Executive Committee

Chairman

Tom Gorball

President

Michael Kennedy

Director of Food Operations, South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa

In 2010, Mr. Kennedy joined Hospitality Charitable Foundation to support and mentor the next generation of hospitality professionals. After serving as Executive Committee Secretary for 2013-14, he held the title of Chairman of the Board for 2015-19. As chairman of the board, he was responsible for working closely with the HCF executive committee and board of directors to enhance member recruitment and oversee all community-based fundraising and grant efforts.

Mr. Kennedy is the Director of Food Operations at South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa. In his role as Director, he oversees South Point’s Food and Beverage Department as he works to implement strategic plans, guest relations, process improvement and create food and beverage promotions for the property. Mr. Kennedy oversees the hotel’s 13 venues including dining, fast-casual, concessions and the hotel’s wine program. With more than 24 years of experience, he continues to expand his expertise in analyzing, developing and implementing policies to drive his department toward higher achievement.

Mr. Kennedy enjoys quality time with his two wonderful children and their two golden doodles.

Vice President

Megan Archambeault

Vice President of Sales, MGM Grand, The Signature at MGM Grand, New York-New York, and the Excalibur Hotel & Casino

Megan Archambeault is the Vice President of Sales overseeing the MGM Grand, The Signature at MGM Grand, New York-New York and the Excalibur Hotel & Casino. She is responsible for the strategic direction, vision, and performance of the Sales, Convention Services, Catering, and the Group Dining departments, supporting all four campuses. Megan works closely with the Banquets & Culinary team and is focused on delivering a world-class F&B experience for Group and Convention guests. Megan is known for her strategic approach to drive profitability, curating customer experiences, and a continual focus on employee morale and culture.

While starting her love for hospitality in Ohio in 2001 in a local Banquets facility, she felt that her career truly started in 2004 when she moved to Las Vegas and joined the Bellagio sales team. From there, she went on to hold numerous sales management and event operations positions within Bellagio, The Light Group, and MGM Resorts International. In 2016, she rejoined MGM Resorts International as the Executive Director of Sales at MGM Grand where she played an instrumental role in the development and planning of the $130M Conference Center Expansion.

She believes strongly in developing our future hospitality talent and giving back to an industry that has given her so much. Megan holds a Hotel Administration degree from the University of Las Vegas, Nevada and has actively participated in the Mentorship programs offered through UNLV, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and currently MGM Resorts. Megan is a recipient of the 2016 Connect Meetings 40 under 40 Innovators and Influencers Honor and the 2021 Innovator Award for Smart Women in Meetings.

Megan currently resides in Las Vegas with her husband David and their two daughters. In her spare time, you will find Megan and her family traveling and participating in unique events, as she believes money is best spent on experiences and memories with her loved ones.

Vice President

Anthony Olheiser

Senior Vice President of Food & Beverage, Fontainebleau Las Vegas

In his role at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Anthony is responsible for the development and execution of all F&B outlets and strategies, including menu development, culinary standards, talent acquisition, sourcing, and budgeting. He brings more than 20 years of diverse hospitality expertise to HCF, having most recently served as Vice President of Food and Beverage for Sahara Las Vegas.

Anthony was also Executive Director of The Park, and he has held leadership roles with MGM Resorts International (as Executive Director of Brand Activation), The Ritz Carlton Los Angeles and JW Marriott Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE (as Director of Food and Beverage), and MGM Grand (as Director of Entertainment and Development).

Anthony’s unwavering passion and commitment to mentorship drove him to join HCF in April of 2022 to make a positive impact on the next generation of hospitality professionals.

Anthony is an avid runner, a hot sauce connoisseur, and a loyal WWE fan. In his free time, he loves spending time with his wife Natalie and his son Anthony Jr. and their daughter Ariana.

Secretary

Alyssa Mendes

Vice President and General Manager, Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace

Alyssa currently leads all aspects of operations for Nobu Hotel and is a member of the hotel leadership team at Caesars Palace, helping to drive the overall strategy of the property with respect to revenue management as well as operational efficiency and service standards. In addition, she oversees the operations of both Qua Spa and weddings at Caesars Palace.

Prior to that, Alyssa was VP of F&B at Harrah’s Las Vegas, The LINQ and Flamingo Las Vegas, overseeing both front of house and back of house culinary operations. Alyssa started her career in hotel operations where she held management positions at Harrah’s & Harvey’s Lake Tahoe and Harrah’s Resort Southern California before moving to Las Vegas as the Director of Hotel Operations at Harrah’s Las Vegas.

Originally from the San Diego area, Alyssa graduated from Sonoma State University with a BS in Psychology and enjoys outdoor activities and traveling

Treasurer

Kevin R. Ball

Vice President Procurement, Fontainebleau Las Vegas

Kevin R. Ball joined Hospitality Charitable Foundation in February 2016 to help Clark County’s young people realize their educational dreams, which not may come true without the help of HCF. Mr. Ball is inspired to be a mentor by the fresh perspective and excitement that the new generation of hospitality leaders bring to the industry.

Mr. Ball has over thirty years’ experience in the procurement/supply chain field. From 1997 he has held senior level positions with American Casino & Entertainment Properties LLC, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, and Public Service Enterprise Group. In July of 2008, he joined American Casino & Entertainment Properties as the Corporate Vice President of Purchasing/Strategic Sourcing where he oversees and directs the development of the company’s procurement strategy, practices and procedures to form a strong management focus on improving the cost and quality of delivered material and services.

Mr. Ball is the co-founder and chair of the Las Vegas Purchasing Leadership Council. In 2013 he was published in “Inside Supply Management” magazine where he describes navigating the recent recession and how the purchasing department played a strategic role during that time.

Mr. Ball has two wonderful children, Austin and Cheyenne, and enjoys spending time with his granddaughter Sienna when he is not busy traveling, golfing, fishing, or scuba diving.

Executive Director

Melissa Arias

Melissa Arias joined Hospitality Charitable Foundation in September of 2013 as the new Executive Director. She is passionate about providing a platform for deserving young students to achieve their dreams through hard work and determination.

In her role, Mrs. Arias oversees all fundraising, scholarship activities and day-to-day operations for the organization while working collaboratively with the executive committee, board of directors and the students.

Mrs. Arias joined HCF after seven years with the American Cancer Society, most recently serving as the Director of Development and Distinguished Events. During her tenure, she was responsible for developing a scholarship program for students with childhood cancer, leading the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk and managing and executing the Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournament and Gala.

A graduate of Towson University in Towson, Md., she was the founder of Young Professionals Against Cancer, received a Certificate of Commendation from US Senator Harry Reid and was inducted into the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Nevada’s Hall of Fame in 2008. Ms. Arias was the recognized as Vegas Inc.’s esteemed Women to Watch 2016.

Mrs. Arias, her husband John, and daughters Savannah and Kinsley, recently welcomed their third child Sebastian to the family. She spends most of her spare time with her daughters, running 5ks, and participating in charity events.

Director of Operations

Christopher Alfieri

Christopher Alfieri joined Hospitality Charitable Foundation as Operations and Programs Manager in 2014. He is passionate about a career that is spent bettering the lives of Nevada’s young people and being an instrumental part of their development from the moment they enter the office.

Along with managing the HCF office, Mr. Alfieri oversees all activities pertaining to the Future Leaders of Hospitality Program including: recruitment, as UNLV liaison, student counseling, monitoring student progress, ensuring that students adhere to HCF requirements and standards, and scholarship disbursements. He has been named one of the top 100 men in Las Vegas by MyVegas magazine.

Originally from Long Island, NY, Mr. Alfieri is an avid traveler. He enjoys frequent travels back to the east coast to visit his family and niece Riley. He has lived in Las Vegas for more than a decade and enjoys spending his spare time experiencing all that Las Vegas has to offer.