Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/3108
Black Meetings & Tourism April/May 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 10 Lewis H. Dawley III has been appointed the general manager of the SMG man- aged Albuquerque Convention Center. Dawley comes to the Albuquerque Convention Center from the Hampton Roads Convention Center. A 20+ year vet- eran of the convention center industry, Dawley also serves as senior vice president of Convention Center Operations and Business Development for SMG. Prior to joining SMG he was general manager and CEO of the Washington Convention Center Authority, Washington D.C. Dawley is one of a handful of industry experts to manage the planning, construction and grand opening of four convention centers. In his spare time, Dawley enjoys golfing and sailing. He can be reached at (505) 768- 3868. N E W S M A K E R S DAWLEY TAKES SMG POST IN ALBUQUERQUE Continuing his commitment to ensuring that federal economic stimulus funds are utilized with the utmost transparency and accountability in California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently created the first-in-the-nation position of Inspector General to act as watchdog over the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds as they are dispersed in California and named Los Angeles City Controller Laura Chick to this position. "I am proud to announce this first-in-the-nation position that will make sure the funds we receive from the Recovery Act are used with accountability and trans- parency to stimulate our economy and create jobs," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "Laura's impressive track record as a watchdog and public servant makes her uniquely qualified to ensure this funding is used as it was intended – to create jobs and help our state through this difficult economic time." Chick currently serves as Los Angeles City Controller, a citywide elected position in which she is chief audi- tor, accountant and taxpayer's watchdog. Since 2001 she has released over 170 audits and has exposed a major backlog of untested rape-kits, contracting improprieties at the city airport and harbor, millions in over-billing by a public relations firm, and hazing and harassment at the Los Angeles Fire Department. Last year, Chick authored the groundbreaking blueprint for a comprehensive gang strategy in Los Angeles. She also created the city's Waste and Fraud Unit and 24-hour whistleblower hotline. Prior to becoming Controller, Laura Chick served as a Los Angeles City Councilmember from 1993 to 2001. Chick also is an appointee of Governor Schwarzenegger to the California State Bar Board of Governors. "President Obama and Vice President Biden called for accountability when they launched the Recovery Act, and Governor Schwarzenegger has made it clear that he is equally dedicated to ensuring that this funding goes toward its intended purpose of creating jobs and revving up our economy," Chick said. "I am coming to Sacramento to deter, detect and disclose any waste, fraud and abuse of these precious stimulus dollars." Chick, whose salary will be $175,000 annually, will be watching for waste, fraud and abuse, and whether the estimated $50 billion in direct spending from the Recovery Act is used appropriately in California. She will review the work of the California Recovery Task Force and all funding that is funneled through the state as well as funding that is sent directly to cities, counties, school districts, non-profits or other entities over the coming two years. This position was created through Executive Order S-04-09 and reports to the Governor. In early March, Governor Schwarzenegger launched www.recovery.ca.gov to ensure complete and full trans- parency of federal economic stimulus funding as it is received and expended by the state. The Web site provides Californians with new tools to monitor ongoing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act activity and pro- vide up-to-date information about how and when their federal tax dollars are spent. GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER TABS LAURA CHICK AS FIRST-IN-THE-NATION RECOVERY ACT INSPECTOR GENERAL