Visit Quad Cities Announces Maria Ontiveros as Board Chair
July 11, 2024
Quad Cities, IA/IL (July 11, 2024) – Visit Quad Cities is pleased to announce the appointment of Maria Ontiveros as the new Chair of the Board of Directors and the addition of four new members to its Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
The Visit Quad Cities Board of Directors comprises diverse community leaders representing various businesses, organizations, attractions and city governments. This group of dedicated Quad Citizens works to support our region’s tourism industry, economic growth, and quality of life while providing oversight and strategic direction for Visit Quad Cities.
Maria Ontiveros co-founded Mercado on Fifth, a vibrant open-air market in Moline, IL, dedicated to community engagement and supporting small businesses. She also serves as the corporate community liaison at Group O, one of the largest Hispanic-owned companies in the U.S. In 2023 Maria received the Treasurer’s Outstanding Commitment to Community Service award from Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs. Maria has served on the Visit Quad Cities Board of Directors since 2020.
“Effective destination marketing improves a community’s brand and reputation, attracts strategic events, and ultimately raises the quality of life for residents,” said Ontiveros. “In my role with Mercado on Fifth, a partner organization, I see the transformative impact of tourism. I am proud to take my next step in service to Visit Quad Cities whose work is so critical to enhancing our region’s notoriety and prosperity.”
Joining the Board of Directors this year are Nancy Ballenger (Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf & Caesar’s Entertainment), Mayor Reggie Freeman (City of East Moline), Steve Geifman (Geifman First Equity), and Lee Meier (CAT Scale Company/I-80 Group).
“Maria continues to serve the Quad Cities in so many positive ways and we are honored to have her as Board Chair. She has been an integral member of the Visit Quad Cities Board of Directors since 2020. Her leadership and dedication have greatly contributed to advancing our Tourism Master Plan, emboldening QC cultural and residential pride.” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO of Visit Quad Cities. “We also want to thank Immediate Past Chair Ben Leischner for his leadership, service, and passion for tourism as well as our entire Board for their commitment to the region and for driving the Quad Cities destination forward.”
Visit Quad Cities Executive Committee and Officers
Maria Ontiveros, Chair
Ben Leischner, Immediate Past Chair
Jennifer Sautter, First Vice-Chair
Neil Dahlstrom, Second Vice-Chair
Mo Hyder, Treasurer
Dave Herrell, Secretary
Visit Quad Cities Board of Directors
Nancy Ballenger, Isle Casino Hotel Bettendorf & Caesar’s Entertainment
Neil Dahlstrom, John Deere
Mayor Reggie Freeman, City of East Moline
Mayor Bob Gallagher, City of Bettendorf
Steve Geifman, Geifman First Equity
Todd Hajduk, TPC Deere Run
Travis Hankins, Bally’s Quad Cities
Dave Herrell, Visit Quad Cities; Ex-Officio
Mo Hyder, Rhythm City Casino Resort
Ben Leischner, Quad Cities International Airport
Mayor Mike Matson, City of Davenport
John Maxwell, Scott County, Iowa
Lee Meier, CAT Scale Company / I-80 Group
Maria Ontiveros, Mercado on Fifth & Group O
Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati, City of Moline
Jennifer Sautter, MindFire Communications
Kai Swanson, Rock Island County, Illinois & Augustana College
Mayor Mike Thoms, City of Rock Island
Allison Wright, Pappas Wright, PC
Finance, Audit & Compliance Committee
Jennifer Sautter, Committee Chair
Board Development & Governance Committee
Neil Dahlstrom, Committee Chair
Media Contact
Lindsey Row, MBA, Director of Public Relations and Communications at Visit Quad Cities at [email protected] or (815) 806-5427.
About Visit Quad Cities
Founded in 1990, Visit Quad Cities is the region's official destination management and marketing organization (DMMO). Visit Quad Cities is a private 501(c)(6) non-profit engine that drives economic opportunity through tourism, builds our authentic brand, tells and sells the Quad Cities story, and enhances Quad Citizens’ quality of life and place.
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