Executive Committee

President

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.

Vice President

Tom Gorball

Chairwoman

Colleen Birch

Chairwoman of the Board, Hospitality Charitable Foundation

Colleen Birch, Chairwoman of the Board at Hospitality Charitable Foundation, stands at the upper echelons of the hospitality industry, her journey as inspiring as it is impressive. With over 27 years of experience in the field, Colleen's ascent to leadership positions has been marked by dedication, resilience, and a commitment to excellence.

Before opening the Fontainebleau, a monumental task she undertook with unwavering determination, as COO, Colleen distinguished herself as the Senior Vice President of Revenue Optimization at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the resort's pricing strategies and customer relationship management initiatives.

Due to her diligent work ethic, loyalty to her teams and commitment to industry excellence, Birch has been recognized as one of Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International’s ” Revenue Management Professionals of the Year” in 2015 as well as one of HSMAI’s “Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing and Revenue Optimization” in 2016. In 2018, Birch was named a, “Woman to Watch” by Vegas Inc. Most recently in 2019, UNLV’s Harrah College of Hospitality awarded Birch with “Alumna of the Year.”

Ms. Birch is actively involved in the community. She supports a number of nonprofit organizations and holds the role of former Chairwoman for Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, a program that provides a series of business, economic and life skills programs to enhance the education of young people. Birch joined the Hospitality Charitable Foundation Board of Directors in the fall of 2019 and assumed the Chairperson role of the board the following year. As chairwoman of the board, she is 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. HCF provides scholarships and mentorship for gifted, but often financially underprivileged students.

Birch holds a degree in hotel administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She gives back to the alma mater that means so much to her by participating in the UNLV Mentor Program, returning to campus regularly to speak to junior and senior level classes about her experience. She also serves as a mentor within the resort, offering insight into the industry she’s built her life around. Above all, she is a proud mother to two teens, Gavin and Lily."

In every aspect of her life, Colleen Birch embodies integrity, leadership, and compassion. She continues to inspire those around her with her unwavering dedication to excellence and her commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

Treasurer

Robert Chiti

Director of Hotel & Guest Relations, TAO Group Las Vegas

Mr. Chiti, a UNLV graduate brings 18 years of hospitality experience and is currently entrusted with the responsibility of liaising between TAO Group and Sands Corporation assisting with request for Tao & Lavo restaurant, Tao Beach Dayclub and Tao Nightclub. Mr. Chiti is looking forward to knowing the impact the funds he raises will have on young people.

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.

Secretary

Marti B. Winer

Brand President, Casa Bonita Denver

Marti B. Winer joined Casa Bonita Denver in August 2023 to lead the reinvention of this cultural icon and historic landmark in Colorado. Under Marti’s leadership, Casa Bonita is focusing on maintaining the nostalgia associated with its 1970s roots, while bringing innovation and creativity to this exotic dining and entertainment experience.

Marti has a passion for hospitality and a firm belief that the strength of a brand is rooted in its people. She fosters engagement through transparent communications and promoting a culture of inclusivity. She also believes that by honoring the legacy of the brand, while remaining focused on continuous operational improvement, Casa Bonita will thrive as a category-defining concept and gain global recognition as a one-of-a-kind destination.

An authentic and energetic leader, Marti has a proven track record of success in utilizing, communications, events, marketing and analytics in corporate and entrepreneurial environments. She’s held executive leadership roles at MGM Resorts International and Wyndham Hotel Group, as well as produced events for industries ranging from finance and pharma to food service and franchising.

Marti has a BA and Economics and Political Science from Drew University, Madison, NJ, an MBA from Rutgers University and – just for fun – a Masters of Letters from Drew University having completed a thesis on the role of hospitality in 20^th century literature.