Board of Directors
The ESCA Executive Committee and Board of Directors are made up of industry leaders dedicated to the advancement of the exhibition, meeting and special events industries.
Meet the minds driving ESCA’s vision! Explore our board members and staff bios for a closer look at the individuals shaping our industry’s future.
Executive Committee
Damon Ross
Immediate Past President
Senior Group Vice President
CORT Trade Show and Event Furnishings
Board Members
Jim Kelley
Official Contractor Member
Vice President, Marketing & Industry Relations
Fern
Joanne M Sanders
Labor Member
International Vice President,
Tradeshow Department Director
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
ESCA Presidents
| Year | Name | Company |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Taylor Vriens | Modern Expo & Events |
| 2023 | Damon Ross | CORT Trade Show and Event Furnishings |
| 2022 | Bob Ryley | GES |
| 2020-2021 | Neil McMullin | Fern |
| 2019 | Chris Schimek | Freeman |
| 2018 | Rich Curran | EXPO Convention Contractors, Inc. |
| 2017 | Julia Smith | Global Experience Specialists |
| 2016 | Lenny Servedio | Freeman |
| 2015 | Jay Atherton | Freeman |
| 2013-2014 | Bruce Nable | SER Exposition Services |
| 2011-2012 | Chuck Grouzard | Global Experience Specialists |
| 2009-2010 | Steve Hagstette | Freeman |
| 2007-2008 | Aaron Bludworth | George Fern Company |
| 2006 | Tom Drullinger | George Fern Company |
| 2004-2005 | Kim Methe | Freeman |
| 2002-2003 | Carl Mitchell | Shepard Exposition Services |
| 2001 | Barry Rappaport | Freeman |
| 2000 | Tom Blaine, Jr. | Blaine Convention Services |
| 1999 | Todd Iverson | GES Exposition Services |
| 1998 | Barbara Lane | GES Exposition Services |
| 1997 | Larry Arnaudet | Freeman |
| 1996 | Jim Reese | Champion Exposition Services |
| 1995 | Bill Polke | Freeman |
| 1994 | Jim Thompson | GES Exposition Services |
| 1993 | Elden Almquist | ATTCO Exposition, Inc. |
| 1992 | Craig Smith | Andrews-Bartlett |
| 1991 | Dale Van Ort | Freeman |
| 1990 | Hugh MacLean | Greyhound Exposition Service |
| 1988 – 1989 | Ralph Iverson | Brede Exposition Services |
| 1986 – 1987 | Jim Caplin | United Exposition Service |
| 1984 – 1985 | Jim Moore | Moore Displays, Inc. |
| 1982 – 1983 | Norm Seeger | Badger Exposition Service |
| 1980 – 1981 | Sol Tolkin | Exposervice Standard, Inc. |
| 1978 – 1979 | John Reibold | Brede Exposition Services |
| 1976 – 1977 | Don Vaughn | Freeman |
| 1975 | Jim Howe | Greyhound Exposition Service |
| 1973 – 1974 | Toby Aaron | The Aaron Group |
| 1971 – 1972 | Leon Manne | Manncraft/Greyhound |
| 1970 | Sam Katz | United Exposition Service |
