Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/22095
historic Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. TheAuthority also operates the non-military functions of the District of Columbia Armory and serves as owner/landlord of Nationals Park. As president and CEO, O’Dell oversees the Authority’s two lines of business: Convention Center Operations and Sports, Entertain- ment and Special Events. His pri- mary responsibilities include over- sight of the development and promotion of hospitality, ath- letic, entertainment and cultural events that generate eco- nomic impact and create community benefits for the District of Columbia. Related to the convention center operations, O’Dell was also responsible for the Authority’s development efforts, having led negotiations with the selected private developer in the public-private partner- ship for the 1,175-room Washington Marriott Marquis hotel. R. DONAHUE PEEBLES, recognized as one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the nation, is the owner ofThe Peebles Corporaion, the country’s largest African- American real estate development company with a $4 billion devel- opment portfolio of luxury hotels, high-rise residential and Class A commercial properties and devel- opments inWashington,D.C., San Francisco, Las Vegas and Miami Beach. The 50 year old, who has been featured in numerous publications and appears regularly on CNN, CNBC and FOX, is also a top-selling author. His first book, The Peebles Principles, distills the lessons he learned on the road to building his successful company and personal for- tune.His first-person accounts of hismost intriguing deals illustrate the principles that guideMr. Peebles in all of his transactions. His second book, The Peebles Path to Real Estate Wealth, released in September 2008, outlines the fundamental tools for real estate investing and details how to make money in any market. Peebles currently serves on the National Finance Committee of President Barack Obama. Dr. PHYLLIS QUALLS-BROOKS serves as assistant commission- er for community and industry relations for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. She joined the department in the Spring of 2004 as assistant commissioner ofmarketing andmoved to her current position in 2005. In her role, Qualls-Brooks communicates department policies and initiatives to the tourism industry as well as other stakeholders. She coordinates various departmental 62 activities, including the Governor’s Conference on Tourism and is responsible for strengthening col- laborative relationships that engen- der a common purpose among the state’s tourism industry partners. Additionally, Qualls-Brooks is responsible for the development of the department’s education initia- tive and works with members of the community and the academic pro- fession in this role. As assistant commissioner, she supervises the depart- ment’s regional managers, who serve as liaisons between the department 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 expanding tourism reach. She also serves as public information officer and coordinates communication efforts on behalf of the department with the Governor’s Communication staff. CHERYL RICHARDS serves as vice president, Strategic Alliances, overseeing the corporate partner- ship program and member sales and services. In this position, Richards’ duties include setting the membership sales and service standard for the bureau, oversee- ing the production of allmember- based publications and maintain- ing the day-to-day operations of the member services department. Richards, who has been with the bureau for 21 years, began her career in the communica- tions 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 TexasAlumniAssociation Board Member.As part of the Dallas CVB “Better to Best” program, Richards’ goal is to reach out to traditional and non-traditional com- panies and educate them on the importance of travel industry in the NorthTexas area. She understands the cor- relation between collaborating with the Dallas CVB and increased visibility for the company in the business world and is an advocate for the bureau and local business. MICHAEL V. ROBERTS serves as chairman and CEO of the Roberts companies. Author of Action Has No Season, Strategies and Secrets to GainingWealth and Authority. In Black Meetings & Tourism November/December 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com