OUR TEAM

Think of our team as the biggest cheerleaders for the heart of South Carolina. From our sales teams who work to bring large meetings & conventions to the region, to our engineering and operations teams keeping the Convention Center running smoothly to our marketing team creating collateral and advertising to keep Columbia top of mind - our team is dedicated to the Columbia region’s growth through and through.

Team members reporting to the Executive Director of the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) include sales, partnership services and convention services personnel. The Columbia SC Visitors Center, a brick-and-mortar visitor information center and retail shop falls under the guidance of the Experience Columbia SC (ECSC) DMO and includes visitor services personnel.  

The ECSC Sports team includes an Executive Director and one Sports Development Manager.  

Team members reporting to the VP/General Manager of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center (CMCC) includes sales, events, operations, engineering and security personnel.  

Leadership from each of these branches reports to a shared CEO, who answers to a Board of Directors. While each entity has its own director or general manager and team members, the various entities rely on a shared marketing department, finance department, human resources department and administration, which streamlines key components such as branding and messaging, budgetary organization, general oversight and benefits.

Learn more about each entity and how they're connected here.

Authority Staff

Bill headshot

Bill Ellen President & CEO

You won’t find a more passionate team anywhere. So whether you are planning a major conference, sports tournament or just a weekend getaway for your family, we have the expertise to make your experience memorable.

Linda headshot

Linda Cannup Executive Assistant to the President

Lemuel Headshot

Lemuel Brown Human Resources Manager

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Tamara Addison Direct of Human Resources

Amanda headshot

Amanda Cusaac Finance Director, MSA

Felicia headshot

Felicia Nesbitt Finance and Accounting Manager

Joan headshot

Joan Heintz Staff Accountant, Accounts Payable Contact

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Kayla Bland Accounting Specialist

Charlene headshot

Charlene Slaughter Director of Communications, APR

Dayna headshot

Dayna Cantelmi Communications Manager

Lauren Lee headshot

Lauren Lee Digital Marketing Associate

Kathleen Burbage Headshot

Kathleen Burbage Marketing Associate

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Isha Patel Content Assistant

Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

Cheryl Headshot

Cheryl Swanson Vice President/General Manager, CVE

Meredith headshot

Meredith Merritt Director of Events, CMP

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Tia Schafer Director of Sales

Koby headshot

Koby Ruff Sales Manager

Natalie Headshot

Natalie Peterman Sales Manager

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Kiki Foster Special Event Manager

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Neketta Ramsey Special Event Manager

Annie Clark Headshot

Annie Clark Event Manager

Candace Headshot

Candace Peguero Event Manager

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Tinia Lazenby Event Manager

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Olivia Mueller Event Manager

Scott C headshot

Scott Carpenter Security Manager

William Farmer Headshot

William Farmer Engineering Director

Sam Franklin headshot

Sam Franklin Director of Operations

Thomas Davidson Headshot

Thomas Davidson CMCC Administration - Events & Sales Associate

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Patty Wesley Guest Services Coordinator

Experience Columbia SC Sports

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Scott Powers Executive Director of Sports, STS

Grayson Hopp Headshot

Grayson Hopp Sports Development Manager

Convention and Visitors Bureau

Headshot of Rick Lackland with a cream colored background

Rick Lackland VP of Convention and Visitors Bureau

Crystal headshot

Crystal Morris Executive Sales Manager

Twila headshot

Twila Jones Senior Sales Manager, CFMP

Della headshot

Della Carmichael Convention Services Manager

Judie headshot

Judie VanPatten Partnership Services Manager

Nadia headshot

Nadia J. Muhammad Sales Manager

Tara Teate Headshot

Tara Teate Sales Manager

Ariana headshot

Ariana Khandkar Administrative Assistant - Meetings and Sports

Visitors Center

Larkin Headshot

Larkin Newberry Visitor Services Manager