FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2008

DESTINATION DC ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS

(Washington, DC)…Today Grand Hyatt Washington General Manager Daniel J. Amato stepped in to the role of chairman of Destination DC, the city’s official convention and tourism corporation. As a member of Destination DC’s board of directors and executive committee since 2004, Amato has long supported the organization’s efforts in its role as an economic development engine for the city.

“We’ve made great strides in the past year, launching a smart, strategic new brand strategy and marketing campaign, but there’s serious work ahead for us,” said Amato. “It’s critical that we build strong relationships with our partners, including the Washington Convention Center Authority, the Hotel Association of Washington, DC and the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, to collectively push for additional funding to support the objectives of Destination DC. It’s critical for the financial health and success of the city.” Visitors generated $564 million in DC tax revenue in 2006.

A resident of downtown DC, Amato will infuse his enthusiasm for the city into his strategic vision for its official destination marketing agency. “I love living in the heart of downtown. Visitors are discovering the city’s neighborhoods, and I love sharing some of my favorite haunts with them: E Street Theater, Gifford’s Ice Cream and the National Portrait Gallery.” 

With more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Amato landed his first job at age 12 selling hot dogs on his aunt’s hot dog truck. He worked his way through the hotel ranks, starting as a busboy at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and later working at more than 14 Hyatt Hotels in 11 cities. Amato took the helm at the 900-room Grand Hyatt in 2004 and was named General Manager of the Year by Hyatt Hotels in 2007.

Destination DC also named three new business and community leaders to its board of directors at its June 26 board meeting: Hervé Houdre, Willard InterContinental Washington; John Ross, Office of the CFO, District of Columbia; and Joe Urschel, Newseum. The board is comprised of nine representatives from the hotel industry, four representatives from the restaurant industry, five members of the business community, three members of the cultural community, three members of the transportation industry, two members of the media industry, one mayoral appointee and representative of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Ex-officio members include representatives from the DC government, Hotel Association of Washington, DC, Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, Washington Convention Center Authority, American Society of Association Executives, The American Experience Foundation and Destination DC.

Destination DC Board of Directors: 2008-2009
Chair: Daniel J. Amato, general manager, Grand Hyatt Washington*
Vice Chair: Sheila Stampfli, president, Courtesy Associates*
Treasurer: George Terpilowski, general manager, Fairmont Washington, D.C. Hotel*
Secretary: Gregory McCarthy, senior director – ballpark district, Washington Nationals Baseball Club*
Immediate Past Chairman: Dan Mesches, partner, Star Restaurant Group*
The American Experience Foundation Chairman: Gerard Gabrys, Guest Services, Inc.*

• Richard Bradley, executive director, Downtown DC BID
• Lynne Breaux, president, Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington
• John Catoe, general manager, Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority
• Paul J. Cohn, senior executive officer, Capital Restaurant Concepts*
• Gus DiMillo, partner, Passion Food, LLC
• Emily Durso, president, Hotel Association of Washington, DC
• Ronald Hallagan, vice president, Guest Services, Inc.
• William A. Hanbury, president & CEO, Destination DC
• Hervé Houdre, vice president and general manager, Willard InterContinental Washington**
• Michael Jack, president & general manager, NBC 4*
• Richard Kane, president & CEO, International Limousine
• Barbara Lang, president & CEO, DC Chamber of Commerce
• Robert A. Malson, president & CEO, District of Columbia Hospital Association
• Gregory McCarthy, Senior Director – Ballpark District, Washington Nationals Baseball Club
• Rayford McFarland, president & CEO, 21st Century Expo Group*
• Oren Molovinsky, Area General Manager , Mie N Yu / Kyma 
• Gregory O’Dell, president & general manager, Walter E. Washington Convention Center*
• Alex Orfinger, publisher, Washington Business Journal
• Frank Otero, vice-president & general manager, Hilton Washington
• Dr. Thornell Page, president, Page Research Associates
• John Ross, deputy CFO, District of Columbia Office of the CFO***
• Edward Rudzinski, general manager, Marriott Wardman Park Hotel*
• Terri Ryan, general manager, The Melrose Hotel
• Susan Sarfati, executive vice-president, ASAE and The Center for Association Leadership
• Richard Spigler, president, Carlyle & Savoy Suites Hotel
• Ann Stock, vice-president, institutional affairs, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
• Debbie Thomas, district sales manager, United Airlines
• Hector Torres, vice president, Capitol Hotels & Suites*
• Mark Treadaway, vice-president, Air Service Planning & Development
• Joe Urschel, executive director, Newseum**
• Josh Williams, president, AFL-CIO Metropolitan Washington Council
• David W. Wilmot, attorney, Harmon, Wilmot & Brown, LLP*
• Yeni Wong, president, Riverdale International, Inc.

  *Indicates a member of Destination DC Executive Committee
** Indicates a new member of the board

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About Destination DC:  Destination DC, the lead destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of more than 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. Destinationdc.com.