MPIOC 2010-2011 Officers and Directors

PRESIDENT-ELECT - Cheryl Rivas, CMP
Cheryl M. Rivas, CMP is an Account Manager at Meeting Sites Resource, a global specialist in meeting site research and hotel/contract negotiations.  MSR supports over 300 meetings annually.  She assists and supports customers with site research, hotel evaluations, negotiations and the contract process.

Cheryl began her career in meeting and event planning at California State University, Fullerton where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with an emphasis in Entertainment Studies/Hospitality and Tourism. Cheryl has planned meetings and events for over six years and has been with Meeting Sites Resource for the last four years. She earned the prestigious Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification in 2007. 

Cheryl has been a member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) since 2005. She currently serves on the MPIOC Board of Directors as President-Elect.  She has also served on several chapter committees and is a MPIOC chapter “Shining Star” recipient.

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT - Mark Lorimer, CMP
Mark Lorimer, CMP is a principal owner of the Eventive Group, now in its tenth year serving corporate, non-profit and association meetings and events.  In the past twelve years, Mark has planned over 500 meetings and events throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Africa, providing a unique specialty of exceptional leadership and support for large community and executive planning groups.  Prior to his career in the meeting and event planning industry, Mark served fifteen years in local government administration and community development.  His unique combination of professional experience makes him especially qualified to lead and help shape the meetings industry.

Mark is currently the Immediate Past-President of MPIOC and has served on the Board of Directors for five years.  He speaks to a variety of audiences on trends and professionalism in meetings and events production and serves as a tremendous resource for colleagues and others in the industry.

VICE-PRESIDENT, FINANCE - Jo Timmering
Josephine (Jo) Timmering, is Assistant to the VP of Member Relations at Western Growers. She is responsible for the association electoral/election process including the nomination and balloting process for all members and the Board of Directors. Jo researches and organizes meeting locations, hotel accommodations, menus, and budgets for Human Resources and Membership Department off-site meetings. She was most recently responsible for District Meetings in California and Arizona.

Jo joined MPI in 1988 when it first was developed.  She served two terms as Vice President of Education, one term as VP of Membership, and two terms as Vice President of Finance.   Jo has served on all committees including five years working on the Education Conference for MPIOC.  Jo says: “MPIOC is a great organization where you learn, network with your peers and gain training in many different aspects."

VICE-PRESIDENT, MEMBERSHIP - Peggy Lamberton, CMP  
Peggy Lamberton, CMP, has been producing meetings, conferences, and incentives since 1993. Prior to her most recent position at a professional association, she was in the global marketing departments of two leading medical device corporations. She has planned and executed on site hundreds of events and incentives in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Latin America.

Peggy’s fulfilling volunteer MPIOC chapter work has had a high return, both professionally and personally. “I highly recommend getting involved in MPI Orange County,” says Peggy. “One can grow leadership talents, expand professional networks, and keep current on industry trends. I continue to make new friends at every meeting.”

VICE-PRESIDENT, EDUCATION - Charlie Reeves
Charlie has been affiliated with the MPIOC Board of Directors in multiple capacities since 2001. He currently works for the Hilton Anaheim Hotel as Senior Sales Manager handling the southeast corporate and association markets, the SMERF market and is the hotel’s HelmsBriscoe liaison.  Charlie is a Public Relations graduate of Cal State Fullerton and has juggled multiple media-based careers including advertising sales for hotels, tour operators and destinations on the top-rated LGBT travel Web site GayTravel.com. For GayTravel.com, he wrote travel blogs, hotel reviews, food reviews and planned group meetings.  Charlie occasionally writes and produces syndicated radio reports ShowbizExpress and Channel Flipping, heard locally on KFWB AM News/Talk 980 and KNX AM News 1070. Charlie has many years of local experience as a radio and TV reporter of sports, weather, traffic and his favorite, showbiz.  He continues to work the red carpets and backstage areas, interviewing nominees and winners of approximately three little shows a year - the Oscars, Golden Globes and the Primetime Emmy Awards.  

For the MPIOC Board Charlie has held several volunteer positions, served as Director of Public Relations twice, Director of Community Outreach, VP of Communications and for the second time holds the position of Vice President of Education, working closely with our Advisory Council planning advanced level education for the chapter.

VICE-PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS - Ananda Ybarra
Ananda Ybarra is a Senior Event Sales Manager for the House of Blues Anaheim. Ananda has worked in the events industry since 1999, starting as a corporate event planner prior to transitioning into sales, first for Mammoth Mountain, and then for Craig’s Extraordinary Catering before joining House of Blues in 2006. In her current position, her priority is to make planning a special event a seamless process so that her clients can relax and enjoy their own event.

Ananda has been an MPIOC member since 2004, and enjoys being a part of MPI because of the friendships she has made. This isn’t Ananda’s first time on the Board of Directors for MPIOC. In her time on the Board from 2005 to 2008, she served two years as the Director of Advertising and one year as the Vice President, Finance. She was also honored with the President’s Choice Award in 2006. Prior to joining the Board, Ananda spent a year serving on the Special Events Committee, and was awarded Committee Member of the Year in 2005.

VICE-PRESIDENT, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT   - Rebecca Aguilar
Rebecca Aguilar serves as Manager of Protocol Services, Customer Relations for Boeing Defense, Space & Security based in Seal Beach, California.  In this capacity, Rebecca provides International Protocol, corporate and dining etiquette training.  She also serves as a coach/mentor for the Customer Relations organization which develops, organizes, and plans a wide variety of external customer relations projects including site visits, special events, and domestic and international air and trade show support. 

With a penchant for getting involved, Rebecca’s experience includes customer, industry and community organizations.  She currently serves as a Board Member for the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army (GLAC AUSA); California State University Fullerton (CSUF) Alumni Association, College of Communications; Protocol and Diplomacy International, Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA); Air Force Association (AFA) Chapter #147 and Meeting Professional Internationals Orange County Chapter (MPIOC).  Rebecca was recognized as  MPI’s “Meeting Planner of the Year” by the Orange County Chapter in 2007.

DIRECTOR, RECRUITMENT  -  Jenna Beck
Jenna graduated from Cal State Fullerton with her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication with an emphasis in Organizational in 2007. While completing her degree, she began her career in the hospitality industry with PRA Orange County as an intern. Upon completion of her degree, Jenna was hired as a full-time Sales Assistant/Office Administrator at PRA Orange County and supported the sales and operations team.

Jenna recently left her position at Maxvantage (Strategic partnership between American Express and Maritz) to pursue her passion in social events. Today, as Director of Catering and Events at the Meridian Club for Colette's Events she creates memorable events for every occasion such as but not limited to weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, corporate and association meetings.

Jenna has been active with MPI Orange County since 2007 where she has served on the Recruitment Committee and was awarded the Shining Star of Year Award in 2009 and Rising Star of the Year Award in 2010.  Jenna looks forward to continuing her efforts to making a difference at MPI Orange County as the Director of Recruitment.

DIRECTOR, ADVISORY COUNCIL - Chris Riccardi, CMP
Chris Riccardi joined Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) in 2004.     As Regional Vice President, he currently oversees ALHI’s West Region with offices in Denver, Orange County and San Diego.  ALHI is a National Sales Organization serving meeting professionals with national sales services for its worldwide membership of over 125 hotels and resorts. Under Chris’ direction, ALHI’s customer base in the West has experienced significant growth, which has increased production for ALHI member hotels and resorts from this region.  He also serves on ALHI’s Executive Committee team and assists the company with member relations and development.

A very active member with MPI Orange County, Chris has held the following committee and board positions over the last few years:   Director of Advisory Council; Director of Community Outreach; Nominating Committee; and Educational Committee.  He is also an active member in FICP and SITE.

DIRECTOR, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT -  Rachel Bishop
Rachel Bishop is a Sales Manager with ACCESS Destination Services specializing in program design including event concepts, transportation logistics, recreational activities, cultural excursions, and a myriad of entertainment and event production services.  With almost 10 years of operational and managerial experience, Rachel has found networking to be instrumental in developing business contacts and building lead generation.

Rachel has been involved with MPI Orange County over the past year as a member of the Recruitment Committee and was honored to receive the Shining Star award for her efforts on that committee.  She looks forward to taking a position on the MPIOC Board of Directors as Director of Professional Development.

DIRECTOR, PUBLICATIONS - Katie Webb, CMP
Katie Webb currently works as a Business Analyst for Maxvantage Meetings, a strategic partnership between American Express and Maritz Travel.  She has spent the last 3 years with the company planning meetings, special events and tradeshows for Fortune 500 companies such as Intel, Motorola and Allergan.  Katie was introduced to the hospitality industry a little over 6 years ago when she walked in the door of the Hospitality and Tourism Management department at SDSU.  She started as an intern Event Manager at an incentive house in San Diego while also working as an intern for SDSU as the Event Manager for the largest Hospitality Job Fair in San Diego. 

When Katie is not working, she dedicates her time as the Director of ReCreation Camp where she puts on 6 events throughout the year for kids and adults with physical and mental disabilities.  This past year she served on the MPIOC Communications Committee as website editor.

DIRECTOR, STRATEGIC ALLIANCES - Debb Duff, CMP
Debb has been a member of MPIOC for over 20 years and earned her CMP 15 years ago. 
She currently works for FREEMAN, a family owned and employee owned company that has been in the trade show/corporate event business for over 75 years.  Freeman is the leading provider of integrated services for face-to-face marketing and brand building events, including expositions, conventions, corporate events, meetings and exhibit programs.

Debb has worked in the government, private sector and as an independent planner as well as on the supplier side as a Corporate Sales Manager for the Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG) Crowne Plaza Hotel – Irvine.

Debb has been on the Board of Directors for MPIOC and on various committees for over 10 years.  She also was the President of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals – San Diego Chapter.

DIRECTOR, RECOGNITION - Jessica McLin, CMP
Jessica is a corporate meeting planner at Edwards Lifesciences currently implementing a Strategic Meeting Planning Program for the company.  Her 11+ years of experience include sales and incentive corporate planning at New Century Mortgage, fundraising events at the OC Child Abuse Prevention Center as well as sales/event management for Marriott International.  She recently obtained her CMP and is working toward her MBA at Chapman University.

DIRECTOR, SPECIAL EVENTS - Natalie Good
With a passion for people and events, Natalie Good offers years of experience in coordination and design. Working for different facets of the event industry has given her a broad knowledge that allows her to help client's create their dream event. In college, Natalie pursued a degree in Communications & Public Relations, while working for a floral design firm.  Natalie looks to exceed her client's expectations every time. Being involved in the event industry is very important and Natalie feels that continuing education as well as building relationships expands her ability to be a fabulous event planner.

Natalie is currently serving positions on two industry Board of Directors:  MPIOC and ISES (International Special Events Society).

DIRECTOR, MONTHLY PROGRAMS  - Robb Thornsberry
Robb Thornsberry is the President and Founder of Infinity Events Inc, a multi-faceted, full service event design firm offering innovative event design, lighting, entertainment, AV, multi-media and destination management. 
For the last sixteen years, Robb has developed his well rounded resume to form Infinity Events Inc. and combine all things meeting and event related providing Infinite Possibilities to his clients both domestically and internationally.

Robb is proud to be an active member of MPI since 1999 and giving back to an organization that has given so much to him.  He has chaired many events for MPIOC including the recent MPIOC fundraiser on March 3 at the Discovery Science Center.

DIRECTOR, MEMBER CARE - Gina McQuade
Gina McQuade, Convention and Meeting Sales Director, Anaheim Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau.   She has responsibility in the local corporate market assisting her clients with lead generation, site inspections, destination collateral, and customized micro sites.

Gina has extensive experience in the hospitality Industry.  Prior to the 8 years that she has been with the CVB, Gina worked for 19 years at the Anaheim Marriott in various positions in Sales and Catering Sales.

DIRECTOR, SPECIAL PROGRAMS - Jennifer Lewis
A native of Palm Springs, Jennifer has been in the hospitality industry for almost 20 years and loves building long lasting business relationships and the entrepreneurship the sales process provides.

In her current position of Associate Director of Sales for Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa, Jennifer covers all of California, with a concentration in Orange County.  She is in OC monthly for business and  transferred her MPI membership from Northern California Chapter to Orange County Chapter with the sole purpose of getting involved in the OC area, building relationships, meeting new people, and making a difference with MPIOC. 

DIRECTOR, PUBLIC RELATIONS  - Ilona Hobbs
Ilona Hobbs has been in the events/meeting industry for over ten years.  She is currently an Account Executive for CORT Event Furnishings.

Ilona joined MPI four years ago and has held three Board positions.  She is also a member of SDMPI.  Ilona has been an active supporter of the event industry through her various volunteer efforts.  She has launched the ISES Orange County chapter, is a past president of ISES Greater Los Angeles chapter and was the producer of ISES 2005 Eventworld’s Welcome Event in Hollywood.  She has seen the light and is now dedicating her volunteer efforts to MPI.