Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/533451
B M & T ••• March/April 2015 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 40 bureau, overseeing corporate partnerships, member-based publications and daily operations of the member services depart- ment. Richards received her bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of North Texas. She is a member of several commu- nity organizations including Dallas Fort Worth Area Tourism Council, Dallas Zoological Society board of directors, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Meeting Professionals International's (MPI) Foundation Board of Directors (US Council). velopment phase that lasted throughout the 1980s. In the decades that followed, Roberts used his extraordinary and creative leader- ship abilities to build a business empire that encompasses television and quasi-govern- mental agencies, and private owners in the management of all phases of a construction project, including the design and manage- ment of programs to ensure the participa- tion of Minority-owned, Women-owned, and Local Small Businesses. RR&A has served as consultant to a wide variety of public and private sector clients over the past 29 years, managing MBE/WBE par- ticipation as construction contractors, ven- dors and suppliers in projects throughout the country whose cumulative cost exceeds $30 billion. JOHN ROLFE was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas. Since March 2012, John has served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GHCVB). Before joining GHCVB, John was the CEO and President of Go Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau. He also has served as the Vice President of Economic Development for the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce and as Deputy Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce. During his eighteen years in the hospitality industry, he has served as Director of Finance and Administration at both the Wichita and San Jose (CA) Convention and Visitors Bureaus. Rolfe is a graduate of Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, holding a bachelor's degree in business administration and has been involved with various boards and civic organizations. He currently serves as a Board of Director for the Texas Travel Industry Association and Destination Marketing Association International. MICHAEL V. ROBERTS is the classic American entrepreneur. Born to middle class hard working parents, educat- ed in the St. Louis public school system, he worked his way through college and law school to become one of St. Louis' leading businessmen. Throughout his rise in busi- ness, Roberts maintained a strong commit- ment to the African-American community from which he came. Locating his head- quarters in the heart of this community, his endeavors over the last forty years have cre- ated thousands of jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, raised the level of economic activity and enhanced the quality of life for the African-American community. Roberts' broad range of professional knowledge and experience developed as both a business owner and public official (St. Louis Board of Aldermen, 1977- 1985) encompasses the application of innovative financing strategies for large public projects, public-private sector development negotiation strategies, and successful management techniques for urban commercial properties. His leader- ship in the creation of innovative strate- gies for financing of redevelopment proj- ects propelled the City into a major rede- MONICA SMITH, CMP, CASE, CDME is the president & CEO of the Macon-Bibb County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Smith leads the CVB's efforts to market Macon-Bibb County as a destination for leisure travel, conventions, and group tours. She is incoming President of the Georgia Association of CVBs (GACVB), a board member of the Southeast Tourism Society (STS), and a member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI). Smith earned a bachelor's degree in hotel administration from Cornell University in 1995. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading and traveling with her hus- band and three children. ROBERT L. STEELE, III, CHA, is president and COO of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). Steele oversees the day-to-day opera- tions of the Educational Institute, as well as directs the overall vision and strategies in conjunction with the board of trustees. Steele's responsibilities also include repre- senting AHLEI as its spokesperson and leader, formulating profitable and produc- tive strategic business alliances to enhance AHLEI, increasing penetration of the inter- national markets, and enhancing marketing efforts within the industry.