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LAURIE NELSON-CHOICE JOINS VISIT BALTIMORE AS DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY AND NATIONAL SALES A graduate of Ohio University, Laurie Nelson-Choice will lead diversity and religious conven- tion sales efforts for Baltimore in this important market. Nelson-Choice brings more than 16 years of convention bureau experience to Visit Baltimore. Nelson-Choice spent more than 10 years with Visit Milwaukee, first as director of multicultur- al development, and, most recently, as director of eastern regional sales in the bureau’s Washington, D.C., office. Earlier in her career, Nelson-Choice spent five years with Experience Columbus in its sales department, both in Columbus and the bureau’s Washington, D.C. office. “We are excited to have Laurie join our sales team,” said Amy Calvert, Visit Baltimore vice president, sales and services. “Her experience and contacts within the diversity and religious mar- kets will be a true asset to Baltimore, helping to bring additional business to the city.” Nelson-Choice is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives, the Association of Meeting Professionals, Meeting Professionals International, the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners and the Professional Convention Management Association. She’s also the co-founder of the Network of Latino Meeting Planners and Just Because, a networking group for meeting planners of color in the Washington, D.C., market. Nelson-Choice can be reached at (800) 343-3468. ROY JAY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF BLACK LAW ENFORCEMENT EXECUTIVES In a vote by local members of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, Portland business entrepreneur Roy Jay was recently elected president of the local chapter of NOBLE. Jay will to hold the position for three years and will represent Portland at the national confer- ence held in Baltimore in July. Jay has been a long time member of the NOBLE local chapter national organization since he was instrumental in bringing the national conference to Portland, Oregon over 10 years ago. Jay is best known in law enforcement circles for his ongoing community and court room work through Project Clean Slate, which is in tandem with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s office, Court Judges, administrators and numerous law enforcement and governmental agencies. He has been a positive force not just within our local NOBLE chapter, but also throughout the State and nation says, Vera Pool of the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and former local NOBLE chapter president. Jay has been recently appointed to serve on a special advisory committee to newly elected County Sheriff, Dan Staton, effec- tive July 1, 2010. “Roy, who has been the driving force behind Project Clean Slate also, was instrumental in the recent approval by Multnomah County to construct a new court house in East Multnomah County at an estimated cost of over $14 million. Roy has a unique ability of communicating and connecting with some of the area’s most diverse population. “I’ve seen him in action”, says colleague Joe Nunn, a former teacher for 32 years in the Portland school district. He has talked to individuals who have been on the run from the law for five years and has convinced them to surrender. In some cases, he has had some who have paid their own airfare to fly all the way back to Portland for an opportunity to change their lives. The members of the Portland chapter of NOBLE voted in favor of their long time colleague and member because they feel that he has the ability to raise the visibility of the organization to a new height both locally and nationally. He has been called upon by the national office to conduct tutorials and training at the organization’s national chief’s symposium and other events for the past several years. The native of Portland, Oregon holds many titles, wears multiple hats. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden has described him as the “bionic man”, handling multiple tasks, leaderships and accomplishments all at one time. He was instrumental in helping Portland secure the national NOBLE convention several years ago. In his other profession in the convention and tourism indus- try, he will be making efforts for NOBLE regional and national conferences to return to Portland. Jay’s new position will enable the organization to also gather local, regional and national support for the local chapter and will help educate and empower current officers of color as well as potential future candidates. He is a long time member of both the local chapter of NOBLE as well as the national organization. He is a member of the Oregon Association of Sheriffs and also serves on candidates review panels for the Portland Police Department. Jay and other newly elected officers were sworn in by Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Adrienne Nelson at the President’s Gala & Scholarship Fundraiser held , at Sheraton Airport Hotel. Jay can be contacted at (503) 231-2571. 6 Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com NEWSMAKERS