Patrick O'Brien
President

Pat founded O’Brien International, Inc. in 1992, a firm that manages trade associations in the industrial diamond tooling industry. He also serves as the executive director of the Concrete Sawing & Drilling Association where his responsibilities include financial administration, meeting planning, training development and lobbying on behalf of members.

Prior to starting his career in the industrial diamond business, Pat also worked as a project manager at the Naval Air Test Center in Patuxent River, Maryland, where he directed the test and evaluation of Navy jet aircraft. He graduated from The Ohio State University with a BS in Engineering and received his MS in Management from the University of Southern California.

During the winter ski season, Pat can be found skiing black diamonds in Park City, Utah. He is also a licensed commercial and instrument pilot and enjoys traveling, food and wine. A native of New Hampshire and fan of all New England sports teams, Pat currently resides in St. Petersburg, Florida with his wife and business partner, Cherryl.

Cherryl O'Brien
Vice-President

Cherryl brings to Aqua Blue a wealth of experience in marketing and media even though her first career was in personnel and budget management for The Ohio State University. After receiving her MBA from the University of Colorado, she marketed products for Wendy’s International, (hamburgers) Players Theatre Columbus and Mershon Auditorium (performing arts) and Franklin University (higher education) in Columbus, Ohio. She joined her husband, Pat, at O’Brien International in 1993 where she writes publications, oversees marketing efforts and manages convention details.

Cherryl enjoys being a meeting planner because of the travel involved, the opportunities to meet new people and planning great events. She particularly likes food and beverage, décor and the booking of entertainment.

Her hobbies include après-skiing, reading and power walking. Cherryl was reared in Illinois and now splits her time between St. Petersburg, Florida and Park City, Utah with her husband, Pat.

Beverly Jones
National Sales Manager

Beverly brings over 20 years of experience to Aqua Blue. Her professional experience includes planning events for Merrill Lynch, L’Oreal, O’Brien International, Hello Florida! Inc and the American Shipbuilding Association. She has served as the food and beverage director for Pelican’s Nest Golf Club in Bonita Springs, Florida and the catering/conference service manager on the opening team at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Florida. Beverly received her BS in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from Florida State University.

Beverly’s interests include cooking, travelling and snorkeling. She splits her time between Bonita Springs, Florida, and the Big Island of Hawaii.

Erin O'Brien
National Sales Manager

Erin’s career path has taken her from the world of sports medicine to meeting and event planning. She received her BS in Athletic Training and Exercise Physiology from Ohio University, and her MS from the University of Florida in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. She has worked with multiple sports teams and athletes, including current and former members of the Florida Gators, Purdue Boilermakers, Cleveland Browns, Texas Rangers and San Diego Padres.

After graduation, Erin served as the PR/marketing director and Athletic Trainer for a physical therapy clinic. She now serves as marketing manager for O’Brien International. Erin became a meeting planner to meet new people, see new places and expand her professional knowledge.

Erin enjoys any outdoor activity, especially running, hiking, snow skiing, kayaking, skydiving and recreational sports. She is an avid sports fan and enjoys watching football, hockey and baseball. Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Erin currently resides in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Russell Hitchen
Operations Manager

Before joining the staff at Aqua Blue Meetings, Russell served as a project planner and technical writer for Chubb Integrated Technologies, as well as a software test engineer and test script writer for Amey Datel, Ltd. in the U.K. Russell now serves as the assistant editor for Concrete Openings magazine, published by O'Brien International. He attended Edge Hill University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, in English Language and Literature and Art and Design. Russell says the best part of his job is "the opportunity to liaise with people all across North America and beyond."

Russell enjoys playing and watching sports, especially soccer and rugby, training at the gym, attending music events and socializing with friends. Originally from Wigan, U.K., Russell and his wife now reside in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Aimee Pavlovich
Event Manager

Aimee’s professional experiences before joining Aqua Blue include ten years working at Zebra Color, Inc. as a digital film processor and serving as the advertising stylist and merchandising coordinator for Dillard’s. Since 2002, Aimee has been the membership and training coordinator for O’Brien International. She attended the Colorado Institute of Art, majoring in Photography.

What Aimee enjoys most about being a meeting planner is interacting with clients on a daily basis and finding creative ways to solve problems. Outside of work, she enjoys photography, riding her bike, scuba diving and traveling. A native Floridian, Aimee currently lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with her husband and son.