Our people are our greatest asset.
At the Mission Bay Conference Center, we believe our people are our most valuable resource and the key to our success. It's our policy and our mission to recruit and hire people at all levels of our organization that have the highest levels of integrity, talent and motivation. We know these qualities are essential in every aspect of our business. Whether it's providing exceptional customer service, protecting and preserving the environment, or ensuring a safe experience for our guests and employees, it all comes down to our team.
Let our expert staff help plan your next event. Contact us today.
Mark Wallace - GENERAL MANAGER
email: wallace-mark@aramark.com
phone: 415.514.4670
In the hospitality field for over thirty years, Mark is responsible for guiding the Mission Bay Conference Center team towards their mission of being a "world class meeting facility in the heart of Mission Bay."
Mark started in the meetings industry with Marriott Hotels in Palm Springs, CA and Portland, OR. After ten years in the hotel industry, he went to work as the Regional Director of Sales for the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, OR. This was followed by a four-year stint as Director of Sales and Marketing at The Anaheim Convention Center where he was recruited to be the Assistant General Manager in charge of planning and opening the new Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, AZ.
A graduate of Oregon State University, Mark also studied at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in Madrid, Spain. He has been a volunteer with the American Diabetes Association for over twenty-three years, serving on the local Northern California Leadership Board as well as the National Income Development committee.
Jeffrey Avila - DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
email: avila-jeffrey@aramark.com
phone: 415.514.4749
Jeffrey Avila brings over twenty-four years of hospitality experience as a chef and food service director to his current role as Director of Operations at the Mission Bay Conference Center.
Prior to joining MBCC, Jeffrey worked as an Executive Chef for Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants in Chicago, IL. He also spent time as a Sous-Chef-in-training at the American Club, a Five-Diamond Resort in Kohler, Wisconsin. Jeffrey earned his Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering before his adventure in cooking began at the California Culinary Academy.
Megan McCabe Noonan - SR. SALES & MARKETING MANAGER
email: mccabenoonan-megan@aramark.com
phone: 415.514.4848
With over seven years of sales and marketing experience in the corporate and hospitality industries under her belt, Megan has been with the Mission Bay Conference Center since 2008.
Overseeing the entire sales department and all marketing efforts for the MBCC, Megan most recently spearheaded the conference center's comprehensive re-branding campaign to raise awareness of this world-class meeting facility.
Megan holds a Bachelor's Degree in Graphic Design & Marketing from the Art Institute of San Diego and a Marketing Certification from Cornell University's marketing program.
Kyle Soraghan - SR. CONFERENCE PLANNING MANAGER
email: soraghan-richard@aramark.com
phone: 415.476.1991
Kyle brings a background in hospitality garnered from his early days working at the Four Seasons Hotels and his fifteen years in banking at industry leaders Bank of America, ABN AMRO and UBS, into play as the Conference Planning Manager for the Mission Bay Conference Center.
Kyle is responsible for overall operations at the conference center where he organizes, plans, and executes events for clients.
Heather Knight has been in the Hospitality industry for 10 years. As Conference Planning Manager at Mission Bay Conference Center, Heather plans and manages functions taking place at the center ensuring client’s needs are met and executed flawlessly.
Heather Knight - CONFERENCE PLANNING MANAGER
email: knight-heather@aramark.com
phone: 415.5144.680
Heather has been in the Hospitality industry for 10 years. As Conference Planning Manager at Mission Bay Conference Center, Heather plans and manages functions taking place at the center ensuring client’s needs are met and executed flawlessly.
Heather started her career in Hospitality at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel in their Sales Department, but quickly found her passion for Conference Management. After 9 years at Loews she joined the Sagamore Hotel as their Conference & Catering Manager until relocating from Miami Beach to San Francisco.
Heather graduated from Barry University with her B.S. in Elementary Education
Heather started her career in Hospitality at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel in their Sales Department, but quickly found her passion for Conference Management. After 9 years at Loews she joined the Sagamore Hotel as their Conference & Catering Manager until relocating from Miami Beach to San Francisco.
Heather graduated from Barry University with her B.S. in Elementary Education
Elise Stefani - EXPRESS MEETING MANAGER
email: stefani-elise@aramark.com
phone: 415.476.1991
Elise brings over 3 years of experience in the Hospitality industry. Elise is responsible for supporting both the Sales and Conference Planning teams by working towards sales goals, assisting with the creation of contracts, planning and implementing events, and conducting client surveys, while maintaining the highest level of customer service for Aramark at the Mission Bay Conference Center.
Prior to joining Aramark, Elise worked for Wedgewood Wedding & Banquet Center where she held the position of Catering Sales Manager and was responsible for managing all aspects of events, while maintaining exceptional customer service levels and meeting targeted booking goals.
Elise earned her bachelors of Science degree in Recreation Administration from California State University, Chico.
John Finley - EXECUTIVE CHEF
email: finley-john@aramark.com
phone: 415.514.4749
Born and raised in Louisiana, John Finley has a strong background in creole and Cajun dishes. Working for Aramark for the past three years, he was the Executive Sous Chef at the Oakland Coliseum, creating menus for large events and crowds, and serving dishes to champions, athletes, and managers from the sports industry.
As the Executive Chef for the Mission Bay Conference Center and The Pub at UCSF, Chef John Finley brings his culinary vision to the menu with ethnically diverse dishes from traditional southern dishes, to Turkish, Moroccan, South America, and Central American just to name a few. In addition to the diversity of menus, John looks to the wealth of local produce in the Bay Area to inspire wholesome meals for the staff, faculty, students, and community at UCSF Mission Bay.
John graduated from Baltimore International Culinary Academy with honors.
August Olson - EXECUTIVE SOUS-CHEF
email: olson-august@aramark.com
phone: 415.514.4749
With over twenty years of experience in all facets of the food service industry, August has been the Mission Bay Conference Center's Executive Sous-Chef for the past six years.
Prior to joining MBCC, August was the Vice President and Executive Chef for one of the top catering companies in the Bay Area.
Elizabeth Stone - FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER
email: stone-elizabeth@aramark.com
phone: 415.514.4695
With over thirty years of hospitality experience, Elizabeth is responsible for managing The Pub restaurant and assisting in the banquet department.
Elizabeth began her career as the concierge at the Carnelian Room Restaurant, atop Bank of America's world headquarters in San Francisco, where she was promoted to Private Dining Manager, coordinating all private dining events and managing a staff of twenty-five. She then became the Operations Manager at Wharton San Francisco, where her responsibilities included all aspects of food and beverage, classroom set ups, breakdowns, and the overall coordination of events.
Sara Hancock - ASSISTANT CONTROLLER
email: hancock-sara@aramark.com
phone: 415.476.4676
Sara Hancock brings over eight years of experience in food service to the Mission Bay Conference Center and as Assistant Controller is responsible for overseeing the Accounting Department.
After a career as an educator, Sara was drawn by the lure of good food into the world of catering. Prior to joining MBCC, Sara held positions in the accounting departments at the Phoenix Convention Center and Arizona Mills Mall.
Sara holds two Bachelor’s Degrees from The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
Tony Dee - ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT
email: dee-tony@aramark.com
phone: 415.514.4676
Tony brings over five years of accounting systems and financial experience to his role as Accounting Assistant for the Mission Bay Conference Center where he is responsible for payroll, check processing, and collections.
Prior to joining MBCC, Tony was in customer service at the Holiday Inn, Fisherman's Wharf, handling guest check-in/check-out, daily reporting, and billings.
Tony holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of San Francisco.
Ryan Reyes - ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT
email: reyes-janryan@aramark.com
phone: 415.514.4849
Ryan brings over four and half years of experience in the hospitality industry to his role as accounting assistant at
the Mission Bay Conference Center, where he is responsible for accounts payable and cash controls.
Prior to joining MBCC, Ryan served in the U.S. Navy for four years and holds his Accounting certification from Skyline College.