Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/4253
Black Meetings & Tourism October/November 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 54 his most intriguing deals illustrate the principles that guide Mr. 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. PHYLLIS QUALLS-BROOKS serves as assistant com- missioner for community and industry relations for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. She joined the department in spring of 2004 as assistant commissioner of market- ing. In her role, Qualls-Brooks com- municates department policies and initiatives to the tourism industry as well as to other stakeholders. She coordinates various depart- mental activities and is responsible for strengthening collaborative relationships that engender a common purpose among the state's tourism industry part- ners. Additionally, Qualls-Brooks is responsible for the development of the department's education initiative and works with members of the community and the academic profession in this role. As assistant commissioner, Qualls-Brooks is responsible for promoting the community service activities of the depart- ment. She supervises the department's regional managers who serve as liaisons between the department and the tourism industry. The community service component is designed to promote department services which support and encourage the state's expanding tourism reach. She also serves as public information officer and coordinates commu- nication efforts on behalf of the department with the Governor's Communication staff. ALICIA REECE serves as assistant director for Travel and Tourism for the State of Ohio. In this role, she oversees both the gen- eral market and multicultural advertising campaigns. This year the state's "Too Much Fun For Just One Day" general market cam- paign, which Reece manages, received three Telly Advertising awards. In addition, she was also recently appointed as the interim director of the Ohio Film Office overseeing the implementation of Ohio's new film tax credit for film production. The division of Travel and Tourism is located with- in the Ohio Department of Development. Prior to joining ODOD, Reece served as senior vice presi- dent for the marketing and consulting firm, Communiplex Promotional Services. Reece has a distinguished career in pub- lic service, which began in 1999 when she was elected to Cincinnati City Council at the age of 28. From 2002-2006, Reece served as the vice mayor for Ohio's 3rd largest city. As vice mayor, Reece led tourism and marketing efforts for the city, with accomplishments including: the creation of the "Cincinnati On the Move" tourism campaign; securing top national conventions including the NAACP National Convention and National Baptist Convention; and chairing City Council's Tourism and Small Business Committee, which oversaw the $135 million expansion of the Duke Energy Convention Center. Reece holds a degree in Communications from Grambling State University. Reece began her duties as Assistant State Tourism Director May 15, 2007. 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 membership sales and service stan- dard for the bureau, overseeing the production of all member-based publications and maintaining the day-to-day operations of the mem- ber services department. Richards, who has been with the bureau for 20 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" pro- gram, Richards' goal is to reach out to traditional and non- traditional companies and educate them on the importance of travel industry in the North Texas area. She understands the correlation 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 Gaining Wealth and Authority, Roberts was recently inducted into Morehouse College's Renaissance Leaders Hall of Fame (2008) and in 2007 was awarded the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.