Executive Staff and DirectorsElizabeth Nelson2019-10-24T09:23:09-08:00

Executive Staff and Directors

2019-20 OCVA Executive Officers:

Chairman: Jay Burress, President & CEO – Visit Anaheim
Vice-Chair: Shaun Robinson, General Manager – Hilton Anaheim
Secretary: Paulette Lombardi-Fries, President- Travel Costa Mesa
Treasurer: Russ Kline, Director of Account and Market Development – American Express
Head of Advocacy Committee: Kelly Miller, President & CEO – Visit Huntington Beach

Additional OCVA Executive Board Members include:

Gary Sherwin, President & CEO – Visit Newport Beach
Kelly Miller, President & CEO – Visit Huntington Beach
Rick Francis, Assistant Airport Director – John Wayne Airport
Lynn Clark, Disney Resort Sales

Marketing Committee Co-Chairs:

Sarah Kruer, Director of Tourism Development – South Coast Plaza
Doug McClain, SVP & Chief Marketing Officer – Visit Newport Beach

Director Emeritus, Posthumous

Werner Escher, Global ambassador for South Coast Plaza

OCVA Office Location:

19200 Von Karman, Suite 880
Irvine, CA 92612
949-336-7210

ADVISORS:

Orange County Film Commission: Janice Arrington, Film Commissioner

MANAGEMENT:

Ed Fuller, President/CEO
Susan Thronson, Senior VP Marketing
Brenda Shelton, Administrative Assistant
Christy Teague, Destination Management
Micky Rucireta, Senior Vice President of Administration & Operations
Sharon Sola, Destination Management

3 Buena Park 2 Anaheim 6 Garden Grove 7 Huntington Beach 4 Costa Mesa 10 Newport Beach 8 Irvine 9 Laguna Beach 5 Dana Point 1 Aliso Viejo

Cities

Pick a city from the map or the list below to explore.

Orange County

Known around the world as "The OC," Orange County, California envelops you in the ultimate Southern California lifestyle… casual sophistication, pristine beaches, legendary theme parks and endless options for fun in the sun or cultural exploration. With sun-soaked days and star-filled nights, here you'll be immersed in the real California dream.

HIGHLIGHTS

2. Buena Park

Buena Park is known as the entertainment capital of Southern California and birthplace of the boysenberry. Meet Snoopy and ride world-class roller coasters at Knott's Berry Farm, enjoy dozens of waterslides at Knott's Soak City waterpark, choose from three interactive dinner shows and dine at award-winning restaurants like Porto's Bakery & Café or Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor.

1. Anaheim

Anaheim is home to the Anaheim Packing House, a historical citrus-packing facility turned eclectic food hall with over 20 independent eateries ranging from international cuisine to American comfort food. A city brimming with a local sports culture, Anaheim boasts two professional sports teams: the Los Angeles Angels and the Anaheim Ducks.

6. Huntington Beach

Huntington Beach was recently voted the “Best California Beach” by USA Today. With 10 miles of pristine coastline, enjoy beach yoga, surf lessons, bird-watching in the Bolsa Chica Wetlands, sunset bonfires, and pampering spas or a signature event such as the California Wine Festival. Huntington Beach has the most oceanfront rooms within a one-mile stretch on the West Coast.

3. Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa is the internationally acclaimed arts and theater district in Orange County. Stay in the City of the Arts® and enjoy concerts at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, experience designer shopping at South Coast Plaza, boutique shopping at The OC Mix, and support “little American business” at The LAB and The CAMP.

9. Newport Beach

Beyond the radiant sun, sand and surf, discover the sophisticated charm of Newport Beach, California. With the largest recreational harbor on the west coast, there are ten miles of extraordinary fishing, swimming, surfing, and aquatic sports activities. Ten distinct neighborhoods make up Newport Beach, each with its own unique personality, natural beauty and story to share.

7. Irvine

Irvine is where community, business and nature are in harmony. Beautifully manicured office parks are surrounded by more than 16,000 acres of parks, sports fields and dedicated open space, the most in the county, offering residents and visitors alike preserved natural habitats and wildlands with miles of hiking and biking trails.

8. Laguna Beach

The artist colony of Laguna Beach is one of Orange County’s hidden gems, located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. The city’s topography is unique to other California coastal cities with its seven miles of coves and beaches where visitors can explore sea caves, tide pools, oceanside bluffs, natural tide pools and of course, sandy beaches, all within city limits.

4. Dana Point

Dana Point is a perfect blend and meld of the natural and beautiful harmony of the cliffs, the beaches, the harbor, the stunning world-class resorts. It’s a comfortable, surfer town that invites one and all. Known for its four breathtaking coastal resorts, Dana Point offers accommodations for every lifestyle and corporate meetings.

1. Aliso Viejo

Aliso Viejo is a magnet for a dynamic and educated workforce and the home to award-winning schools including the private liberal arts college, Soka University. Another twenty-five colleges and universities are within 30 miles.

Orange County
Known around the world as "The OC," Orange County, California envelops you in the ultimate Southern California lifestyle… casual sophistication, pristine beaches, legendary theme parks and endless options for fun in the sun or cultural exploration. With sun-soaked days and star-filled nights, here you'll be immersed in the real California dream.

Cities

1. Aliso Viejo
Aliso Viejo is a magnet for a dynamic and educated workforce and the home to award-winning schools including the private liberal arts college, Soka University. Another twenty-five colleges and universities are within 30 miles.
View More
2. Anaheim
Anaheim is home to the Anaheim Packing House, a historical citrus-packing facility turned eclectic food hall with over 20 independent eateries ranging from international cuisine to American comfort food. A city brimming with a local sports culture, Anaheim boasts two professional sports teams: the Los Angeles Angels and the Anaheim Ducks.
View More
3. Buena Park
Buena Park is known as the entertainment capital of Southern California and birthplace of the boysenberry. Meet Snoopy and ride world-class roller coasters at Knott's Berry Farm, enjoy dozens of waterslides at Knott's Soak City waterpark, choose from three interactive dinner shows and dine at award-winning restaurants like Porto's Bakery & Café or Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor.
View More
4. Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa is the internationally acclaimed arts and theater district in Orange County. Stay in the City of the Arts® and enjoy concerts at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, experience designer shopping at South Coast Plaza, boutique shopping at The OC Mix, and support “little American business” at The LAB and The CAMP.
View More
5. Dana Point
Dana Point is a perfect blend and meld of the natural and beautiful harmony of the cliffs, the beaches, the harbor, the stunning world-class resorts. It’s a comfortable, surfer town that invites one and all. Known for its four breathtaking coastal resorts, Dana Point offers accommodations for every lifestyle and corporate meetings.
View More
7. Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach was recently voted the “Best California Beach” by USA Today. With 10 miles of pristine coastline, enjoy beach yoga, surf lessons, bird-watching in the Bolsa Chica Wetlands, sunset bonfires, and pampering spas or a signature event such as the California Wine Festival. Huntington Beach has the most oceanfront rooms within a one-mile stretch on the West Coast.
View More
8. Irvine
Irvine is where community, business and nature are in harmony. Beautifully manicured office parks are surrounded by more than 16,000 acres of parks, sports fields and dedicated open space, the most in the county, offering residents and visitors alike preserved natural habitats and wildlands with miles of hiking and biking trails.
View More
9. Laguna Beach
The artist colony of Laguna Beach is one of Orange County’s hidden gems, located halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. The city’s topography is unique to other California coastal cities with its seven miles of coves and beaches where visitors can explore sea caves, tide pools, oceanside bluffs, natural tide pools and of course, sandy beaches, all within city limits.
View More
10. Newport Beach
Beyond the radiant sun, sand and surf, discover the sophisticated charm of Newport Beach, California. With the largest recreational harbor on the west coast, there are ten miles of extraordinary fishing, swimming, surfing, and aquatic sports activities. Ten distinct neighborhoods make up Newport Beach, each with its own unique personality, natural beauty and story to share.
View More