MEET THE TEAM

A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED TEAM MAKES

THE DIFFERENCE

OUR

TEAM

East West Connection’s employees are our greatest asset. We have 32 full-time employees with an average of 15 years of industry experience. EWC also has a network of meeting professionals who work around the world as an extension of our team. Our vast knowledge of the field helps to provide the unrivaled experience our clients have come to love. Here are just a few of EWC’s team members:

RALPH D. WEAVER

FOUNDING PRESIDENT & CEO

Ralph has over 30 years of experience in meeting, planning, and corporate communications. He founded EWC in 1990 and has built the company into a diverse organization. Ralph formerly headed East West Consulting, which specialized in marketing communications and public relations. He was director of marketing communications for Johnson & Johnson where he managed marketing and communications programs for the pharmaceutical sector. At Bristol-Myers Squibb, Ralph was Manager of Public Affairs, Consumer and Healthcare.

DEBORAH A. DICKERSON

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

With a strong background in meeting planning, Deborah comes to EWC from American Express Meetings and Events. Deborah is uniquely qualified to lead the meeting planning team as she has served in various leadership/operational capacities across our industry. She is a results-driven professional with 20+ years of experience in global operations management, global leadership, strategic meetings management, and project management. Included in her remit was the opportunity to influence the strategic direction and implementation of a large pharmaceutical company’s Global Meetings Management program. Deborah was also afforded the opportunity to manage and support the meeting activity driven by the C-Suite of American Express and other business verticals.

ADRIENNE BRIGHT

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Adrienne is EWC’s Executive Vice President and has been affiliated with EWC since its inception. She is one of the company’s strategic influencers. Adrienne has held various management positions in the company ranging from managing quality initiatives to ensure the highest quality standards are met to overseeing procurement and the development of incentive gift programs. Adrienne currently is responsible for maximizing East West Connection’s Financial and Administrative performance. This encompasses Finance, Human Resources, Design, Compliance, Procurement, Public Relations and Marketing, Technology and the Culinary Consortium. A graduate of Howard University, Adrienne previously was in the Marketing Department at MCI and the Procurement Department for Logicon.

CAROL PADGETT

VICE PRESIDENT, DATA SECURITY COMPLIANCE & EWC INSTITUTE

Carol has 21 years of experience in all aspects of meeting and event management as well as directing and managing teams. In her role as EWC’s Vice President, Data Security, Compliance & EWC Institute, Carol is responsible for overseeing our systems and processes to ensure that our staff is trained and actively working within data, privacy and security standards. Carol works in partnership with EWC’s teams and is propelling EWC by developing the EWC Institute – an innovative initiative that will allow EWC to develop aspiring diverse talent for strategic meetings (in-person & virtual), events, and incentive programs. Prior to joining EWC, Carol was with USA Hosts where she was responsible for managing the team of meeting planners in the New Orleans office of this international destination management company.

CHERYL SALLEY

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Cheryl has 19 years of corporate experience in event planning and project management. Cheryl has successfully organized multiple planning projects simultaneously while working as a Meetings and Events Manager for UC The Source, Inc. Previously at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cheryl served as a Resource Manager where she was responsible for contract negotiations for over 60 domestic and international meetings annually. In addition, Cheryl served as the lead planner for Medical Education programs planning Advisory Board Meetings, its Speakers Bureau and Investigator Meetings.

LINDA GULDNER

DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE & OFFICE MANAGER

Linda has a distinguished career specializing in Human Resources and Office Management. Prior to joining EWC, Linda served as Office Manager for Ike Brothers Transport of Long Valley, NJ. For nine years, Linda was Human Resources and Payroll Manager for Gateway Outdoor Advertising where she was responsible for managing human resources in nine national offices planning corporate functions and events, coordinating community outreach, and overseeing corporate giving.