Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/52019
Qualls-Brooks communicates department policies and initiatives to the tourism indus- try as well as other stakeholders. She coor- dinates various departmental activities, including the Governor's Conference on Tourism and is responsible for strengthen- ing collaborative relationships that engen- der a common purpose among the state's tourism industry partners. Additionally, Qualls-Brooks is responsible for the devel- opment of the department's education ini- tiative and works with members of the community and the academic profession in this role. As assistant commissioner, she super- vises the department's regional managers, who serve as liaisons between the depart- ment and the tourism industry. Qualls- Brooks, along with the managers, works to promote department services, market tourism activities and assist partners, which support and encourage the state's expand- ing tourism reach. She also serves as pub- lic information officer and coordinates communication efforts on behalf of the department with the Governor's Comm- unication staff. MICHAEL V. ROBERTS serves as chairman and CEO of the Roberts com- panies. Author of . In 2008, Roberts was inducted into Morehouse College's Renaissance Leaders Hall of Fame, and in 2007 was awarded the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Over the past 30 years, Roberts has amassed a $500 million business empire including television stations, downtown lofts, a his- toric theatre, the Roberts Hotel Group, the largest commercial office building outside of downtown St. Louis, stripmalls, and a resort community in the Bahamas. He is currently a member of President Obama's National Council on Entrepren- eurship and Innovation and the Federal Communica-tions Commission's Diversity Council. He serves or has served on the Board ofDirectors of the following organ- izations: International Council of Shopping Centers, Trustee; National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers – Chairman; and National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters. CHERYL RICHARDS serves as vice president, Strategic Alliances, overseeing the corporate partnership program and member sales and services. In this position, Richards' duties include setting the mem- bership sales and service standard for the bureau, overseeing the production of all member-based publications and maintaining the day-to-day opera- tions of the mem- ber services department. Richards, who has been with the bureau for 22 years, began her career in the communications department, where she handled local, national, regional and international trade media. She is a graduate of the University of North Texas, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism/Public Relations and a minor in Business Marketing. Her affiliations include Public Relations Society of America, Dallas/Fort Worth Area Tourism Council, Dallas Community Police Awards Committee, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Dallas Zoological Society Board member and University of North Texas Alumni Association Board Member. As part of the Dallas CVB "Better to Best" program, Richards' goal is to reach out to tradition- al and non-traditional companies and edu- cate them on the importance of travel industry in the North Texas area. She understands the correlation between col- laborating with the Dallas CVB and increased visibility for the company in the business world and is an advocate for the bureau and local business. JOHN ROLFE is a native Kansan, born and raised inWichita. SinceOctober 2001, he has served as president and CEOofGoWichita Convention &Visitors Bureau. Before joining the CVB, he was vice president of Economic Development for the Wichita Metro Chamber of Com-merce and served as deputy secretary of the Kansas Depar-tment of Com-merce for five years. His experience also includes more than 12 years in the hospitality indus- try, including serv- ing as Director of Finance and Adm-inis- tration at both the Wichita and San Jose (CA) Convention and Visitors Bureaus. He's currently serving on the DMAI (Destination Marketing Asso-ciation International) Board of Directors. Rolfe is a graduate of Wichita State University, holding a bachelor's degree in business administration and is involved with various civic organizations. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission, the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation, Travel Industry Association of Kansas (Immediate Past President), Governor's Council on Travel & Tourism, and Wichita Collegiate School. John also serves on the Mayor's Downtown Revitalization Steering Committee. He is married to Felicia Rolfe and they have two daughters. In his spare time, Rolfe enjoys spending time with his family, playing racquetball, dining out, and traveling. FRANCESHARRIS SMILEY,CTIS, TMP, a 30+ year career Alabama State Employee is the supervisor of the eight Alabama Welcome Centers and ser- ves as the coordi- nator of the State's Heritage Tourism Program. She has served as the assis- tant director of the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and prior to this appoint- ment she served on the Governor's Cabinet for Tourism in the Siegleman Administration. She was responsible for the state's group tour marketing initiatives for 22 years. She is the author of the nation's first . In 1994, she received the Phoenix Award from the American Society of Black Meetings & Tourism November/December 2011: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 53 A s r S n r a t dAt ue tg hi oe rs ia tn y a d S c e c t t t i o o e n G H na iis nN g o W a S ee aa ls to h n , G u ie d B lc a kH e r i t a g eT o u r i s m