Washington -- Reba Pittman Walker, who for the past six months has served as acting general manager of the Washington Convention Center, today was named the center's permanent chief executive.
Walker, who will also hold the title of general manager, was one of the first staff members at Washington's original convention center. She spent 12 years serving in increasingly senior positions, lastly as director of operations. Prior to returning to the Washington Convention Center, in January 2005, Walker served as president of the Hotel Association of Washington, D.C., where she represented 88 area hotels.
Beverly Perry, center chairwoman and senior vice president for government affairs and public policy at Pepco Holdings, Inc., said of Walker, "Her vast institutional knowledge of the Washington Convention Center combined with her experience in the hotel and tourism industry gives her the skills and experience necessary to ensure the convention center reaches its full potential."
Previous to her work at the center, Walker was vice president of convention center sales at Volume Services America, a provider of food and management services for convention, entertainment and sporting venues.
Additionally, Walker's professional experience includes two political appointments by former President Bill Clinton: deputy chief of staff to the Secretary of Agriculture and acting assistant secretary for administration in the Department of Agriculture.
Opened in 2003, the Washington Convention Center contains 703,000 square feet of exhibit space, 150,000 square feet of meeting space, and a 52,000-square-foot ballroom.