Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/61584
The National Bar Association (NBA) has appointed Demetris W. Cheatham the first female executive director in the Association's 87-year history. Representing approximately 44,000 lawyers, judges, law professors and lawstudents, theNBAisAmerica's oldest and largest organization for minority attorneys and judges. Prior to her appointment, Cheat- ham fulfilled senior management positions within the organiza- tion serving most recently as NBA's interim executive director. An active member of the NBA throughout her career, Cheatham served the organization as a committee member of various substantive sections, managing editor of the Corporate Law Section magazine, In House View, and Communications director and special assistant to NBA president. Troy Thorn has been named execu- tive director of the Vicksburg Conven- tion Center and VicksburgAuditorium in Vicksburg, Mississippi, VenuWorks President Steve Peters announced. Thorn began his duties in January. "We are excited to bringTroyThorn into the VenuWorks family as the leader of our facilities in Vicksburg," Peters said. "He will bring his experi- ence and creativity, along with his knowledge of multi-purpose venues, to these facilities." Thorn, 41, brings over 20 years of destination and venue management experience with a thorough knowledge of the principles and practices, challenges and opportunities of man- aging and promoting convention center complexes. DeWayne Wickham, a founder and past president of the National Assoc- iation of Black Journalists, will receive the organization's Lifetime Achieve- mentAward on June 23 duringNABJ's 37th Annual Convention and Career Fair inNewOrleans. In addition to being a founding member of NABJ, the current USA Today columnist also founded the Association of Black Media Workers, the NABJ chapter in Baltimore.He assisted in the creation of professional chapters in bothGreensboro,NC, andNorfolk,VA.Wickhamalso founded NABJ student chapters atDelaware StateUniversity andNorth CarolinaA&T StateUniversity, the latter at which he currently serves as distinguished professor of journalismand interimchair of theDepartment of JournalismandMass Communication. 12 Kelvin D. Moore, CMP, serves as general manager of the SMG / Jackson Convention Complex in Jackson, MS. In this post he is respon- sible for the day to day management of all aspects of the 330,000-sq. ft. Jackson Convention Complex, including sales, marketing, event services, operations, maintenance, security, technical servic- es, finance, human resources, and food & beverage. Prior to his current appointment, Moore, who has over 20 years of Industry experience, was general manager of the SMG / Lynnwood Convention Center in Lynwood, WA. Moore has also served as GM at two Global Spectrum facili- ties, and holds membership in a number of industry organiza- tions, including International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) and Meeting Planners International (MPI) Karen M. Gonzales, CMP, senior vice president of Membership & Operations forDestinationMarketing Association International (DMAI) has assumed the role of chair of the 2012 Certified Meeting Professional Program (CMP) Board of Directors. Gonzales, formerly vice chair of the Board, replacesMartie Sparks,CMP. "My goal is to work with the board and staff in advancing the five strategic pillars from our cur- rent strategic plan while reinforcing value for the individual certification holder;maintaining program wellness; and deliv- ering current and relevant resources globally," saidGonzales. Prior to DMAI,Gonzales was withMeeting Professionals International (MPI) for five years asmanaging director of the multicultural programs and initiatives. Katrina Allison serves as the house- keeping coordinator at the SMG-man- aged Greater Columbus Convention Center. In this post she is responsible for standardizing operations and imple- menting best practices and training among the housekeeping staff. She was previously employed by a local Howard Johnson hotel property for more than six years. The Greater Columbus Convention Center, located in downtown Columbus, hosted an estimated 2.5 million visitors in 2010. The facility is owned by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and is managed by Philadelphia-based SMG. Since 1977, SMG has provided management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities, including arenas, stadi- ums, and convention, congress and exhibition centers. Black Meetings & Tourism March/April 2012: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com