Team & Leadership

Thomas Garzilli is the chief marketing officer for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization. In this role, Tom is responsible for leading the development of Brand USA’s strategic marketing plan, and all efforts to ensure Brand USA achieves year-over-year revenue, visitation, and economic impact targets. Brand USA has raised more than $750 million in contributions from over 500 partners and has developed many successful and award-winning marketing programs; most notably, through the introduction of Brand USA’s Many...

Cassady Bailey is vice president, partner engagement and marketing for Brand USA, the public-private partnership responsible for launching the United States’ first-ever nationally coordinated tourism marketing effort. Cassady heads up interactions with Brand USA’s expanding network of nearly 500 partners. Her department assists partners with cooperative-marketing opportunities and manages efforts to attain targeted levels of partner contributions and renewals. These continued efforts have great success as Cassady and her team have a...

Jackie Ennis is vice president, global markets for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Jackie leads Brand USA's trade engagement and marketing efforts, manage Brand USA's global offices, and continue to effectively work to optimize trade and consumer reach around the world. Jackie joined Brand USA in August of 2018 as senior director, global trade...

Mark Lapidus is vice president, product and technology for Brand USA, the nation’s public-private partnership dedicated to increasing international visitation to the United States through marketing and promotional efforts. Mark joined Brand USA in June 2014 and is responsible for leading the global effort for GoUSA TV and Brand USA’s 30+ websites for consumers, trade education, meetings, and corporate. He also oversees Information Technology and hosts “Brand USA Talks Travel,” a podcast for the travel industry. Prior to Brand USA...

Rosina Barbastefano is senior director, research and analytics for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy, and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Rosina executes and supports a global market intelligence program that informs both internal and cooperative partner initiatives. Rosina joined the Brand USA team in June of 2018 to manage the consumer research and metrics programs that measure...

Brian Watkins is senior director, information technology for Brand USA, the nation’s public-private partnership dedicated to increasing international visitation to the United States through marketing and promotional efforts. In this role, Brian plans, designs, coordinates, and directs all Information Technology (IT)-related activities of the organization. Brian directs and provides administrative support for daily operational activities of the IT Department. Brian joined Brand USA in March of 2013, bringing with him over 18 years of...

Susan Zachar is senior director, integrated marketing and social media for Brand USA, the public-private partnership responsible for launching the United States’ first-ever nationally coordinated tourism marketing effort.

Alexis Adelson is director, marketing operations and special projects for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Alexis works closely with Brand USA’s Chief Marketing Officer, Tom Garzilli, and the entire marketing team to manage projects and events. Alexis, who officially joined Brand USA in January 2015, also provides support to the administrative...

Skylar Clark is director, partner marketing for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. Since joining Brand USA in 2016, Skylar has been a part of the partner marketing team, starting as a partner services representative for Brand USA’s southeast partners, and then as the senior coordinator and a manager for the partner marketing & planning team. In her current role...

Luke Hennig is director, partner operations for Brand USA, the public-private partnership responsible for launching the United States’ first-ever nationally coordinated tourism marketing effort. In this role, Luke works with partners and rep agencies to collect and value all in-kind contributions for the Marketing team. He also liaises with the Department of Commerce and mitigates compliance issues to ensure submissions of in-kind contributions receive full Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) funds matching. Last but not...

Jennifer Ross is director, media and in-kind planning at Brand USA, the nation's public-private partnership dedicated to increasing international visitation to the United States through marketing and promotional efforts. In this role, Jennifer furthers the Global Market Development efforts, organizational goals, and brings value to the industry for Brand USA. She maintains relationships with international Brand USA representation firms, and seeks opportunities to create new partnerships within assigned sectors. Prior to joining Brand...

Amanda Davis is senior manager, global trade development (UK, Europe) for Brand USA, the public-private partnership responsible for launching the United States’ first-ever nationally coordinated tourism marketing effort. Amanda had been coordinator then senior coordinator for the Global Trade team, a position she held since joining Brand USA in June 2016. During her association, she has been instrumental in supporting the USA Discovery Program, Brand USA’s online-training program for international travel agents. She has also worked...

Mimi Jung is the senior manager of branding and design for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Mimi manages the creation and execution of the strategic direction for corporate branding, trade and consumer campaigns, proprietary platforms and in-market initiatives. Responsible for creative design, Mimi focuses on enhancing the marketing...

Julie Paulson is the manager, partner programs for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Julie, who joined Brand USA in May 2017, supports the implementation of cooperative marketing programs and processes with our partners and clients. Julie came to Brand USA from the Smithsonian Institution where she handled the marketing for Smithsonian's revenue...

Maria Santos is senior manager, partner marketing programs for Brand USA, the public-private partnership responsible for launching the United States’ first-ever nationally coordinated tourism marketing effort. Maria has worked support of the U.S.-based global marketing team responsible for negotiating in-kind media and creating international marketing programs. In her current role, Maria negotiates, contracts, and executes co-operative marketing campaigns focused in Europe and Latin America. Prior to joining Brand USA in September...

Suzana “Suzy” Shepard Durini is senior manager, global trade development, Asia Pacific, for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Suzy cultivates and maintains relationships with international Brand USA representation firms and partners in the Asia Pacific, seeks new trade opportunities, and manages day-to-day operations including market activation...

Phil Dickieson is manager, marketing projects for Brand USA, the nation's destination-marketing organization. He is assists the marketing team with the Brand USA's Travel Week, Global Marketplace, and other events and marketing efforts. Prior to joining Brand USA, Phil worked in nonprofit philanthropy at Born Free USA and at Earthworks. Phil graduated from St. Mary's College of Maryland with a degree in Political Science and History. He studied abroad in London and enjoyed traveling through Europe during his time there. Phil loves...

Jamila Hinds is senior coordinator, media producer for Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States. Jamila oversees the Digital Asset Management (DAM) system, collaborates with the content management team, and coordinates a variety of multimedia activities for GoUSA TV. Before joining Brand USA in 2021, Jamila worked in marketing communications and graphics production then as an implementation teammate for digital asset management and for enterprise procurement systems. She received her bachelor’s degree...

Coralis Rivera-Aponte is senior coordinator, integrated marketing and social media for Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States. Coralis serves as a key liaison with creative partners, supporting the Director of Creative Strategy and User Experience, Susan Zachar, with Brand USA's social media strategy, campaign management, and partner initiatives. Coralis joined Brand USA in September 2021. Previously, she served as Digital Marketing Coordinator at Discover Puerto Rico, serving as a bridge between local...

Rianna Airitam is senior coordinator, partner operations for Brand USA, the public-private partnership responsible for launching the United States’ first-ever nationally coordinated tourism marketing effort.

Allie May is coordinator, partner marketing programs for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. In this role, Allie is responsible for supporting the implementation of cooperative marketing programs and campaigns with our partners and clients. Prior to joining Brand USA, Allie worked as a Convention Sales Association at the San Francisco Travel Association and as a...

Diana Mellitz is a coordinator, partner marketing, for Brand USA, the nation’s destination marketing organization with the mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, fueling the nation’s economy and enhancing the image of the USA worldwide. Diana joined Brand USA in September 2021. Prior to joining Brand USA, Diana worked in the international education and exchange field as a Program Manager, interned at the U.S. Department of State Foreign Service Institute, and taught English in China. Diana graduated from...