National Search Concludes with Selection of Accomplished Internal Candidate and Longtime San Diego Convention Center Leader
Photo courtesy San Diego Convention Center
The San Diego Convention Center Corporation Board of Directors has appointed Mardeen Mattix as President & Chief Executive Officer on June 24, 2026, following a comprehensive national executive search. Mattix succeeds Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, who is retiring after ten years in the role.
Mattix, who most recently served as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, was selected from a highly competitive candidate pool and emerged as the Board’s choice after an extensive search process that attracted accomplished leaders from across the convention center, tourism, hospitality, and venue management industries.
“Mardeen’s depth of experience, strategic mindset, and demonstrated leadership in our organization and community made her the clear choice to lead us forward,” said the Corporation’s Board Chair Will Rodriguez-Kennedy. “She has played a critical role in the Convention Center’s success for nearly three decades, and we are confident in her ability to lead with clarity, stability, and vision for years to come.”
The executive search was led by Rodriguez-Kennedy and conducted by SearchWide Global under the leadership of Mark Gnatovic, President of Retained Search. The process was designed to identify the strongest leadership talent from across the country while ensuring a fair, transparent, and comprehensive evaluation.
A San Diego County resident and respected tourism industry leader, Mattix’s appointment builds on her 28-year career with the Convention Center. Since joining the organization in 1998, she has advanced through leadership roles in Event Management, Sales, Accounting, Finance, and Executive Administration, steadily rising through the ranks while developing a comprehensive understanding of the organization’s operations, stakeholders, workforce, governance structure, and economic impact.
The Board’s decision reflects confidence that a leader who helped build the organization’s success is uniquely positioned to guide its future. As both a seasoned executive and longtime member of the Convention Center team, Mattix brings a rare combination of institutional knowledge, operational expertise, financial acumen, and deep connections to the San Diego community.
In her most recent role as Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Mattix provided leadership across financial strategy, organizational performance, governance, labor relations, capital planning, risk management, and daily business operations. Throughout her tenure, she has helped guide the Convention Center through some of its most pivotal moments, including the transformation of the facility into an emergency shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic, post-pandemic recovery efforts, and the development of business strategies that have strengthened the Convention Center’s role as one of San Diego’s most important economic engines.
Under Mattix’s leadership, the Convention Center has continued to generate significant economic benefits for the region. In fiscal year 2025, the organization generated an estimated $1.57 billion in regional economic impact, supporting local jobs, businesses, visitor spending, and tax revenues while reinforcing San Diego’s position as a premier meetings and conventions destination.
“I am honored by the Board’s confidence and excited for the opportunity to lead this remarkable organization and team” said Mattix. “For nearly 28 years, I have had the privilege of working alongside dedicated employees, industry partners, clients, community leaders, and Board members who share a commitment to San Diego’s success. I look forward to building on our strong foundation, supporting our talented team, and further strengthening the economic and community benefits we generate for our region.”
Mattix holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Western Washington University. Her leadership has been recognized throughout the industry, including being named the San Diego Business Journal’s 2023 CFO of the Year in the nonprofit category and being honored by Women in Tourism and Hospitality for her leadership and innovation.
