NATCAP Board Elections

The SGMP NATCAP Nominations & Elections Committee is pleased to present the list of approved candidates for the 2025-2027 Chapter Board:

National Capital Chapter Candidates for 2025-2027 Board of Directors

President Candidate

Melissa Woodruff, CMP, CGMP 

Melissa Woodruff is currently the Senior Director of Events at AFCEA International.  For the past 10 years, she has been working in government as a contract and government planner.  Melissa was NATCAP Chapter President from 2019 – 2021.  Under her leadership, she brought NATCAP back to the forefront for awards including Programming, Communications and more!  She received the SGMP Presidents Award in 2020.  Melissa’s goal as NATCAP President is to once again make NATCAP the chapter to beat!  With a strong chapter board, it is her hope to listen to the members and give them the value of their membership in events, programming and communications.

First Vice President Candidate

Jessica A. Robinson, CMP, CGMP, HMCC 

Jessica Robinson is the Principal Owner of J. Robinson Signature Events, which offers services ranging from coaching to event management and group travel. With 30 years of experience, she has a proven track record of improving practices and increasing visibility efforts.  Jessica serves as a Board Director and Membership Chair (NATCAP) and as a member of SGMP Cares (National). She has received several awards over the years for her dedication as a leader and mentor. Jessica is a familiar face amongst many industry organizations and hopes to continue to lead NATCAP on a path forward with better engagement opportunities for our members!

Second Vice President Candidate

Bernard C. Howe, CGMP

Benard Howe is the Global Account Manager, Government & Military at Sonesta International Hotels. With over 40 years in hospitality, he has held leadership roles in sales and marketing with top brands, including Hilton, Sheraton, and Sonesta. A dedicated SGMP member, he served two terms as Treasurer and two terms as Director of Community Outreach and Membership for the National Capital Chapter. Benard brings expertise in relationship building, strategic sales, and event planning. His goal is to strengthen SGMP’s industry impact, foster growth, and support government meeting professionals with valuable resources and networking opportunities.

Secretary Candidate

Tecumseh Deloney, CMP, CGMP 

Tecumseh Deloney serves as Senior Manager Conference & Meetings on a government contract awarded to ZERO TO THREE.  Tecumseh is a 23-year SGMP NATCAP member who has served in various positions on the National Board, Gilmer Institute of Learning, and NATCAP Chapter Board.  Tecumseh brings extensive leadership experience, in-depth knowledge and expertise in the meetings industry to include SGMP history, its processes and procedures. A recipient of the 2017 Sam Gilmer Planner of The Year, 2019 SGMP National President’s Award, 2024 Legacy Award and 2020 Connect Magazine “15 Over 50” Honoree.  A proven leader who knows what it takes to get things done. 

Treasurer Candidate

Claudia Gunter, CGMP 

Claudia Gunter currently serves as Chapter Treasurer. She would be honored to hold this position once again.  As treasurer, she closely monitors our finances, creates our budget annually, and approves all expenses. Claudia works with the rest of the NATCAP Board to budget for our meetings/events, scholarships, speakers, and ensure our chapter continues to grow financially. In this position, she has never missed a deadline and ensures that our chapter meets all requirements. Claudia earned her CGMP in 2022 and has been a member of SGMP since 2018.  Lastly, Claudia serves as a Senior Manager, Government and Military for Hilton Hotels.

Director Candidates

Lisa Gail, CGMP

Lisa Gail is a highly experienced Project Director, Senior Event Manager, and Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP). She has a proven track record in managing project staff and budgets, conducting research, negotiating contracts, and coordinating logistics and travel for both Federal and private-sector organizations. As a member of the NATCAP Chapter of SGMP, she actively participates in the Membership and Program Committees and has also served as a Proctor and Grader for CGMP certification exams. 

Amy Rossi, CGMP 

Amy Rossi is an industry veteran in the DMV and currently serves as a Global Director for Hyatt.  Since joining SGMP, she has been very active and is always available to step in at a moment’s notice. Within one year, she earned her CGMP designation and is currently on the Membership Committee (National and Chapter).  Her dedication and involvement led to her being named one of SGMP’s 2024 Emerging Leaders. Amy will bring new energy, fresh ideas, dedication, passion and creative thinking skills for the good of SGMP.  Amy’s goal is to work with fellow members to generate a meaningful path forward for the chapter. 

         

Sherri ‘OrangeDiva’ Thurston is an experienced and results-driven professional with a proven track record in event management, public affairs, facilitation, and team building. With a strong ability to manage multifaceted responsibilities in high-pressure environments, Sherri has successfully delivered large-scale conferences, fostered strong media relationships, and crafted effective messages on sensitive issues. Skilled in research, analysis, and strategic communication, Sherri excels at facilitating team-building activities that promote collaboration and strengthen organizational cohesion. Known for exceptional problem-solving abilities, she thrives in dynamic environments, consistently achieving organizational objectives through effective coordination and communication.

Chapter Membership Online Voting OPENS Tuesday, March 25 and CLOSES on Monday, March 31 at 5:00pm (ET). 

Announcements

Register now on the events tab for Upcoming Events.   

NATCAP Virtual Program, Thursday, March 27th 1:00pm-3:00pm.  "We are ALL Sales People – Making the Most of the Planner-Supplier Relationship" with Brett Sterenson, President, Hotel Lobbyists.   Members will receive 2.O CEUs for this program.  Please visit the Events tab above to register.   

National Capital Chapter

The National Capital Chapter was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Washington, DC. Our chapter serves the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area. We offer quarterly educational programming, networking, and member resources to serve our community of government meeting professionals. 

Our Board of Directors

Kimberly McKoy, CGMP President National Credit Union Administration	Claudia Gunter Treasurer Hilton Worldwide Sales
Jessica Robinson, CMP, CGMP, HMCC Director J. Robinson Signature Events	Kathleen Ryan, CGMP Director The Boeing Company
Therese Palermino 2nd Vice-President Marriott International	Christina Bush, CGMP  Director  Hilton
Heather Vignali, CGMP Secretary Law & Economics Center, GMU Antonin Scalia Law School	Jill Blume Pittsburgh Satellite Liaison IHG Hotels & Resorts

Honors and Awards

2024 Chapter Operations - Excellence
2023 Communications of the Year (3rd Place)
2022 Communications of the Year (1st Place)
2022 Membership Growth Award (Highest Net Growth)
2022 Chapter Operations (Excellence)
2021 Programming of the Year (2nd Place)
2021 Chapter Operations (Excellence)
2020 Communications of the Year (1st Place)
2020 Programming of the Year (2nd Place)
2020 Chapter Operations (Honors)
2020 Member Recruitment Award (1st Place)
2020 Membership Growth Award (Highest Net Growth)
2012 Website of the Year (1st Place)
2012 Chapter of Excellence Award
2011 Chapter Merit Award
2011 Website of the Year (1st Place)
2010 Newsletter of the Year (1st Place)
2009 Newsletter of the Year (1st Place)

Our Satellite Chapters

The National Capital Chapter is dedicated to building up other local chapters of SGMP. To that end, we mentor and support satellite chapters by offering joint events and making NATCAP's resources and events available to satellite chapter members.