Polynesian Cultural Center Announces Two Staff Promotions and New Addition
Laie, Hawaii – May 16, 2013 – The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) announced today two promotions and a new staff addition. Leilua Logoitino “Logo” Vaovai Apelu has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Raymond K. Magalei has been promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing. A new staff addition is Eric E. Workman, who joins PCC as its new Executive Vice President of Business Development and Marketing.
As the newly appointed COO, Leilua Logoitino “Logo” Vaovai Apelu will be responsible for managing physical facilities of the PCC campus, future capital improvement projects, the food and beverage department, and human resources. He will also oversee both small- and large-scale cultural presentations that take place during events. He brings over 29 years of related experience to his new position, and previously served as the Center’s Vice President of Operations. Apelu holds his B.A. from Brigham Young University-Hawaii (BYUH) and his master’s in education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Raymond Magalei, who most recently served as PCC’s Director of Marketing, brings over 20 years of experience to his new position as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He will have complete oversight of all sales and marketing efforts at the PCC. Prior to his recent promotion, Magalei was responsible for the creation and oversight of some of the PCC’s most popular events, such as the Haunted Lagoon. He holds a B.A. from BYUH and began his career at the PCC as a cultural dancer and guide.
As the PCC’s new Executive Vice President of Business Development and Marketing, Eric Workman is returning to oversee PCC’s marketing and sales efforts, both internally and externally. He will be responsible for developing and executing core marketing and growth strategies used by the Center. In addition, he will also play a key role in further building the relationship between the Center and BYUH campus, expanding the capacity of students that it can employ as the demand for jobs continues to grow. Prior to his appointment, Workman served as the Marketing Innovation Leader for the Dow Chemical Company and brings extensive experience in global consumer markets to his new position. Workman had previously been with PCC, working part-time while a student at BYUH and, upon graduation, as Museum Stores Manager. He subsequently moved to Japan for three years where he started a business in support of American and European mail order companies entering Japan. He then returned to PCC as Senior Manager leading the Center’s retail sales and marketing efforts. He graduated from BYUH with a bachelor’s degree in business and organizational development, and from BYU-Marriot School with a MBA.
Celebrating 50 years in 2013, the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) was founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, and has entertained more than 37 million visitors, while preserving and portraying the culture, arts and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to nearly 18,000 young people from more than 70 different countries while they attend Brigham Young University-Hawaii. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC’s revenue is used for daily operations and to support education.