Jungle Island has appointed Ashley Serrate as public relations manager. In her new position, Serrate will oversee the park's public relations initiatives and media relations. Prior to joining Jungle Island, Serrate worked at South Florida public relations firm, Kreps DeMaria.
M-DCPS Academy of Hospitality and Tourism names chairperson
Kimberly Wilson, the current chair of the Marriott South Florida Business Council and general manager of the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay, has named chair of the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism (for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools). She will serve a two-year term.
Board member for the National Council of Attractions
Livia Cohen, tourism director for Aventura Mall, has been appointed to the board of directors for the National Council of Attractions.
Officers of travel and tourism club SKAL International Miami
Ramon Antelo has been elected president of travel and tourism club SKAL International Miami. He is the general manager of the Hilton Bentley Miami South Beach hotel.
The other elected officers include:
- Nina Meyer, national director of Leisure for TraveLeaders and president of South Florida ASTA, is vice president
- Alfredo Gonzalez, vice president of tourism international business for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, is secretary
- Christopher Perks, president of The Opus Group, is treasurer
- Haley Sofge, general manager of Island Queen Cruises and Biscayne Lady Yacht Charters, is assistant secretary treasurer
- Rodrigo Trujillo and Douglas Reinmuth will serve as the SIUSA Representatives
Assistant vice president of operations research for Interval International
Ivonne Garcia has been promoted to assistant vice president of operations research for Interval International, a vacation services provider based in Miami.
She joined the company in 1988 and was most recently director of operations research.
Associate vice president of advertising and new media for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
Natasha Babulal has been hired as associate vice president of advertising and new media for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Most recently, she was senior manager of marketing and branding for Spirit Airlines.
New appointment to the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority
The Miami Beach Mayor and Commission has appointed Deborah Castillo to the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority.
She has been in the hotel industry for over 22 years and is regional vice president of sales and marketing for Loews Hotels, based in Miami Beach.
Appointment to the Florida Commission on Tourism
Andrew Hertz, general manager of Miami Seaquarium, has been appointed to the Florida Commission on Tourism by Governor Charlie Crist.
Promotions in IT department of Interval International
Miami-based Interval International, a provider of vacation services, promoted two employees:
Vivian More has been promoted to vice president of IT shared services in the information technology department.
Charlie Beech has been promoted to director of the project management office in the company's IT shared services department.
Director of client relations at Aventura Worldwide Transportation Service
Jazmin Campodonico has been promoted to director of client relations at Aventura Worldwide Transportation Service. She was previously reservations supervisor.
