WCCA Update: O'Dell to Become New Chief

Washington Convention Center Authority to Appoint New CEO

The Washington Convention Center Authority (WCCA) recently announced its intention to appoint Gregory O'Dell as the new chief executive officer and general manager. O'Dell is expected to start June 30.

A former WCCA board member, O'Dell served most recently CEO of the DC Sports & Entertainment Commission, which is responsible for two of the District's largest entertainment venues, RFK Stadium and the D.C. Armory. He also managed the completion of the new Nationals Park.

''The Convention Center plays a vital role in the District of Columbia's economy, generating hundreds of millions of dollars each year in spending by our customers and their attendees, and my top priority would be to ensure we continue to maximize the impact of this world-class facility on our city,'' O'Dell said. ''The Authority has an important mission, and I am confident that the Convention Center team, which I would be honored to lead, will deliver.''

While a member of the Authority Board, O'Dell successfully negotiated the memorandum of agreement with Marriott International, Inc., that established the principal business terms of the Convention Center's Headquarters Hotel project. He was also the principal construction and financial oversight consultant for the Convention Center project as a senior manager with BearingPoint.

O'Dell, a resident of Ward 2, earned his bachelor's degree in finance and government from Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. He also holds a professional certification in project management from the Project Management Institute.