Our Staff

General Manager

Bob Cowdrey

Bob Cowdrey is a hospitality industry veteran with more than 40 years of experience on the Monterey Peninsula. He is well known and well respected in the hospitality industry and the community. Cowdrey was named General Manager of the Monterey Conference Center in February 2011. He brings the perspective of private industry to the city-run conference facility as well as strong visitor and group business experience.

Cowdrey was Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Pebble Beach Company for 20 years and interim CEO of the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCCVB). He began his career in Monterey at the Hotel San Carlos. Bob and his wife, Karen, live in Pebble Beach and they have three adult children. They all share a deep appreciation for the Monterey Peninsula and Bob looks forward to promoting the community.

Sales and Events Team

Event Supervisor

Dayna Swanson, CMP

Dayna has over twelve years of experience working in hotels, restaurants, and convention centers in catering, front desk services, and on-site event management. While working at the San Jose Convention & Cultural Facilities she coordinated the food and beverage needs for conventions, tradeshows, corporate meetings, holiday parties, consumer shows, performing arts, sporting events, and charity fundraisers.

Dayna joined our team as Event Supervisor of the Monterey Conference Center in 2003. She utilizes her work experience and education to maximize the services she provides to her clients. She is a member of the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM). In 2008, Dayna attained the designation of Certified Meeting Professional (CMP).

Dayna earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the California Polytechnic State University in Pomona.

Event Coordinator

Tonya Hufford, CMP

Tonya joined the Monterey Conference Center in 2001. Previous to that she was a Convention Services Manager for the Doubletree Hotel, now known as Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay. She has been a Monterey Peninsula resident for most of her life with the exception of living in Sacramento while attending Sacramento State University. Tonya stays involved in the community serving as an Ambassador for the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. She is an active member for the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM), MPI Northern California (MPINCC) and the Convention Industry Council (CIC). She is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), since 2004.

Sales Assistant

Olga Maximoff

Olga joined the sales team in 2009. She brings her experience in hospitality, sales and catering/conferences services gained at other Monterey Peninsula properties, including Pebble Beach Resorts. Olga enhances the sales efforts with her invaluable database administration knowledge.

Sales and Events Assistant

Lisa Kincaid

Lisa has been with the City of Monterey for five years. She brings an extensive background in Sales, and Customer Care. One of her greatest attributes in the workplace is that she takes humor seriously. Lisa feels that humor facilitates, communicates, builds relationships, reduces stress and provides perspective.

Operations Team

Operations Supervisor

Jesse Chambers III

 Jesse has worked at the Monterey Conference Center for 17 years, first as Facility Attendant, meeting the set up needs of all clients and users, then in 2000 he was promoted to Senior Facility Attendant, expanding his role with supervisory responsibilities. In October 2004, Jesse was promoted to the position of Operations Supervisor. In his leisure time he enjoys his family and playing basketball. Jesse has been a resident of the Monterey Peninsula since 1974. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1979-1984.

Operations Coordinator

Gilbert Edwards

Gilbert has been with the City of Monterey at the Monterey Conference Center for the past 19 years as a Facility Attendant. In December 2004, Gilbert was promoted to Senior Facility Attendant and brings a wealth of experience and customer service to the position. Gilbert has been a resident of the Monterey Peninsula since 1966 coming from Panama where he was born and lived until he was 9 years old. In his free time Gilbert enjoys cooking for his family and friends.

Senior Custodian

Jesus Garcia

Jesus Garcia has been a member of the City of Monterey family for 10 years. His role as Senior Custodian at the Monterey Conference Center involves not only keeping the facility safe and clean, but greeting guests and ensuring they have a positive experience.

 

In his spare time he enjoys watching baseball and basketball and coaching soccer.