Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1483470
B M & T ••• November/December 2022 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 10 N E W S M A K E R S ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER ANNOUNCES ERIC BLANC AS NEW DEPUTY DIRECTOR The Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) is pleased to announce the promotion of Eric Blanc, Sr., CMP to Deputy Director. In his new role, Blanc will over- see the OCCC's Sales, Marketing, Event Management and Exhibitor Services divisions. Blanc became a part of the OCCC family in 2019, when he was hired as the Assistant Director of Sales. In February 2020, he was promoted to Senior Director of Sales. Prior to joining the OCCC's Sales Division, Blanc was the Director of Sales, Marketing and Convention Services for the Tampa Convention Center, where he spent 15 years of his career. Blanc's background spans across various top organizations in the industry, including The Freeman Companies and GES Expositions, where he was a National Sales Manager for both companies. "I am honored to take on the role of Deputy Director would be an understatement," said Blanc. "I am eager to lead our team forward, maintaining a highly visible presence in the convention industry and within Orange County to secure continued convention group bookings well into the future." Blanc graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business – Marketing, and holds a certificate from the IAAM Public Assembly Facility Management School at Oglebay. With the trust and confidence of its legacy and first-time clients and its dedication to excellence, the OCCC has been able to lead the industry forward and make a successful comeback. The Center continues to do Better Than Usual and is positioned for a strong close to its fiscal year. LOAR PLLC HIRES MIKEYIA DAWKINS TO RUN DALLAS OFFICE Law Firm Continues to Add Legal Talent to Grow Legal and Community Impact LOAR PLLC is a fast-growing, woman-owned, personal injury law firm with offices in Austin, Waco, and Dallas/Fort Worth. The firm, which recently announced a $250,000 annual scholarship program, has been looking for top legal talent that shares its passion for investing in the community. Mikeyia Dawkins is an experienced litigator and trial attor- ney representing clients in civil disputes. Mikeyia began her career as an Assistant District Attorney where she built significant liti- gation experience. Mikeyia switched from criminal to civil and spent the next 5 years working on personal injury cases on the defense side, including working for Farmers Insurance, where she handled more than 1,000 personal injury cases, and successfully first-chaired more than 35 jury trials. While Mikeyia excels in the courtroom, she understands that trial is not the only way to resolve an issue for her clients, and she also uses her extensive experience to negotiate settlements when it is beneficial to her clients. Mikeyia has consistently been a leader in her community. She is a member of the JL Turner African American Lawyers Association, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Mikeyia is an advocate for justice and enjoys volunteer- ing in her community individually and with associated organ- izations, where she is always advocating for those who are unable to do so for themselves. Mikeyia holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of North Texas, Dual Masters of Laws in Health Law and Intellectual Property & Informational Law, and a Juris