Barry E. White
Following his service as president and CEO of Augusta, Georgia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Barry E. White was appointed president and CEO of Chattanooga CVB. He brings 26 years of experience with him. In his previous role, he increased Augusta’s total hotel revenue and initiated and fostered an expansion of the city’s convention center.
Sandy Narvaez
Sandy Narvaez was appointed director of sales and marketing for The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. She will be spearheading the opening of the resort’s Diamond Head Tower in October. Narvaez brings more than 10 years of experience to the role, having previously served as director of sales and marketing at Hilton Waikiki Beach.
Tina Schwab
Realize Colorado, the Global DMC Partner serving Colorado, welcomed Tina Schwab as director of sales. She will be promoting new business development, collaborating with Colorado hoteliers and fostering current client relationships. She most recently worked as group sales manager with Visit Vail Valley.
Katarina Burns
Katarina Burns is an 18-year veteran of Marriott Hotels and has been promoted to general manager of Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center in Maryland. Originally from Sweden, Burns visited the United States at 14 and fell in love with the travel industry. After moving to the U.S. in 1996 to work at the Ocean Reef Club in Florida, she eventually found her way to JW Marriott Washington, D.C., as an assistant front desk manager, and has continued to work her way up the ladder.
Ralph Mahana
Following his role as Windsor Court Hotel’s assistant general manager, Ralph Mahana was promoted to general manager. As assistant general manager, Mahana was responsible for all hotel operations and functionality. Previously, he held titles including director of rooms and guest services at the hotel.
Dana Johnson
Increasing its expertise in hosting meetings, Marcus Hotels & Resorts promoted Dana Johnson from assistant director of sales to director of sales for the Milwaukee market. She will oversee sales for Marcus Hotels & Resorts’ three Milwaukee Properties: Hilton Milwaukee City Center, InterContinental Milwaukee and The Pfister Hotel. Johnson has spent 15 of her 25 years of experience with Marcus Hotels & Resorts.
Tifani Jones
Tifani Jones was named corporate director of sales at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions. She will oversee sales teams in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; Sandusky, Ohio; Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania; and soon in Round Rock, Texas. With more than two decades’ worth of experience, she most recently worked as director of sales and service for Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau. She also has served as director of sales for both Marriott and Sheraton brand hotels.
