Our Board of Directors

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

Taylor Vriens

Taylor Vriens

President

President
Modern Expo & Events

Cory Clayton

Cory Clayton

President Elect/Learning Officer

Sr VP Operations
Freeman

RANDALL J PEKOWSKI

RANDALL J PEKOWSKI

Vice President

President and COO
The Expo Group

Pete Carroll

Pete Carroll

Secretary/Treasurer

Vice President North Division
GES

Damon Ross

Damon Ross

Immediate Past President

Senior Group Vice President
CORT Trade Show and Event Furnishings

Board Members

Angela Armstrong

Angela Armstrong

Official Contractor Member

Vice President/General Manager
GES

Laure Chachere

Laure Chachere

Official Contractor Member

General Manager Greater New Orleans Region
Freeman

Tim Heffernan

Tim Heffernan

Official Contractor Member

Chief Growth Officer
T3

Jim Kelley

Jim Kelley

Official Contractor Member

Vice President, Marketing & Industry Relations
Fern

Scott Lebwohl

Scott Lebwohl

Specialty Contractor Member

Executive Vice President
SMT Expo

Steve Margos

Steve Margos

Official Contractor Member

Executive Vice President of Operations
Shepard

Mike O’Neil

Mike O’Neil

Venue Member

Regional Vice President – Convention Centers
ASM Global

Pat Putzer

Pat Putzer

Associate Member

Vice President of Sales
Emerald Carpets

Steve Rowe

Steve Rowe

Official Contractor Member

General Manager
Heritage

Joanne M Sanders

Joanne M Sanders

Labor Member

International Vice President, Tradeshow Department Director
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)

Ann Vancoillie

Ann Vancoillie

Specialty Contractor Member

Founder & CEO
Aluvision

ESCA Presidents

YearNameCompany
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