The Convention Board elects a new executive director

The Massachusetts Convention Center’s board of directors voted Monday to appoint Marcel Vernon Sr. to lead the quasi-public agency into its next chapter, choosing the chief financial officer of a Boston-based social services organization with experience in state government rather than the leader of the Washington convention center authority.

On Monday afternoon, after final interviews with the two finalists were conducted at an open public meeting, the board voted 12-0 in favor of Vernon.

The search for a new leader to take over the agency took almost a year after former executive director David Gibbons stepped down last November.

Vernon is the CFO and senior vice president of finance at Boston-based Bay Cove Human Services. During deliberations over who should lead the agency, many board members cited Vernon’s established ties in the Boston area and relationships with the local community as strengths.

He also worked as financial director at the Tax Office, and from 2018 he managed finances at District Courts and the Court Management Office.

The board voted for Vernon over the other finalist, Hootan Kaboli. Kaboli is senior vice president of operations at Events DC, the organizing body for conventions, entertainment, sports and cultural events in the nation’s capital. According to his LinkedIn, he has been with the organization for eight years and has held several positions.

“One thing that really stands out to me about Marcel is the local connection, right? He has experience here in Massachusetts, has contacts with people, and has some experience working in the state in several different capacities. What stands out to me in particular is that we’re bringing someone into this role that is so deeply rooted in the community, and this is someone that we know needs to rebuild trust in many ways,” board member Ashley Groffenberger.

The quasi-public agency responsible for an $845 million economic impact in the Boston and Springfield areas has struggled with its public image over the past few years as issues related to racial discrimination – an allegedly opaque process for dealing with land holdings and a new audit – came to light. state government, which said they were “precisely selected when convenient or inconvenient” in accordance with state law and internal policies regarding public records, procurement and settlement agreements.

The search for a new executive director was seen as an opportunity to open a new chapter in the organization, with a greater focus on prioritizing inclusion and equity in an organization with more than 400 employees.

From 2010 to 2013, Vernon was the Chief Financial Officer of Elite Prototype Athletics, a sports and recreation complex in Brooklyn, New York. Vernon moved to Massachusetts in 2013 with his wife and children, he said. In the interview, he emphasized his involvement with Men Organizing for Support and Strength in Dorchester, which he believes helps create business opportunities in underrepresented communities.

“Transformation” is a recurring theme that Vernon touched on during his final one-on-one interview with the 12-member board on Monday afternoon in Boston.

After saying he brings “experiences and results-oriented transformation… to the table,” he added: “I’m not saying transformation is needed here. But you know, I certainly think I can be a change agent that can really help take power to the next level of success.”

Although he has no direct experience on convention boards, board members expressed confidence that his professional experience was transferable.

According to his LinkedIn, Vernon worked for seven years as director of finance and casino operations at Harrah’s Entertainment, Isle of Capri and Mohegan Sun.

“At first, we had no idea how deep experience Marcel had in the industry. And honestly, for me, because I work in this industry, it was a big problem,” said Cindy Brown, CEO of Boston-based Duck Tours. “But when we talked to him in detail about the hands-on work he had done in casinos and hotels that essentially double as convention centers, I was impressed by his experience.”

During the interview, Kaboli emphasized his “direct” and “instant” skills, currently working as senior vice president of operations at one of MCCA’s convention competitors.

He said he negotiates directly with unions, has built a workers’ culture at Events DC, manages $30 million in inside sales and attracts outside sales to the convention center, and works with local officials to obtain financing and approvals when necessary, pointing out that many of these responsibilities will be transferable to work in Massachusetts.

However, Sheena Collier, who led the board’s search efforts, said that while industry knowledge was “a plus… the role is broader.”

“In my opinion, Marcel will bring unity to this Convention Center,” said Aisha Miller, who co-chaired the search committee with Collier.

The executive director position pays a salary of $250,000 to $320,000 per job at Koya Partners, a contract search firm.

— Sam Drysdale/House of Representatives News Service