Congress Speakers
Roger Dow
Roger Dow is President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Travel Association (formerly Travel Industry Association), the national umbrella organization representing all segments of the $740 billion U.S. travel and tourism industry.
Among the many honors he has received, Dow most recently was recognized by his peers as the 2008 Association Executive of the Year, according to Association Trends. The honor reflected Dow’s success in taking steps to unify the travel industry and greatly increase its effectiveness on Capitol Hill.
Dow has served in his present position since January 1, 2005. Prior to joining the U.S. Travel Association, Dow rose through the ranks at Marriott International in a career that began as a summer lifeguard at the sixth Marriott hotel and spanned 34 years. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President, Global and Field Sales, leading Marriott’s 10,000 person worldwide sales organization. His many accomplishments for the company included development of Marriott Rewards, the world’s leading frequent traveler program.
In addition to being named Association Executive of the Year, Roger Dow has also been name to the Convention Industry Council’s prestigious Hall of Leaders, was recognized by Meeting Professionals International (MPI) as one of the industry’s top leaders, was selected by MeetingNews as one of the 25 most influential people in the meetings industry, and has been honored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) with its Academy of Leaders Award.
Dow frequently speaks on leadership, sales, marketing, and management at conventions and corporate meetings. He has co-authored two books: TURNED ON – Eight Vital Insights to Energize Your People, Customers and Profits and THE TRUST IMPERATIVE – The Competitive Advantage of Trust-based Business Relationships.
Dow resides in Potomac, Maryland with his wife Linda, and two children, Blake and Devon.
David A. Rodriguez
David A. Rodriguez assumed the role of executive vice president – global human resources for Marriott International in 2006. Mr. Rodriguez was appointed a corporate officer in 2000, and in 2004, to the board of directors’ Committee for Excellence.
Dr. Rodriguez joined Marriott International and assumed the role of senior vice president - staffing & development in 1998. In 2003, he was appointed executive vice president – human resources for Marriott Lodging. Prior to joining Marriott International, Dr. Rodriguez held various human resources-related positions at Citicorp (now Citigroup) and Avon Products.
Dr. Rodriguez graduated from New York University in 1980 with a bachelor of arts in psychology and in 1987 with a Ph.D. in industrial/organizational psychology. He is on the Board of Directors for Human Resources Policy Association, and a member of Cowdrick Group (ORC), Personnel Roundtable, Advisory Council on Human Resources Management (Conference Board), Human Capital Leadership Council (Hewitt), Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, American Psychological Association, and the Hispanic Association for Corporate Responsibility.
Elaine Richard
Elaine Richard graduated from Johnson & Wales University in 1985 with an Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor’s degree in Food Service Management. She joined Marriott International in 1985 and recently celebrated her 25 years with the company.
She started her career in the Kitchen as an entry-level manager trainee and worked her way up to Executive Chef. From Executive Chef, she became Director of Catering, Director of Food & Beverage and then took on Rooms Operations. She also held two hotel executive committee positions as Director of Operations. Subsequent to her property success, she served as Regional Director of Food & Beverage for the Northeast Region and also as Director of Food & Beverage for New York Marriott Marquis.
In 2004, she was promoted to VP Operations and has served in this capacity for the Eastern Region and then in progressively larger scope positions at Marriott Corporate offices in Bethesda, MD where she has led the global implementation of the Great Room initiative and operations deployment of training, communications, standards and market services. Recently, Elaine was promoted to Vice President, Food & Beverage for the Americas.
Scott Davis
Scott Davis, President of FLIK International, began his career with FLIK in 1989 and was promoted to Vice President in 1993; Vice President, Operations in November 1998 and President in 1999.
Prior to joining FLIK, Scott was recruited by Whole Foods Specialty Markets and for the next four years, Scott spent the majority of his time designing, building and renovating restaurants, prepared food operations and production kitchens for this nationally recognized retailer.
Scott has spent his entire professional career in foodservice. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel/Restaurant Administration at Johnson & Wales College in 1980. For six years after graduation he was Director of Operations for one of Boston’s largest off-premise caterers.
Scott resides in Ridgefield, CT with his wife Rachel and three daughters.
John Martin
John Martin has been President of The Capital Grille since 2004. He joined the company in 1990 as a Manager at its first restaurant, in Providence, RI. Since then, he has held several positions of increasing responsibility and was promoted
to Vice President of Operations in 2001. He was named President three years later and stayed in that position after The Capital Grille and its former parent company, RARE Hospitality International, were bought by Darden Restaurants in 2007.
John started his restaurant career in 1986 at Hemenway’s Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar, which was founded by Ned Grace, who also started The Capital Grille and several other restaurants.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in food service management from Johnson & Wales University in Providence. He and his wife, Carolyn, have two children.