The Board

Peggy Benua was appointed to the MBVCA in January 2020.  Peggy has spent the last 20 years working on Miami Beach, currently as the General Manager at Dream South Beach hotel.  Peggy relocated back to the area in 2000 when she joined Marriott as Resident Manager at the Eden Roc Renaissance. Prior to accepting the role as opening General Manager for Dream South Beach in 2008, Peggy was General Manager at the Marriott South Beach.  

Peggy earned her BFA from the University of North Florida, where she graduated cum laude.  Peggy has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry since earning her master’s degree in Hotel and Food Service Management from Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.

After completing a management training program with ITT Sheraton, she held various rooms operations positions in San Diego and Los Angeles area Sheraton Hotels, including the Sheraton LAX and the Sheraton Grande, part of the ITT Sheraton Luxury Collection.  Prior to relocating back to Miami, Peggy was Hotel Manager at Le Meridien Dallas from 1994 to 1999.

Peggy sits on the Executive Board of the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association and was Board Chair in 2014 and 2015. She served as a Board member of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority from 2012 through 2017 and was Board Chair from 2014 to 2017.  Peggy is also a member of the AOHT Advisory Board as well as the Miami Beach Chamber Board of Governors.  She previously served as a member of the Miami Beach CCAB and has Miami Beach Commission for Women.

Peggy is the recipient of the 2022 Miami Beach Chamber’s “Excellence in Tourism” award, 2016 Miami Beach Commission for Women “Women Worth Knowing” Award, 2014 Recipient of the Red Cross “Sara Hopkins Woodruff Spectrum Awards for Women,” and 2012 Recipient HSMAI South Florida Chapter’s “General Manager of the Year”.  In October 2016 she was listed by Florida Trend as a Miami Dade “Must Know Contact”.

When not operating her hotel or participating in industry-related activities, she enjoys outdoor activities such as cycling and scuba diving.

George Neary was appointed to the MBVCA in January 2020. He is currently the President & CEO of Tours “r” Us, a tour company that curates tours concentrated on the historic communities of Miami Beach, the historic Art Deco District, MiMo resort architecture; Wynwood, Miami Design District, Little Havana, Little Haiti, Downtown Miami, Historic Overtown, Coconut Grove and beyond.

He was previously Associate Vice President of Cultural Tourism for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) since 1998 until his retirement in 2018. He was in charge of the creation and implementation of a new arts and cultural program for Miami-Dade County and directed promotional programs that encouraged and increased visitor attendance at local cultural events and attractions. His job also included creating linkages and partnership between Greater Miami businesses and the arts community. During his tenure. his targets were cultural tourism, heritage tourism, and gay & lesbian tourism.

Prior to his tenure at the GMCVB, George was the Executive Director of the Miami Design Preservation League of Miami Beach, Florida, where he was responsible for creating marketing and public outreach programs to preserve the historic Art Deco District, better known as South Beach, for seven years. He is currently serving as a Trustee for Dade Heritage Trust; is a past Trustee of Miami-Dade Art in Public Places, is a past board member of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, Co-Chair of The Miami Beach Sister Cities International Miami Beach Committee, and a founding member of The Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council. Additionally, he for served 8 years and was a founding member on the Miami Beach Pride Committee; founding member of the Mayor’s LGBT Business Enhancement Committee and served for 7 years, holds membership in the Black Archives is a founding board member of the Greater Miami Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and is an Advisor from Florida to The National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C. He is also an adjunct professor at Miami Dade College and the former Chair/Member of the Board of Advisors at the Design and Architecture Senior High School (DASH). He is also on the Board of Directors and Fundraising Chair for the MDCPS Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT). George is also a Board member of the Ancient Spanish Monastery; Vice President of the Flamingo Terrace Enterprise; Vestry Board member of All Souls Episcopal Church in Miami Beach, and Board Member for the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority. George was previously the President of Neary Enterprise in Brooklyn, New York, that created, directed, and administrated marketing, advertising, and promotional plans. He was Director of U.S. Marketing for AFS Intercultural Programs, Inc. the International student and teacher exchange program in New York. George was also with the Peace Corps for seven years as training and orientation coordinator, recruiter/publicist, and a volunteer in St. Vincent & The Grenadines, West Indies.

He received his B.A. from St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, and has been involved in many community organizations over the years.

Faye Goldin was born in Brooklyn, New York and has been a resident of the City of Miami Beach since 1976. She currently works at the Nike Store on Lincoln Road where she assists residents and tourists alike daily, with their needs and purchases. Faye has dedicated her time to various Boards in Miami Beach to include the Fine Arts Board; Beautification Committee; Police Citizens Relations Committee; Miami Beach Sister Cities Committee; and most recently on the Miami Beach Commission for Women. She was also previously an active member of the Mount Sinai Young Presidents Club and the Mount Sinai Founders Club. She currently resides in the Mid-Beach area of Miami Beach.

Steven Haas was appointed to the MBVCA in January of 2020, while previously serving on the Board as Chair from 2004 to 2008 and as a Board member from 2002 to 2004. Miami’s born and bred tastemaker, is the former Executive Director for Centerplate at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Haas was previously the Immediate Past Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), the first to helm the board from the restaurant sector. Steve created one of the organizations premier programs, Miami Spice. During his time with the GMCVB, Haas helped curate the Miami Begins with Me and Miami Spice Restaurant Month initiatives that advanced the level of standards for customer service and restaurant promotion in Greater Miami and Beaches.

Preeminent restaurateur, entrepreneur, and culinary creator, Haas is a key visionary in the development of Miami’s vibrant food tourism community. Haas enjoys a storied history at some of South Florida’s finest dining establishments. He founded City Hall the Restaurant, located in the heart of Miami’s performing arts district. He was co-owner and operating partner for Soyka Restaurant by News Café Corp. Haas was also the General Manager for China Grill, Tuscan Steak, Red Square, Delano and Social at the Sagamore Hotel. Haas’ extensive pedigree in restaurant management also includes running the world famous The Forge, and positions at Joe’s Stone Crab and Monty’s Stone Crab.

Steve Haas is now seeking his next adventure back in the restaurant business!

Mohan Koka was appointed to the MBVCA in May 2024 and is currently the General Manager at the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, Miami Beach. With over 24 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Mohan has held numerous department head and executive leadership positions. Prior to joining Kimpton, Mohan had an extensive career with Loews Hotels & Resorts, starting at the dynamic Loews Miami Beach Hotel, followed by the market-leading Loews Atlanta Hotel, and the charming Loews New Orleans Hotel.

While in Miami, Mohan began in a sales role and quickly made a mark with his dedication and skill. Advancing through the sales organization, he embraced opportunities to understand various market segments deeply. Selected for the prestigious Loews Leadership Development Program, Mohan transitioned into roles in Housekeeping and Front Office, where he played a key role in supporting a significant room renovation project and enhancing guest experiences.

In Atlanta, Mohan worked closely with the GM, taking on responsibilities during a transitional period. He focused on improving the hotel's online reputation, fostering a culture of excellence, and driving initiatives that enhanced guest satisfaction. His leadership contributed to the hotel's recognition and numerous accolades.

As General Manager at Loews New Orleans Hotel, Mohan led efforts to transform the employee culture, resulting in more engaged and motivated staff. He collaborated with Sales, Marketing, and Revenue teams to boost the hotel's performance and online presence. Mohan's involvement in the community included serving on several boards, where he contributed to the local tourism and hospitality landscape.

Returning to Miami in 2018, Mohan found a perfect fit with Kimpton Hotels. He built a strong leadership team, focusing on improving hotel performance and guest experiences. Under his guidance, the hotel navigated through the challenges of the pandemic and emerged stronger, continuing on a trajectory of excellence. Mohan currently serves on the board of the FRLA's Miami chapter.

Fluent in six languages, Mohan enjoys yoga, biking, cooking, and spending time with his family. His leadership style is characterized by motivation, results-driven accountability, and a deep commitment to enhancing the guest experience.

Cori Rice is currently the President of SAMCOR Communications LLC. Prior, Cori was the founder of Hill + Knowlton/SAMCOR, Miami. With more than 25 years of global communications experience, Cori offered clients senior-level communications counseling with a keen understanding of business objectives and strategies. Cori has extensive consumer, corporate, travel and tourism and crisis experience and has managed many large accounts including Red Roof, DHL, Diageo, Denny’s, Jarden Consumer Solutions, P&G Beauty, and the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority.

Before launching the company in 1996, Cori held the position of head of worldwide communications for Burger King Corporation. She was directly involved with every aspect of international communications for the fast-food industry giant. Her expertise in reputation management and crisis communications were critical to protecting and building of the BK brand and have proven invaluable to H+K clients. Cori began her career as an anchor and field reporter for WNWS All-News Radio in Miami. She served as the first female civilian spokeswoman for the City of Miami Police Department and managed the public face of Eastern Airlines.