Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1526693
include placement on the "Top 100 Leaders in Hospitality" list by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Georgia Trend's "500 Most Influential Leaders," and she was recently inducted into the Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc. She has served on various boards and commit- tees, including chairperson of the ATL Airport District CVB board of directors, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau board of directors and served on the Board of Ethics for Fulton County for eight years. MERCEDES MILLER NAMED NEW PRESIDENT OF THE ATL AIRPORT DISTRICT CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Former Executive Director of Gateway Center Campus Will SucceedCookie Smoak, Leading the Destination Marketing Organization into Next Phase of Growth The ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), the destination marketing organization for the cities of College Park, Hapeville and Union City, recently announced that Mercedes Miller will succeed Cookie Smoak as its new president upon Smoak's September 30 retirement. A well- known local community leader and hospitality industry veteran, Miller most recently served as executive director for Gateway Center Campus, which encompasses the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC), Gateway Center Arena and the Historic College Park Golf Course. "I am honored to have the opportunity to lead operations for the ATL Airport District, a destination I am extremely passionate about," said Miller. "This is not the beginning of my relationship with the ATL Airport District team – I was born and raised on Atlanta's Southside and my experience working with the City of College Park and leading the Gateway Center Campus gives me a deep apprecia- tion for, and understanding of, the wonderful communities of College Park, Hapeville and Union City. I am eager to continue my work here in this new role, engaging with the District team on a new level, working with our network of amazing partners and following in Cookie's footsteps." Miller brings nearly 30 years of hospitality industry experience to the ATL Airport District leadership team. She has dedicated much of that time to the GICC, starting there as a marketing analyst in 1995 and rising the ranks to executive director in 2011. Through her lead- ership, the Gateway Center Campus expanded beyond its on-site hotels and the GICC, with the construction of Gateway Center Arena, which opened in 2019. She has played an integral role in the campus expansion, leveraging her passion for the community, emphasis on relationship-building and strategic thinking. As a result of Miller's work in the area, she was asked to step in as interim city manager for the City of College Park during the COVID-19 pan- demic. Throughout her career, Miller has been recognized for her leader- ship style and knowledge of the industry. Her many accolades N E W S M A K E R S 8 B M & T ••• September/October 2024 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com DEBORAH OMOWALE JARMON SERVES AS CEO, SAN ANTONIO AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY ARCHIVE AND MUSEUM (SAAACAM) A retired civil servant with a 27 year career in the world of air traffic con- trol, Deborah relocated to San Antonio to be a "close-by" grandmother teaching them the impor- tance of their legacy. Opening a bed and break- fast in the King William area of San Antonio, named for the family matriarch, "Eva's Escape at the Gardenia Inn" immersed her family in Deborah's personal mis- sion of love and service for family and community. Upon her family relocating to Atlanta, Deborah realized the commit- ment of the bed and breakfast would prevent her from spending that quality time with those grandbabies. Selling the property, Deborah turned to community advocacy with a mission to connect the African American community to each other, opportunities, and our history. Her work as the CEO/Director of the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum, a board member of The Classic Theatre of San Antonio and Visit San Antonio along with serving on the City of San Antonio's Airport Advisory Commission provides an oppor- tunity to carry out her personal mission.