Steven J. McGivern
Founder & CEO
Steve has been resident of greater Orlando for over 25 years now, having moved from the Syracuse, NY in 1986. He has extensive and verifiable experience in both sales and marketing with over 23 years of documented achievement managing world-class, travel and hospitality sales organizations for the largest and most successful hospitality leaders in the world.
Steve has held numerous senior executive level management positions in the hospitality industry, including:
The Holiday Inn Vacation Club, Sheraton's Starwood Resorts and as Sr. Director of Vacation Sales at Hilton Grand Vacations Company's corporate headquarters in Orlando, FL.
Steve is a double degreed executive, with an AA Degree in Humanities from Onondaga Community College of Syracuse, NY, and a BA in Communication Studies from the celebrated State University of New York at Oswego.
A board of his professors, personally selected Steve to represent the State University of New York in its International Broadcasting Overseas Program based in London and Paris. This included a minor internship with the BBC - British Broadcasting Center Headquarters in London, and a study of French Television and Radio, specifically Canal Plus Studios.
While in London, Steve met and interviewed The Rolling Stones in a one on one basis, at their private table at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Soho, London, and had the honor of meeting Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales, Lady Diana, at the London Royal World Movie Premiere of Back to the Future.
Steven and Sharon McGivern are the very proud parents of Ian Michael McGivern, currently 10 yrs. old, who was diagnosed with Classical Autism (PDD NOS - Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified) at the tender age of two and a half.
Kenneth A. Berthiaume
Director of Marketing
Ken is an experienced leader in sales management, with over 20 years of senior management experience with world class hotels and resort chains.
As Director of Marketing of the American Autism Alliance, he is dedicated to creating, marketing and delivering promotions to raise community awareness and create funds for vital autism research and education.
Marketing Managers / Chief Photographer
Michael & Rachelle Harman
Mike and his wife, Rachelle, are both natives of Central Florida, and have a beautiful 11 year old son named Bradley. In addition to his last two years of tireless service with the American Autism Alliance, Mike is the owner / operator of the very successful: Executive Painting Company for the past five (5) years. Mike & Steve became fast friends, when both worked closely for the Sheraton Hotels Worldwide. Mike brings over 16 years of sales, marketing and creative development to the organization. He was foundational in the co-creation, implementation and on-going success of "The Heroes For Autism" Campaign. We're glad Mike is part of the team, and his creativity and boundless energy are indeed a welcome asset to the entire team.
Arthur Aldea
Marketing Manager
Arthur Aldea is a top-flight sales and marketing leader who served with Office Depot as a Business to Business Sales Rep. for over 12 years.
With such a strong record of verifiable sales skills, Art was convinced to join Steve's Leadership Team at Hilton Grand Vacation Headquarters in Orlando, as it's Corporate Sales Trainer and New Talent Development Specialist. Arthur has also worked with Steve in other key leadership positions within other vacation industry leaders headquartered in Orlando, FL. After excelling in Orlando's booming vacation ownership industry for over eight years, Arthur secured a senior management position in the real estate industry in mergers and acquisitions.
Arthur is bilingual: English - Spanish, and his innovative marketing concepts and energetic leadership style are indeed an essential part to the overall and continued success of "The Alliance".
Arthur and his wife, Julie, are already making travel plans for their 25th Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations to you both!
Lara McIvor
Marketing Co-ordinator
In addition to her studies at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, NYC, and The University of Maryland, Lara will graduate in Spring 2012 with her B.A. Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida.
Michelle Morse
Senior Marketing Specialist
Morse served as President of one of Central Floridaís most successful DR advertising agencies and now owns her own DR marketing business. Her 20 years of hands-on experience includes strategic planning, advertising creative development, media buying, newsprint placement, direct mail production, mail list selection, and infomercial and commercial production. While her focus has primarily been in the seminar and franchise expansion industries, she is very excited to offer her expertise to American Autism Alliance.
Cynthia Cataldo
Accounting
The American Autism Alliance is indeed very fortunate to have: Cynthia Cataldo, a 17 yr. resident of Central Florida, serving the organization as a financial assistant and bookkeeper.
Cynthia, originally of Hicksville, NY, is a wife, mother of two wonderful teenage children, and currently works as a seasoned HR Department Head, Payroll Administrator and Bookkeeper for a major Central FL marketing firm. Cynthia worked for years in Manhattan’s Broadway Theater District in the hospitality industry.
As a personal assistant to major nightclub owners and restaurateurs in Manhattan, Cynthia had the opportunity to assist many world renowned film, television, theater and sports luminaries amongst them:
Paul Newman: actor, director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, political activists, and founder of "Newman's Own" whose royalties to date have exceeded 300 Million in donations to literally thousands of charities since 1982.
Film and Broadway actors: Matthew Broderick. The incomparable: Mickey Rooney, Angela Lansbury, Eartha Kitt, Soccer great: Pele, and her long time, personal friend, "The 8th Wonder of The World": Andre The Giant.
Cynthia worked many times with the 7'4", 520 lb. Andre, who amongst his unprecedented worldwide status as a wrestling superstar, will forever be re-introduced the world over, as: Ferrick The Giant, in Rob Reiner's, now immortal film classic: The Princess Bride.
We are very lucky and appreciative to have Cynthia on-board.
