AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER - Key Persons


Adrian Hernandez

Job Titles:
  • Events & Exhibitor Services Manager

Amy K. Harris - VP of Sales

Job Titles:
  • Director of Sales

Ben Hamilton

Job Titles:
  • Events & Exhibitor Services Supervisor

Beto Silva

Job Titles:
  • Event Coordinator

Carla Nickerson

Job Titles:
  • Program Manager, Community Services

Dakota Thompson

Job Titles:
  • Event Coordinator

Derick Hackett

Job Titles:
  • Senior Public Information Specialist

Eddy Yanez

Job Titles:
  • Senior Events & Exhibitor Services Representative

Felicia Ojeda

Job Titles:
  • Community Engagement Specialist

Gamaliel Mosqueda

Job Titles:
  • Market Research Analyst

Hays Thompson

Job Titles:
  • Parking Division Manager

Jacek Czelak

Job Titles:
  • Senior Events & Exhibitor Services Representative

James Randall

Job Titles:
  • Event Coordinator

Jeff Kuryak

Job Titles:
  • Senior Sales Manager - Texas, Southeast, Sports, Diversity and International ( 150 Room Nights on Peak )

Katy Zamesnik

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director
  • Chief Administrative Officer of the Austin Convention Center Department
Since August 2021, Katy Zamesnik has been the Chief Administrative Officer of the Austin Convention Center Department, providing guidance and oversite for the redevelopment and expansion of the Austin Convention Center, the department's overall budget, funding mechanisms, and debt services. She also serves as the liaison and contract manager for Visit Austin, the City's Direct Marketing Organization, and City Hall. As a member of the Austin Convention Center Department's Executive Team, she oversees the the Department's budget and the Community Engagement and Arts Programs. Zamesnik previously served as the department's Acting Chief Administrative Officer from March 2020 to July 2021, researching and developing financial models for expansion during the pandemic, and the management of contracts with consultants for real estate and development. She has also served as a Business Process Consultant, Bond Development Coordinator, and Senior Budget Analyst for various City of Austin departments.

Kayla Becht

Job Titles:
  • Graphic Designer

Keith Sparks

Job Titles:
  • Marketing Representative

Kerrie DiCapua

Job Titles:
  • Event Coordinator
  • Supervisor

Keyla Castellanos

Job Titles:
  • Event Coordinator

Lily Harris

Job Titles:
  • Event Coordinator

Marti McCollough

Job Titles:
  • Manager - Events & Guest Services

Monica Hoyos

Job Titles:
  • Contract Specialist

Noe Lara

Job Titles:
  • Creative Manager

Paul Barnes

Job Titles:
  • Deputy Director
  • Deputy Director - Chief Operations Officer
Paul Barnes has been the Deputy Director - Chief Operations Officer since 2017. He oversees the day-to-day operations of the Austin Convention Center (ACC), Palmer Events Center (PEC), and three parking garages. Barnes oversees six divisions at ACCD including Building Operations, Event and Exhibitor Services, Sales, Security, Marketing/Public Information and IT, as well as all Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and special projects allocated to the department. He joined the department in 2008, as the Convention Facility Manager. Overall, Barnes has over 30 years of experience in the meeting and convention industry and hails from New Orleans where he attained decades of experience in the hospitality industry. Barnes is a graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. His extensive experience and strong credentials have been vital to the continued growth and success of the ACC and PEC, helping ensure that these city facilities continue to retain and capture convention and trade show businesses that economically benefit the City of Austin.

Reena Castaneda

Job Titles:
  • Parking Operations Manager

Regina Salinas

Job Titles:
  • Sales Manager - 18 Months ( 10 - 149 Room Nights on Peak )

Rolando Fernandez Jr.

Job Titles:
  • Deputy Director
Rolando Fernandez Jr. is part of the Austin Convention Center Department's executive team as a Deputy Director. He is a member of the redevelopment and expansion project team and will lead the department's purchasing, contracts, and project management teams. Fernandez is a United States Air Force veteran and a local government executive with more than 26 years of experience. He comes to ACCD from the City of Austin's Central Procurement group within the Financial Services Department, where he served as a Capital Contracting Officer. There, he was responsible for leading the procurement, execution, and contract management for professional and construction services for the City's Capital Improvement Programs. With 17 years of overall experience with the City of Austin, Fernandez previously served as Interim Capital Contracting Officer, Assistant Director, and Assistant to the City Manager, focusing on Capital Improvement Programs, construction services, contract procurement, and development.

Stephanie S. Hawkins

Job Titles:
  • Administrative Specialist

Taje Allen

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director
In 2022, Taje Allen was named Assistant Director of the Austin Convention Center Department. He is a member of the ACCD Executive Team and is responsible for 140 full-time employees. He oversees six managers and 13 supervisors that manage the day-to-day operations of the Austin Convention Center, Palmer Events Center, Convention Center Warehouse and Marshalling Yard, and three parking garages. Allen oversees facility maintenance, event set-ups and tear-downs, event electrical, rigging, recycling, custodial, building and grounds, and Capital Improvement Projects. Previously serving as the Interim Facility Manager from 2021-22, Allen excelled in facilities operations, strategic planning, and problem-solving during the pandemic. He guided the efforts in obtaining the Global Biorisk Advisory Council's (GBAC) Star Accreditation that led to the validation of the Austin Convention Center and Palmer Events Center cleaning programs and demonstrated best work practices to prevent and respond to outbreaks. Allen has also spent time as ACCD Event Services Manager, ACCD Event Coordinator, ACCD Event Coordinator Intern, and Event Operations Assistant for the University of Texas. He has a total of 17 years of experience with ACCD. Allen earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management from the University of Texas at Austin, where he also played football for the Longhorns before playing six seasons in the NFL.

Teddy Kim

Job Titles:
  • Senior Events & Exhibitor Services Representative

Terri McBride

Job Titles:
  • Media Guide Link

Tina Travers

Job Titles:
  • Senior Sales Manager - VA, MD, DC, and West ( 150 Room Nights on Peak )

Trisha Tatro

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Director of the Austin Convention Center Department
Trisha Tatro is the Director of the Austin Convention Center Department (ACCD). She previously served as the Assistant Director since 2018. As Assistant Director, her duties included administration over Facility Operations, Sustainability, Capital Improvement Projects, Event Utilities, Building Maintenance and Parking Operation departments, both at the Austin Convention Center (ACC) and the Palmer Events Center (PEC). Tatro managed the $74 million Capital Improvement Project budget for the Austin Convention Center Department that includes the Marshalling Yard and Warehouse design projects and the exterior restoration of the Castleman Bull House. Another successful project led by Tatro was a joint effort in completing the walkways that now connect the Hilton and Fairmont Hotels to the convention center. Tatro joined the department in 2002 as an intern while working on her Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from the University of Texas at Austin. Since she has moved up the ladder as an Event Coordinator, Senior Event Coordinator, Event Coordinator Supervisor, Events Services Manager, Convention Facility Manager and as the ACCD Assistant Director.

Victoria Razo-Dobney

Job Titles:
  • Events & Exhibitor Services Representative