Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay the highlight of 2010 Western Regional Presidents Council Meeting

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay made an appearance at the 2010 Western Regional Presidents Council Meeting (PCM) on August 20-22.  Well, sort of.

As part of every PCM, an annual weekend gathering of chapter leaders from the West Region to share and discuss best practices of running an ISACA chapter, the host chapter always entertains PCM attendees on Saturday night by providing a tour of the host chapter’s city, showing off that city’s unique characteristics. Hosted by the Los Angeles chapter, the Saturday night entertainment this year was a bus tour of Hollywood and Beverly Hills, with sightseeing stops on Hollywood Boulevard at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and on Rodeo Drive.

Chapter Secretary Heather Ouellette presents best practices on operating monthly education events to other chapter leaders at the 2010 Western PCM in Los Angeles

Shortly after the tour bus stopped on North Rodeo Drive near Wilshire Boulevard to drop off the group, many of whom then walked to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel at the end of the T-intersection of Rodeo and Wilshire for a cocktail, Chef Ramsay, in walking shorts, sneakers and motorcycle helmet in hand, stepped out of Tiffany & Co. and into the path of the Western Regional PCM group. Many of the group were either in awe or scared to outwardly show recognition of the renowned chef, who probably is better known now for his volatility on television shows Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares than for his cooking, but Debbie Lew, a Director of the Los Angeles chapter, said she told him she enjoyed his shows and he responded with a simple, “Thanks.” It was a lot better than getting yelled at by the chef, if you’ve ever watched his shows.

The PCM wasn’t all fun and games. Attended by chapter leaders across the West Region, including Canadian chapters, the event provided a forum for participants to dialogue openly about chapter operational matters such as strategic planning, obtaining sponsoring funding, certification and monthly education events. Brian Frankel, ISACA International Chapter Relations Coordinator responsible for the West Region chapters, also attended the PCM, provided the group with updates from International and answered questions from the group relating to strategic initiatives and direction from ISACA International.

Attendees of the 2010 Western PCM in Los Angeles

The San Francisco chapter was represented at the PCM by chapter Secretary Heather Ouellette, Director and Volunteer Chair Steven Majourau, Director and former chapter Treasurer Tim Stapleton and the chapter President. The chapter’s contribution to the discussions was on the topic of monthly education events, a process and task the San Francisco chapter can proudly say it does consistently and successfully. Secretary Ouellette, who previously served two terms as the Education Program Co-Chair and knowledgeable on the matter, delivered the presentation and facilitated the topic discussion among the chapter leaders. She did a marvelous job representing the San Francisco chapter.