Mohan Koka was appointed to the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) in May 2024 and serves as General Manager of the Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel in Miami Beach. With more than 24 years of hospitality experience, Mohan has built his career around developing high-performing teams, elevating guest experiences, and driving strong business results.

Prior to joining Kimpton, Mohan spent much of his careerwith Loews Hotels & Resorts, holding leadership positions at the LoewsMiami Beach Hotel, Loews Atlanta Hotel, and Loews New Orleans Hotel. Beginningin sales, he was selected for the Loews Leadership Development Program, whichexpanded his operational experience across Housekeeping and Front Office andultimately led to executive leadership roles.

As General Manager of Loews New Orleans Hotel, Mohan focusedon strengthening employee culture, guest satisfaction, and commercialperformance while actively engaging with the local tourism and hospitalitycommunity.

Mohan returned to Miami in 2018 to lead the KimptonSurfcomber Hotel, where he has built a strong leadership team and overseensignificant improvements in hotel performance, guest satisfaction, and marketpositioning. He guided the property through the challenges of the pandemic andits recovery while continuing to evolve the Surfcomber as a distinctive MiamiBeach destination.

Committed to the local hospitality and tourism community,Mohan also serves on the board of the Florida Restaurant & LodgingAssociation's Miami-Dade Chapter. He is passionate about strengthening MiamiBeach's position as a leading global destination and supporting the people andbusinesses that make its hospitality industry thrive.

A graduate of Florida International University's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, Mohan is fluent in six languages and enjoys yoga, biking, cooking, and spending time with his family. His leadership philosophy centers on developing people, creating a culture of accountability and belonging, and delivering memorable experiences for guests and employees.

Ana Cecilia Velasco, better known as Ceci, was appointed to the MBVCA in February 2026. Ceci is an energetic and highly dynamic executive with extensive leadership experience across public, private, and non-profit sectors. Currently serving as Executive Director of the Ocean Drive Association, Velasco has led major restructuring efforts, developed compliant bylaws, and enhanced stakeholder representation. Notably, Velasco established the Tourism Oriented Policing Service inpartnership with the City of Miami Beach and managed high-profile events such as the Super Bowl programming and New Year’s Eve celebrations. As a recognized media spokesperson and primary Spanish-language contact for South Beach hospitality issues, Velasco has worked closely with policymakers on COVID-19business measures. Velasco also serves on several boards and advisory panels, including the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, FIU Leeds, and Power Access, Inc., focusing on disability awareness and producing the South Beach Jazz Festival.

Previously, Velasco held executive roles at Mango’s Tropical Café and the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, staff management, and strategic initiatives. Earlier in her career, Velasco managed asset portfolios for the City of Miami Beach and directed programs for the Illinois Department of Transportation, championing minority and women-owned business enterprises.

Velasco holds a B.A. in Political Science and English Literature from Eastern Illinois University and has participated in graduate studies at the University of Illinois Springfield. Her leadership has been recognized with awards such as the Hispanic Business Advocate Award, A Woman Worth Knowing, and the Better Beach Citizen Award.  She is the founder of the C Note Breast Cancer Awareness event.

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Lisette Garcia was appointed to the MBVCA in February 2026. Lisette is a passionate advocate for inclusive economic empowerment and serves as the President and CEO of the Miami-Dade LGBTQ+& Allied Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC).  With over 25 years of experience spanning marketing, business development, government relations, event production and community engagement, Lisette brings a powerful blend of strategic vision and grassroots connection to her work.

Lisette’s career reflects her deep commitment to representation, inclusion, and opportunity. From launching the first free-floating car share program in Miami to driving multimodal mobility initiatives nationwide, she has consistently opened doors and created pathways in both the public and private sectors. Her background includes leadership roles at companies like Lime, Gotcha, Ofo, Sony Music, and Color Magazine—where she helped tell the stories of professionals of color and promote inclusive narratives in media and business.  She has also launched three of her own businesses one of which was the first gay wedding planning business in Massachusetts, co-founded a diversity publication in Boston called Color Magazine and ran her own consulting business, c3 Strategies.  

Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, Lisette is a connector, a builder, and a champion of inclusive innovation and growth. She is proud to leverage her expertise and passion for entrepreneurship to help grow and support Miami’s vibrant LGBTQ+ and allied business ecosystem. 

Lisette is also a proud native Miamian who attended MDC and holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from Simmons University in Boston, MA.  

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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.

Jorge M. Gonzalez was appointed to the MBVCA in February 2026. Mr. Gonzalez is one of the nation's most respected local government executives, with more than three decades of distinguished public service and a career defined by visionary leadership, innovation, and organizational excellence.

Since 2013, he has served as Village Manager of Bal Harbour Village, wherehe has guided the community through transformative initiatives that havestrengthened the Village's financial position, modernized criticalinfrastructure, advanced strategic redevelopment, and preserved its reputationas one of America's premier residential and resort communities.

Previously, Mr. Gonzalez served for 12 years as City Manager of the City ofMiami Beach, becoming the longest-serving City Manager of the modern era.During his tenure, he directed a $400 million operating budget, led more than1,700 employees, and oversaw a $1 billion capital improvement program. Underhis leadership, Miami Beach achieved record financial strength, earned itshighest bond ratings, reduced crime, increased resident satisfaction, andsolidified its international standing as a world-class cultural destination.His accomplishments include negotiating the agreement that brought Art BaselMiami Beach to the city, advancing the development of the New World Center and SoundScapePark, and attracting globally recognized events that transformed the city'scultural and economic landscape.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Gonzalez held senior executive leadershippositions with Montgomery County, Maryland; Arlington County, Virginia; andMiami-Dade County, Florida, where he established a reputation for strategicmanagement, fiscal stewardship, and organizational excellence.

His exceptional contributions to public administration have earned numeroushonors throughout his career, including the inaugural Florida League of CitiesCity Manager of the Year Award, the National Academy of Public Administration's250 Public Service Award, and the Miami-Dade City/County Management AssociationLeadership Award. In 2021, he was inducted into the City of Miami Beach Hall ofFame, an honor established to recognize individuals who have made significantand lasting contributions to the community. The recognition celebrates Mr.Gonzalez's transformative 12-year tenure as City Manager, as well as his morethan two decades of dedicated service and commitment to the City of MiamiBeach.

A dedicated advocate for advancing the public management profession, Mr.Gonzalez has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami and as SoutheastRegional Vice President on the Executive Board of the International City/CountyManagement Association (ICMA). He has also held leadership positionson numerous civic, cultural, and professional boards.

Mr. Gonzalez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Public Affairs and aMaster of Public Administration from the University of Miami and is a graduateof the University of Virginia's Senior Executive Institute.

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Christopher Rollins was appointed to the MBVCA in February 2026. With over 25 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry, Christopher is a results-driven executive known for successfully driving operational excellence, enhancing guest experiences, and optimizing business growth. He has held senior leadership roles with renowned global brands, managing multi-million-dollar portfolios across luxury hotels, resorts, and multi-property operations.

At the core of Christopher’s career is a passion for delivering outstanding service while leading teams to exceed expectations and foster long-term customer loyalty. With a proven track record in financial management, brand positioning, and strategic planning, Christopher consistently leverages a deep understanding of market trends to identify new opportunities, streamline operations, and increase profitability. Throughout his career, Christopher has demonstrated expertise in corporate restructuring, hospitality marketing, and team development, making a significant impact on revenue growth and operational efficiency. His leadership style is collaborative, building high-performance teams, inspiring innovation, and creating cultures that value excellence, integrity, and customer satisfaction.

As a forward-thinking executive, Christopher continues to shape the future of hospitality by embracing technology, sustainability, and data-driven strategies to meet the evolving needs of both guests and businesses. Whether through redefining service standards or introducing cutting-edge initiatives, Christopher remains committed to making a lasting impact on the hospitality landscape.

As proud invited member of the Miami Dade International Trade Consortia, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority,  Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau Board, Florida Restaurants &Lodging Association Board, and Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association board, this enables Christopher to promote the image of Miami and Miami Dade County locally, nationally, and internationally as a vibrant community and a beautiful tourist destination.  Christopher has a passion for our city. He facilitates partnerships with local leaders and elected officials for decision making in the city’s future, convention center, infrastructure, and new development. He cares about the success of Miami and Miami Beach.  He works tirelessly to bring visitors to our wonderful destination and churn the economic engine that keeps Miami moving into the future.

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