équipe, et les bénéfices nets.

“We are fortunate to have three high-caliber individuals that are so well-qualified to assume such important roles within our Executive Leadership Team and are now poised to help accelerate our tourism recovery efforts locally and internationally,” said Misti Kerns, President/CEO of Santa Monica Travel & Tourism. “And to now lead our board with tourism expertise and professionalism are four incredibly gifted individuals to serve on the 2021-2022 Board Executive Committee. Combined, our new team and committee members will contribute strong leadership qualities and in-depth hospitality experience that will serve Santa Monica well in the current economic environment and for the long-term challenges of recovery and sustained growth.”

À propos de Santa Monica Travel & Tourism
Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) s'efforce de renforcer notre économie locale en améliorant et en promouvant nos communautés en tant que destination de voyage distinctive, convaincante et accueillante. Pour plus d'informations, visitez le site santamonica.com, email info@santamonica.com, ou suivez SMTT sur Instagram (@SeeSantaMonica), Twitter (@GoSantaMonica) ou Facebook (@VisitSantaMonica).