Leading the Way: Special General Managers Announcement

At Smart City Networks, growth and adaptability are key components of our success. This quarter, we are excited to celebrate the new roles taken on by our talented General Managers. Mitch Hughes moves from the Tampa Convention Center to lead operations at the Orange County Convention Center, while Bill Duke, formerly with the Greater Columbus Convention Center, steps into Mitch’s previous role in Tampa, while Alexia Puckett is our new Interim General Manager at Columbus.

SCN GM New

It is also with great pleasure that we announce Guillermo Huerta‘s promotion to the position of General Manager at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. Guillermo’s dedication to our company has been unwavering, and his two decades of service, which he will celebrate in January 2025, exemplify his commitment and expertise in our industry.

David Bachler, after over a decade at the Hawai’i Convention Center, now leads the team at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento. His transition marks the start of a new chapter, one he reflects on with deep appreciation and personal insight. When asked to share his thoughts on his move, David provided a lovely letter, which you can read in full below.

Echoes of Songs Across the Water

A Hawaiian storyteller once told me, “Hawaii, the ʻĀina (the land), has a say in how long you are blessed to be here. Most certainly, you are called here for a reason.” I know that I will, likely, spend the rest of my life understanding the significance of my time there and what the reason was.

After 16-years on Oahu and 11-years at the Hawaii Convention Center, leaving was a daunting consideration to make. Hawaii became my home in unsuspecting ways, and indeed, it was scary at times; wondering if I was making the right decision. It may sound strange, but the mana (the life-force) will always be with me. “Living with Aloha”, isn’t just a catchy tagline, it is a lifelong discipline; one that I am humbled to continue to cultivate until the end-of-my-days.


Lo-and-behold, at the end of a 2500-mile journey across the ocean, I have been met with warmth welcome in Sacramento. I was born and raised in Snohomish Valley, WA (a logging and agricultural region of the northwest). In this way, much of Sacramento feels very familiar to me. Many have told me, “Sacramento is the biggest small-town you’ll ever know.” I love that very much.


Everyone knows everyone here; they are personable and accessible. Seemingly, without affectation. They look you in the eyes when they shake your hand, as some might say.


The local team, Esteban Wences (Technician) and J’Quandrei Ellis (Event Coordinator), are top notch individuals who have learned their craft in a very short time. I am grateful to be working with them and endeavor to be mindful in considering how I can best be of service to such a wonderful team.


The General Manager of the SAFE Union Convention Center, Matthew Voreyer, is a master of his craft, who possesses immense institutional knowledge and awareness. He has curated an incredible team here, and I am very humbled, again, in the learning of how to best contribute to this already thriving community.  


There is a substrate of strength-through-unity here, an awareness and history built upon helping one another, a familiar song that speaks to the heart of Hawaiian culture. I get emotional in the consideration that – perhaps, my being in Sacramento is an extension, an echo, an expansion (if you will) of the song Hawaii gave to me. I am excited to see how I can be of use here.


Mahalo Nui Loa, to the team at Smart City Networks, who made this opportunity possible for me.

-David Bachler

Overall, these moves reflect Smart City Networks’ commitment to growth and innovation as we continue to provide unparalleled telecommunications services nationwide. We are excited about the future of Smart City and all our General Managers will accomplish!

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