Black Meetings and Tourism

March / April 2017

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N E W S M A K E R S Chairman Roslyn M. Brock Steps Down After Seven Years Mississippi State President Derrick Johnson Elected as Vice Chair. The NAACP elected Leon W. Russell as the chairman of the Board of Directors at its annual board meeting on February 18 in New York. He replaces Roslyn M. Brock, who decided to step down as chair- man after seven years of lead- ership. "I am honored to have served seven years as chairman of the nation's most important civil rights group," said Brock, NAACP chairman of the Board since 2010. "Leon W. Russell is a stalwart NAACP civil and human rights leader who is prepared to lead the NAACP into the future. Mr. Russell has been the chief architect in the development of the NAACP's strategic plan and champion of its organizational policy and resolutions process. His commit- ment to the Association's mission of protecting civil rights for all Americans remains unquestioned," she added. Russell most recently served as vice chair of the Board and has been a board member for over 27 years. He served as president of the Florida State Conference of Branches of the NAACP from 1996-2000, after serving for 15 years as the first vice president. He is also the former assistant secretary of the Board and the former director of the Office of Human Rights for Pinellas County Government, Clearwater, Florida from 1977-2012, where he was responsi- ble for implementation of the county's human rights and affirmation action ordinances. VISIT PHOENIX PROMOTES LORNE EDWARDS TO VICE PRESIDENT Visit Phoenix has promoted Lorne Edwards to vice president of Sales & Services. Edwards joined Visit Phoenix five years ago as director of Sales after a 16-year career at Hyatt Hotels Corporation. In his new role, Edwards will guide the organization's national strategic sales and services initiatives. "I'm proud of the integral role we continue to play in booking business in Greater Phoenix through collabora- tion with the Phoenix Convention Center and down- town hotels and our resort partners," said Steve Moore, president and CEO of Visit Phoenix. "I'm delighted to have Lorne's skill and passion leading our vision to be the premier destination for con- ventions, meetings and events." Edwards explained, "As we look ahead, we are connect- ing and aligning our corporate clientele and various trade organizations with our local growth sectors in health servic- es, education, technology and life sciences. We attract and host numerous notable knowledge industry annual gather- ings and other meetings in Phoenix." Edwards received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Hospitality Management from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. His industry mem- berships and affiliations include American Society of Association Executives, Professional Convention Management Association and Destination Marketing Association International. Edwards has also served in a DMO advisory capacity for American Express Meetings & Events and HelmsBriscoe. A native of Antigua in the West Indies, Edwards enjoys spending time with family and participating in outdoor activities with his wife Melissa and their four children. NAACP ELECTS LEON W. RUSSELL AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS B M & T ••• March/April 2017 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 12

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