Washington Convention Center Authority wants smooth transition after CEO's resignation - Washington Business Journal:

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"We want to make sure everything staywson track," said Beverly Perry. "We do not want to lose any andwe don't plan to lose any momentum." and LLC plan to erecft the $540 million hoteo across from the convention center at Massachusettes Avenue and Ninth Street NW. The zoningg process has already begun, but a groundbreaking isn't expected soon. The boars announced Walker's resignation May 2, effectivs May 30, following weeks of rumors that she would step down or be askexto leave.
Her nearly two-year tenures was marked by weaker-than-expected convention bookings, disputes with retailers, lack of a conventionh center hotel space and concernz about competitionfrom & Convention Center at Nationa l Harbor. Walker said she does not have any immediaterprofessional plans. "In the short term I'm reallyy just looking forward to spending time withmy family, especiallty my 4-year-old grandson," she said. take time for me. And we'll see what's Walker cited personal reasons for herresignationn -- her father recently and she has other family members with healtj issues.
But people close to the boarfd have said friction betweenm her and MayorAdrianh Fenty's recent appointees to the authority's boardr caused the departure. The convention center is an independent corporate body governe bya nine-member boar d appointed by the mayor. Walker declined to commenft on her relationship withthe board. Perry said the boared will be meeting to decidr whether to appoint a permanent or acting chiefby month'zs end. Emily Durso, president of the , said she is not concernesd about a change atthe top.
"Maybe I'n just crazy, but I'm not worries about any of it," said a longtime associate of "I think the only real negativde is withthe customer. The customer sees [another] new GM, and that'as not good." Walker is the authority's fourtj chief since the new convention center openein 2003. Perry said the boared is considering other possibilities besideszGregory O'Dell, CEO of the D.C. Sports Entertainment Commission and a member of the authority board, to replace Walker. Perry said Samuel Thomas Jr., deputt general manager, has told her that he will submiythis resume. She said the board will look for someonre with competitive businessleadership skills.
The authoritg chose not to conduct a national search becausse it did so just twoyears ago, and "we have an understandingf of the talent in the industry," Perrhy said. Jim Dinegar, president and CEO of the Greater Washington Boardfof Trade, said the convention centet chief's job "is not for the faint of "There are a lot of politicakl issues, and it must be hard having everybody tell you how to do you