BM&T Newsmakers

NEWSMAKERS

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COCA-COLA COMPANY ELECTS ALEXIS M. HERMAN AS DIRECTOR

The Coca-Cola Company Board of Directors today elected former U.S. secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman as a director of the company, effective immediately. As part of her election, Secretary Herman was appointed to the Public Issues and Diversity Review Committee of the Board.

Secretary Herman served as America's 23rd secretary of Labor and was the first African-American ever to lead the U.S. Department of Labor. Secretary Herman currently serves as chair and chief executive officer of New Ventures, chair of the Diversity Advisory Board of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., and is a member of the boards of directors of Cummins Inc., Entergy Corporation and MGM Mirage. She served as chairwoman of the Coca-Cola Company's Human Resources Task Force From 2001 to 2006.

Secretary Herman was appointed by President Jimmy Carter as the youngest director of the Women's Bureau in the history of the Labor Department.

A recipient of more than 20 honorary doctorate degrees from major colleges and universities, she also serves on the Board of Trustees of Xavier University of Louisiana and is a trustee of the National Labor College. Her nonprofit work includes the National Urban League and the National Epilepsy Foundation as well as her role as co-chair of the Bush Clinton Katrina Fund.

Herman can be reached at (404) 676-2683.

HOSPITALITY VETERAN FLETCHER C. MAYES TAPPED AS GENERAL MANAGER FOR SHOWCASE RENOVATION OF CHICAGO’S LEGENDARY BLACKSTONE HOTEL

Sage Hospitality Resources, the Denver, CO-based hospitality company that is renovating — and will manage — The Blackstone, a Renaissance Hotel, has appointed Fletcher C. Mayes as the general manager.

Mike Murray, senior vice president of operations at Sage Hospitality Resources, described Mayes, whose distinguished career in the hospitality industry spans over 22 years, as uniquely positioned to lead The Blackstone and to establish the hotel as a benchmark of excellence in luxury, style and service:

“Mr. Mayes brings impeccable credentials and an outstanding track record in hospitality to the project in addition to a profound understanding of The Blackstone’s special role as a cultural icon that is uniquely Chicago,” said Murray. “His vision, expertise and passion for service — combined with a luxury hotel that marries its historic roots with contemporary design savvy — promise to make every stay at The Blackstone an exceptional guest experience,” added Mr. Murray.

Sage’s $112 million renovation of the long dormant, 23-story, Beaux-Arts Blackstone Hotel into a luxury Renaissance hotel is scheduled for completion later this year. Located on Michigan Avenue, in the heart of Chicago’s arts and theatre district, The Blackstone will feature 332 stylish guest rooms, 12 sumptuous suites, 13,230 sq. ft. of meeting space, a health club and business center and a gallery of Chicago art. A street level Starbucks Café with outdoor seating will serve hotel guests, the local business community and neighborhood residents.

In his position as general manager, Mayes will provide leadership for the opening and on-going operations of The Blackstone.

Most recently, Mayes was the general manager for the Hyatt Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition, he has held key executive posts at prominent hotels in major markets throughout the country including Grand Hyatt Washington, Washington, DC; Hyatt Regency Crown Center, Kansas City, MO and the Hyatt Regency Tech Center, Denver, CO. (Mayes also has a Chicago connection, having served as the general manager of the Hyatt University Village).

Mayes can be reached at (608) 284-0848.

BEVERLY NICHOLSON DOTY COMMISSIONER OF TOURISM UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS

Beverly Nicholson Doty serves as commissioner of Tourism for the United States Virgin Islands, a cabinet-level position. She oversees the Department of Tourism’s advertising and marketing plans, its national and international tourism-related efforts and product development.

Twenty five years ago, while attending the College of the Virgin Islands, Nicholson Doty began her career in the hospitality industry as a reservations clerk at what was then the Virgin Isle Hotel. Quickly rising in the ranks, she served as front desk manager, front office manager, room’s division manager, hotel manager, sales manager, and marketing & sales director.

In March 1993, Nicholson Doty joined the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel & Tourism Association as its executive director. In this position, her responsibilities included spearheading the implementation and development of the Association’s strategic plan, focusing on four integral areas: Education and Training, Community Needs and Programs, Government Relations, and Marketing. She also formed the Cooperative Marketing Initiative, which encouraged tourism-related businesses to actively and collectively promote their products.

During her tenure with the Association, Nicholson Doty was responsible for developing the Student Internship Program, a sustainable tourism initiative that encourages students to consider available employment options within the tourism industry by combining hands-on experience with exposure to available hospitality careers. She also oversaw the unification of the St. Thomas-St. John Hotel & Tourism Association with the St. Croix Hotel & Tourism Association to create an integrated Association that strengthens the entire U.S. Virgin Islands hotel product while recognizing the unique offerings of each island. In 2004, she was appointed president of the USVI Hotel & Tourism Association, a position never held previously by a paid staff member.

Recognized by the travel industry for her creative vision and marketing insight, Commissioner Nicholson Doty was selected as executive director of the Year in 2000 by the Caribbean Hotel Association. She also served for three consecutive terms as vice president of the Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE), elected by her counterparts in the Caribbean region.

Commissioner Nicholson Doty can be reached at

GREATER HOUSTON CVB HIRES NEW PRESIDENT

On December 3, 2007, Greg Ortale will join the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau (GHCVB) as president and CEO. He will lead the strategic direction of all sales/services, marketing, tourism, protocol and film communications for the organization.

"I am so pleased to have Greg on our team," said Donald J Henderson, chairman emeritus of the GHCVB. "He comes to us with more than 30 years of experience, and I look forward to working with him on continuing to build Houston into a premier meeting destination."

"Greg brings to the table an extensive background in the travel and convention industry," said Thomas Jones, chairman of the GHCVB. "He is known to be a decisive and assertive leader. We look forward to him serving as our president."

"I am really excited about the opportunity," said Ortale. "To me, Houston is, and always will be, a can-do, will-do city. It is a world-class tourism destination with world-class cultural facilities attracting a national and international audience. I view the city as completing a renaissance of sorts. The infrastructure continues to improve, with the expanded George R. Brown convention center, three new stadiums, Minute Maid Park, Reliant Stadium and Toyota Center. Coupled with the Hilton Americas convention hotel, Houston has everything it needs to succeed. Add to it the community commitment shown to me and it is an unbeatable combination."

Previously, Ortale served as president and chief executive officer of Meet Minneapolis™, Official Convention & Visitors Association, where he founded the Minnesota Alliance for Convention Center Expansion, a group of business and community leaders whose influence helped make the Minneapolis Convention Center expansion a reality in 2002. Other previously held positions include executive vice president and general manager of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Council in 1984 and he was elected the first president of the Texas Travel Industry Congress, a lobbying coalition of travel-related associations in 1985.

Ortale can be reached at (800) 4 HOUSTON.