Ernest Wooden Jr.

Ernest "Ernie" Wooden Jr. (born 1950) is an American hospitality executive who served as the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board from January 2013 to June 2020,

Early life and education Ernest Wooden Jr. was born in 1950 in Brooklyn, New York. He was raised in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood by his single mother, a Jehovah's Witness.

Career Wooden began his career in hospitality as a bellhop at the Sheraton Russell Hotel in New York City at the age of 16. He was general manager at Washington, D.C., Convention Center Caterers from 1984 to 1986 and regional director of operations at Omni Hotels from 1987 to 1996.

From 1996 to 1997, Wooden held the position of Florida area vice president at DoubleTree Hotel and Southeastern United States and Caribbean regional vice president at Promus Hotel between 1998 and 1999.

In January 2013, Wooden was appointed president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, where he served until June 2020. During his term, the board established offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. By 2016, visitor numbers had increased from 42.2 million to 45.6 million, contributing to local economic growth.

Personal life Wooden married JoAnn Watson in 1972, and they have one daughter. Wooden remarried in 1978 to Annice Kyle, and they have two daughters and a son together.

Awards and recognition 2015: Ebony's Power 100 2020: US Travel Hall of Leaders