Mobley Leaves Chicago After 11 Years

Thomas M. Mobley Jr. is leaving his position as general manager of Chicago's McCormick Place to head the new convention center in Washington, D.C. He is expected to assume his new post in mid-December.

Mobley was selected following a lengthy search by a subcommittee of the Washington Convention Center Authority Board of Directors. Kumiki Gibson, who headed the subcommittee, said in a statement, "W now have arguably the best manager in the industry. Tom will help ensure that our operations and customer service are second to none."

The new Washington D.C. Convention Center, with 725,000 square feet of exhibit space, celebrated its grand opening just last March.

To those who thought there was nowhere left to go after running the largest convention center in North America, Mobley said, "I'm a sucker for a challenge. I like the process of opening buildings. Washington, D.C., is a first-class building in a first-class market. It's never been an issue of size, but of quality for me."

Mobley is something of an institution in the Chicago convention and exhibition business. During his 11-year tenure at McCormick Place, he has overseen the construction of the South Building, which opened in December 1996 adding 840,000 square feet of exhibition space; the renovation of Lakeside Center; and the start of plans to construct the West Building, which will add another 500,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space.

Mobley added he is happy to be returning to the D.C. area, having lived in Baltimore for 20 years and maintained many friends and family members there.

David Causton, assistant general manager of McCormick Place since 1999, will take over as acting general manager of McCormick Place. For the previous five years, he worked in upper-level management of Navy Pier, the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority's other facility. Before that, he was director of sales and services at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Causton explained, "When I was in Baltimore, Tom encouraged me to come to Navy Pier because they were going through a major redevelopment. It was always part of the master plan that I would come on board to help with the construction of the West Building. I've been involved in those discussions with Tom from the beginning."

The MPEA, the Chicago Convention & Tourism Board and McCormick Place officials have not yet decided on a plan for replacing Mobley, Causton added, although he does believe he's in the running for the position. "They'll make that decision when it's appropriate," he said. "For now, I've just been reaching out to our customers, most of whom I already work with, and reassuring them that there will be continuity."

Like many who have worked with Mobley, Causton described him as a mentor and longtime friend. Leticia Peralta Davis, MPEA CEO, said Mobley's ability to share his knowledge and foster the growth of those around him will help in the transition to new leadership. "Our team at McCormick Place is ready to build upon the high standard of excellence that Tom helped us achieve," she stated.