Speakers

Beth Ziesenis: Author. Speaker. Nerd.

Since her first Motorola RAZR flip phone, Beth has made a verb out of the word “nerd.” She’s here to help you filter through thousands of apps, gadgets, widgets and doodads to find the perfect free and bargain technology tools for work and home. Although the only real trophy she ever won was for making perfect French fries at McDonald’s in high school, Beth Z has been featured on Best Speaker lists by several organizations who write best speaker lists. She has written a whole shelf of books on apps and has spoken to more than 100 thousand audience members just like you. And if you’re puzzling over why she goes by “Beth Z”… it’s because she only finds about three people a year who can pronounce her last name.

Kay Ivey, 54th Governor of the State of Alabama

Governor Kay Ivey, who became the 54th Governor of Alabama in 2017, is committed to raising the quality of life for all Alabamians. A native of Camden in Wilcox County, she embarked on a career of public service to benefit her fellow Alabamians. During her time as governor, Alabama has seen record high employment and its lowest jobless rate. Her focus on economic development has attracted over $32 billion in capital investment and 65,000 new jobs. She is committed to offering economic development opportunities to rural Alabama and the metro regions alike. With the same level of passion, she is leading Alabama toward a more prosperous future through infrastructure investments and an improved education system.

Lee Sentell, Director, Alabama Tourism Department

Lee has overseen tourism revenue growth in the state from $6 billion in 2003 to almost $ 23.5 billion in 2023. This is his fifth term in the Alabama Governor’s Cabinet.

Under his leadership, the department has pioneered yearly campaigns spotlighting such diverse themes as small towns, the arts, barbecue, natural wonders and the Alabama Bicentennial celebration, winning the national industry’s coveted Mercury award six times in 12 years. Most recently, their U.S. Civil Rights Trail campaign received the International Travel and Tourism Award for best regional promotion at the World Travel Market in London, becoming the first U.S. state tourism agency to be honored.

Previously, he was the first director of marketing at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville and recruited the first 100,000 students to Space Camp. The journalism graduate from Auburn University was city editor at The Decatur Daily before becoming founding director of the Decatur Tourism Bureau.

In related projects, Sentell assisted Monroeville novelist Harper Lee in the launch of her second novel, reopened the closed Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and sponsored the London premiere of the motion picture “Selma.” The Alabama tourism office is working with the National Park Service to nominate a number of civil rights landmarks as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sentell has served as a board member at the Alabama Historical Commission, Alabama Humanities Foundation, Alabama State Council on the Arts, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Rosa Parks Museum and the space museum in Huntsville.

A native of Ashland, he launched his book The Official U.S. Civil Rights Trail: What Happened Here Changed the World on June 23, 2021 at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park in Atlanta.

Liz Bittner, Travel South USA

Liz Bittner currently serves as President & Chief Executive Officer for Travel South USA, a 12-state regional marketing alliance owned by the state tourism offices of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

At the helm of the oldest, largest, and most respected regional alliance in the United States, Liz has successfully built a program of work that has been acknowledged as outstanding by the Board of Directors and industry alike.  Liz manages offices and well-developed programs in Australia/New Zealand, Benelux, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, and Italy.  She is a premier partner with Brand USA which serves to ensure tourism as a vital and dynamic element in the region’s economic development. Recently she has been awarded the 2019 US Travel Industry’s Mercury Award for Best International Marketing, Communicator Award presented by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts, a Telly Award in Digital Broadcasts and an Allie Award for Event Planning. In 2018, Travel South USA received the Most Improved Overseas Destination Marketing Organization by the National Tourism Awards in China. Her background includes serving as Executive Vice President of Group Leaders of America, Inc and Cendant Corporation, now Wyndham Worldwide, world’s largest franchisor of lodging brands, rental car companies, and transaction processing services.
She is a member of the U.S. Travel Industry Board of Directors and Beautiful Places of South Carolina. She also acts as the business manager for the U.S. Civil Rights Trail Marketing Alliance, LLC.  She has been named a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Steve Beshear, Alabama Tour Supplier of Year and Visit North Carolina’s Winner Circle award.
Liz is a frequent speaker at Governor’s conferences on tourism across the nation and is a guest lecturer for Georgia State University’s Day School of Hospitality and University of Georgia International Events classes.
Liz is a graduate of Ohio University with a degree in Organizational Communications/Marketing.  She resides in Atlanta with her husband, John, and is happy to brag on her adult children.

Claire Barrentine, Account Executive, Intermark Group

Claire Barrentine is an Account Executive with Intermark Group responsible for the Alabama Tourism Department account. Since joining the Intermark team in August of 2018, she has worked on all strategic planning, production and execution of ATD’s multi-channel marketing campaigns, account management and client service. Claire is a native of the Birmingham area and holds a B.A. in Public Relations from Auburn University.

Houston Blackwood , ACCS Innovation Center Workforce Director, ACCS Innovation Center

Houston Blackwood is an accomplished educator and workforce development leader with a proven track record of driving positive change in educational institutions and fostering strong partnerships between academia and industry.

With a solid background in instructional leadership, Houston is recognized for his proficiency in communication, stakeholder engagement, and innovative course planning.

As the Workforce Director at the Alabama Community College System’s Innovation Center, Houston spearheads initiatives to bridge the gap between education and workforce needs, leveraging his extensive experience in career-workforce pathway development. Prior to this role, Houston served as Director of Calhoun Workforce Solutions at Calhoun Community College, where he demonstrated a commitment to creating programs that prepare students for success in the real world.

Houston’s leadership journey also includes roles as Principal, Assistant Principal, and Teacher at various educational institutions, where he honed his skills in instructional leadership, formative assessment, and curriculum development.

With a positive and driven disposition, Houston brings a focused yet flexible leadership style to every endeavor, ensuring adaptability and resilience in the face of challenges.

Houston holds an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, an M.A. in Instructional Leadership from the University of North Alabama, and a B.S. in Biology/Chemistry and Physical Education. His comprehensive educational background, coupled with practical experience, positions him as a valuable asset in educational leadership, workforce development, and curriculum planning.

Commissioner Chris Blankenship, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Chris Blankenship was appointed as the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources by Governor Kay Ivey on August 11, 2017, after serving as acting Conservation Commissioner since June 1, 2017. He most recently served as the Deputy Commissioner and as Director of the DCNR Marine Resources Division from 2011 to 2017. He has worked at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources since 1994 when he was hired as a Conservation Enforcement Officer. Governor Ivey announced Commissioner Blankenship’s permanent appointment at the Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards on Friday, August 4, 2017. Commissioner Blankenship was officially sworn in on Friday, August 11, 2017.

Grey Brennan, Deputy Director, Alabama Tourism Department

Grey Brennan joined the Alabama Tourism Department in 2001. He serves as the department’s Deputy Director and head of the marketing department. Under Brennan’s leadership, Alabama’s international marketing program has grown from just one country to multiple international markets. In addition, Alabama had the #1 growth rate in the nation for international visitors between 2008 and 2018. Brennan established a program to showcase the state’s step-on guides at select tourism trade shows to continuously grow the domestic group tour market. Brennon holds both Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Alabama in marketing and communications. Prior to joining the Alabama Tourism Department, Brennan worked in the broadcasting industry in the state.

Dr. Adam Brooks, Associate Professor and co-founder of The Speaking Studio, The University of Alabama

Dr. Adam Brooks is a national award-winning public speaker and communication expert focused on helping people make their ideas more effective. Dr. Brooks is an Associate Professor at The University of Alabama where he helped found The Speaking Studio and directs the award-winning public speaking program.   Dr. Brooks has coached numerous individuals to national acclaim by helping organizations like Southern Light, Regions Bank, & All-State Insurance cut the noise and lead with meaning. He is also the author of the recently published the book “Engineered to Speak” from Wiley Press on how technical professionals can use communication and presentation skills to make their ideas create impact.

Matt Clement, Managing Partner, Madden Media

Matt Clement is a Managing Partner at Madden Media where his focus is helping clients close the gap between strategic plans, marketing efforts, research, stakeholders, and consumers. He has worked in the tourism industry for over 15 years, including multiple DMOs.  He currently serves as a delegate for the U.S. Travel Association Board of Directors and as a board member for the California Travel Association. Matt earned his Certified Destination Management Executive certification in 2013. Matt hangs up his hat in Fort Worth,Texas.

Bill Dinan, Account Director, Intermark Group

Bill Dinan is an Account Director with Intermark Group responsible for the Alabama Tourism Department. Since Fall of 2010, he has directed all strategic planning, production and execution of ATD’s multi-channel marketing campaigns, account management and client service. Prior to joining Intermark, Bill served in a similar capacity at Luckie & Company, managed media sales teams for Southern Progress Corporation and Time, Inc., and sold advertising solutions for Cox Media, Southern Living and local newspaper in markets throughout the southeast and Caribbean. Bill holds a B. S. in Marketing from Auburn University and a M. A. in Advertising from The University of Alabama. Alabama’s Capstone Communications Society has honored Bill as its Outstanding Alumnus in Advertising. Bill has served more than 20 years on the Alabama Travel Council Board of Directors including President for the period 1996 through 1999. He received the ATC’s Award of Excellence in 1999. Bill has been active in advertising industry circles, twice earning The Birmingham Media Club’s award for Outstanding Print Representative.

Don Dukemineer, STS, CHSP, joined Decatur Morgan County Tourism in February 2020 as the new Director of Sports Development. Before returning to North Alabama, Don worked for Foley Sports Tourism as Deputy Director of Sports Tourism for two years, and for the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau for 12 years as a Convention Sales Manager.  In 2008, Don was elected President of the Alabama Sports Initiative, Sports Alabama, by the Alabama Association of Destination Marketing Organizations (AADMO) members and continues to serve in this position today.  Under his leadership, Don represents the State of Alabama and approximately 13 member destinations in creating awareness of Alabama’s history and tradition in hosting sports tourism events.  In 2017, Don was elected to serve on the Sports Events & Tourism Association (Sports ETA) Board of Directors, the first Alabamian to have been selected. In July 2022, Don began his service as Chairman of the Board of Directors, after serving as Chair-Elect in 2021. He has also served as the chair of the Mentoring Community, co-leader on the Small and Mid-Market Community, and part of the Awards Committee.

In 2009, he was awarded the “Green Apple Award” for Young Professional of the Year by the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA); in 2010, the Huntsville/Madison County Hospitality Sales & Marketing Executives (HSME) recognized him as the CVB’s “employee of the year;” selected in the Southeast Tourism Society’s inaugural class of the “Forty for the Future,” recognizing travel’s leading talent in 2012, and recognized as the “Tourism Professional of the Year” by the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) in 2016.  SportsEvents Magazine recognized the CVB’s sports marketing efforts with a “Readers’ Choice Award” in 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2017; and Sports Destination Management recognized his efforts for hosting the 2016 Forrest Wood Cup with the prestigious “Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism” award; and awarded again in 2022 for his work with the 2022 JOAD Target Nationals of USA Archery. In 2021, he was recognized as an “Emerging Sports Events Industry Leader for 2021” by SportsEvents Magazine. In August 2023, Don was presented with the “Governor’s Tourism Award” by the Alabama Tourism Department for his dedication and service to the hospitality industry within the state of Alabama.

In December 2020, Don was elected to serve as Secretary of the Decatur Morgan County Hospitality Association, elevated to Vice President in May 2021, before being confirmed as President and Treasurer in 2022, which he still serves today. During his tenure in Huntsville, he served on the board of the Huntsville/Madison County Hospitality Sales & Marketing Executives (HSME) for 10 years, including two terms as President.

Don has been a part of several non-profits within the community including being a Board of Director of the Kiwanis Club of Decatur Alabama since February 2022; as Secretary and Treasurer of the Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI); board member for Good Culture; member of the Exchange Club of Greater Huntsville from 2016-2018; served on the Friends, Inc. non-profit board of directors for three years, including as Secretary and Vice President; Louis Crews Classic steering committee; and chairman of the Huntsville Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) advisory committee.

Don graduated from the University of Alabama in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, and Minor in Communication Studies.  He has earned his designations as a Sports Tourism Strategist (STS) and as a Certified Hospitality Sales Professional (CHSP).  He is a 2022 graduate of the Excellence in Leadership Program (Decatur, AL), 2010 graduate of Leadership Huntsville/Madison County’s Connect program; a 2016 graduate of the Alabama Leadership Initiative of Leadership Alabama; and received special event certification training through the Alabama Emergency Management Association (EMA). Don is also recognized as SafeSport Certified.

Dustin Gontarski , President-Compass Media

Dustin Gontarski brings over 27 years of experience in marketing, publishing, and advertising. As President of Compass Media, he leads with a focus on exceptional client service and results-driven strategies. Compass Media partners with tourism clients across the nation, renowned for delivering innovative solutions that achieve measurable results.

Nate Huff, President, Tourism Exchange USA

Nate Huff is President of Tourism Exchange USA, a Miles Partnership company. Nate has spent the last 17 years working with destinations and travel partners to craft brands and develop digital content and media strategies that generate measurable results. He has extensive experience working with clients like Brand USA, San Francisco Travel, Discover Puerto Rico, Visit California, and Travel South. He is currently heading up Tourism Exchange USA, a global product development and distribution platform for DMOs and travel businesses that is being launched nationwide in collaboration with Brand USA and Travel South. When not traveling for work or fun, Nate plays competitive wiffle ball, races old Japanese sports cars, and watches his two daughters dance.

Cory Lee, Curb Free with Cory Lee

After being diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at the age of two, Cory Lee’s thirst for adventure never ceased. He has traveled across all seven continents in his powered wheelchair while managing to run his travel blog CurbFreeWithCoryLee.com, where he shares his accessible — and sometimes not so accessible — travel adventures with others. Cory also does annual group trips, where his followers can join him in international destinations, and in 2022, he launched The Curb Free Foundation. This nonprofit provides wheelchair users with travel grants to go on their dream trip. As always, Cory’s goal is to inspire other wheelchair users to roll out of their comfort zones and see all of the beauty our world has to offer.

Presentation:

People with disabilities spend over 58 billion dollars per year in the travel industry, but are so often left out of travel narratives. In this session, Cory Lee will share his experiences as a wheelchair user that’s been to over 40 countries and all seven continents, but he’ll also highlight what exactly goes into planning an accessible trip, how Alabama can reach and attract disabled travelers, and why inclusivity makes sense from a business standpoint. After attending this session, destinations will have the tools they need to be a leader for accessible travel.

Tripp Powell, Managing Partner, Yea, Alabama

Tripp Powell is the Managing Partner of Yea, Alabama, the official NIL entity of The University of Alabama.  Powell works with over 250 student athletes across 14 sports to help them build value around their name, image, and likeness. He has over 20 years experience in private business, and has served on and presided over the boards of several community organizations including the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, the Tuscaloosa Alternative Sentencing Office, and the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority’s Foundation Board. He is a graduate of The University of Alabama, where he received Academic All-SEC honors as a member of the football team. He is married to Lesley, and has two daughters, Leigh and Libby. 

Cole Price, Director – Advantage Center & NIL Partnerships Crimson Tide Sports Marketing

Cole Price is the Director of the Alabama NIL Advantage Center, serving a hand in the NIL structure for Alabama Athletics since 2021. Prior to this, Cole was the Director of Trademark Licensing for Alabama Athletics from 2013 through 2020 and began his professional career with The Collegiate Licensing Company in 2010. Cole and his family have lived in Tuscaloosa for the past 10 years and in his free time he enjoys playing golf.

Kelsey Rush, TMP, President and CEO, Visit Tuscaloosa

Kelsey Rush is the President and CEO for Visit Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County’s destination marketing organization.  Rush has over 14 years of experience in integrated marketing communications, event development, community relations and sponsorships and has a passion for serving her community.  Throughout her professional career, she has also worked in the banking industry and holds additional tourism and bank marketing credentials.  Rush is currently an executive board member for the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, a board member for Theatre Tuscaloosa and the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association, and a volunteer for Junior Achievement.  Rush was recently appointed by Governor Ivey to serve on the Alabama Tourism Advisory Board as well.

 She completed her master’s degree in marketing communication management with The University of Alabama in December 2022 and holds a travel marketing professional (TMP) certification through the Southeast Tourism Society.  In 2020, Rush received the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama’s Charles H. Land Member of the Year and has been a recipient of the United Way Young Leaders “United in Service” award.  Kelsey is married to Richard Rush and enjoys loving on her two fur-babies, Honey and Lilly.

Kristin Scroggin, genWHY Communications

Meet Kristin Scroggin – A huge fan of Generational Diversity armed with a Communication Studies master’s degree from the University of Alabama and a bachelor’s from Montevallo in decoding GenZ slang and millennial emojis.  Kristin embarked on her research endeavors during her almost 20-year tenure as a professor at the University of Alabama in Huntsville before giving birth to her company, genWHY Communications in 2017.

Kristin has a passion for decoding the generational enigma and is known for her straight-talk speaking style and wicked twist of humor. Kristin has been on stages in 42 states, left her mark in 3 countries, and sprinkled her wisdom across more than 160 conferences for 350+ diverse organizations. From Fortune 500 giants to pint-sized non-profits, she’s been there, done that, and left an indelible impression.

Published in magazines, guest on multiple podcasts, and the workhorse behind groundbreaking research, Kristin isn’t just about speaking – she’s about making waves in the world of succession planning and leadership program development. Need someone to referee the battle of Boomers and Millennials on your teams? Look no further; Kristin consults on attracting, developing, and retaining the brightest minds.

But wait, there’s more! Fueled by an unrelenting wanderlust, Kristin and her partner-in-travel (husband) are on a quest to explore every nook and cranny of the globe. Amidst their jet-setting adventures, they somehow manage to keep their sanity while raising four humans who never stop eating.

To learn more and get resources visit www.genwhy.com.

Pam Shaheen, Crossroads Marketing

For decades, Pam Shaheen and Mary Beth Gabriel have been a combination of marketing strategists, road warriors and successful publishers in their commitment to promoting golf in Alabama. The two are President and Managing Partner, respectively, of Crossroads Marketing which has served the golf and tourism industries since 1997.

Crossroads specializes in golf travel marketing, golf guide publishing, golf destination development and consumer golf show distribution and representation services. For many years Crossroads has published the Official Golf Travel Guide of the Alabama Tourism Department and been an active and dedicated partner in the promotion of golf throughout the state. In addition, they have worked with individual golf destinations across the state, providing advertising opportunities and coordinating media relations tours to Alabama golf courses, resorts, lodging properties and DMOs. Crossroads also promotes the state and each of its partner destinations through the Let’s Golf® multi-faceted marketing effort.

Pam Smith, Alabama Tourism Department Statistician

Pam Smith is the Statistician for the Alabama Tourism Department.  She compiles the annual Alabama Tourism economic impact reports, maintains databases of state lodging tax and other information, assists tourism partners with data requests, etc.  She also works with the Alabama Tourism industry partners website and assists users with getting their event and attraction listings to appear on the alabama.travel website.

Before working with Alabama Tourism, Pam worked at Auburn University Montgomery’s Center for Business and Economic Development.  While there, she worked with the Alabama Tourism Department on various projects, including the annual economic reports and assisted with other activities and projects for the Center for Business.

Justice Smyth,  Executive Director, Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority (TCEDA).

The TCEDA is the economic development agency for all jurisdictions within Tuscaloosa County, Alabama and is a one stop source for accessing site location data including available sites and buildings, financing, employee training and incentives for manufacturing, technology, and knowledge-based investments. 

Prior to joining TCEDA, Justice served The University of Alabama in dual roles as Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Alabama Transportation Institute and as Interim Director of the Alabama Mobility and Power Center. He previously worked as Director of Corporate Development for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce where he was involved in the recruitment of 7500 new jobs and $1.5 billion in capital investment. 

Justice earned a master’s and bachelor’s degree in communication and information sciences from The University of Alabama, where he is now working to complete a doctorate degree in education. As an undergraduate, he was elected President of the Student Government Association and was selected for membership in the JASONS Men’s Honorary and Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. He is also a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute. 

Justice is active in his community having served as a board member for several professional and charitable organizations including the Board of Directors of the Business Council of Alabama, the Economic Development Association of Alabama, The Alabama-Germany Partnership, The Arc of Tuscaloosa County, the Family Counseling Service of West Alabama, the United Way of West Alabama, and The University of Alabama’s Blackburn Institute. Justice and his wife, Morgan, are the proud parents of two daughters, Francie (4) and Sarah Collins (2).

Kyle South, President and CEO, The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama

In April 2023, the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama Board of Directors approved Kyle South to serve as the next President and CEO of the Chamber, effective July 1, 2023. He replaced Jim Page, who resigned in March 2023 to take a position in the private sector in Huntsville. 

 Kyle, 42, is an Alabama native, having grown up in the small town of Fayette. He graduated from Fayette County High School in 1999 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce & Business Administration, with a focus on marketing, from the University of Alabama in 2004. 

 Immediately following graduation and the passing of his grandfather, Kyle went back home to Fayette to serve as President and General Manager of West Alabama TV Cable Company (WATVC). He spearheaded all aspects of operations for the family-owned cable company, including sales management, business development, marketing, finance, banking, budgets, quality standards, and customer service. In addition, Kyle cultivated and maintained professional, long-term client relationships and supported networking to secure new business opportunities. From 2008 through 2014, he served as a Board member and Chairman of the Alabama Cable Telecommunications Association. Kyle and his family sold the company to Charter Communications- Spectrum in 2019. 

 As a State Representative for District 16, Kyle served three terms in the Alabama House of Representatives. He was first elected in 2014 to represent the interests and population of Fayette, Jefferson, Lamar, and Tuscaloosa counties. Kyle’s achievements in the House include serving as a key member of the Financial Services Committee and Insurance Committee; participation in the Ways and Means General Fund Committee as Vice Chairman; and serving as a member of the Transportation, Utilities, and Infrastructure Committee.  In 2023, Kyle served in the role of Floor Leader for Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter.

 Kyle is a lifelong member of Fayette First United Methodist Church and the devoted father of two daughters, Ava Grace (16) and Kylie (13). Kyle and his wife, Ann-Phillips, were married in 2022, and they currently reside in Tuscaloosa.

Chris Stewart, Announcer, Crimson Tide Sports Network

Chris Stewart has been a broadcaster since 1988, and has been the Alabama’s men’s basketball play-by-play announcer for the Crimson Tide Sports Network since 2002.

In addition to that role, Stewart also serves as the play by play announcer for CTSN’s radio coverage of Crimson Tide Football and as the television host of “The Kalen DeBoer Show” and “The Nate Oats Show”.

Stewart also served as the radio play-by-play announcer for Bama Baseball, for 24 seasons.

Prior to taking over the Alabama basketball play-by-play job, the Fairfield native also spent eight seasons as the radio announcer for Birmingham-Southern College. He described the action for two NAIA national championships won by the Panthers – the 1995 men’s basketball title, as well as the 2001 baseball championship.

Stewart also has extensive television play-by-play experience throughout his career, including past stints on various broadcast platforms covering high school and college football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and volleyball.

A 1992 graduate of the University of Montevallo, Stewart was honored with the school’s 2009 Alumni Achievement Award, and was a 2021 inductee into the UM Athletics Hall of Fame.

On six occasions he has also been named “Alabama Sportscaster of the Year” by the National Sports Media Association (https://nationalsportsmedia.org/).

Chris has three children, Anne, Parker, & Hudson.

Jayne Stones is the Strategic Parnerships Manager at Tourism Exchange USA. In this role, Jayne identifies and develops mutually beneficial partnerships within the tourism industry. Previously, Jayne worked at Hotelbeds for more than two decades, where she served as Head of Sourcing and Operations Manager.

Jay Waters, Senior instructor,  Department of Advertising and Public Relations, The University of Alabama

He teaches classes in consumer research, strategic thinking, and agency management.  This is his tenth year at the University of Alabama.  Jay joined UA full-time after 24 years with Luckie and Company, a full‐service advertising agency headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.  At Luckie, Jay was SVP, Chief Strategy Officer, responsible for brand strategy, account planning, and media. Campaigns that Jay planned have won a Cannes Lion and a Mediaweek Media Plan of the Year award. In addition, Jay’s consumer insights and research have provided the foundation for multiple award-winning creative campaigns. Travel-related clients Jay has worked on or done research for include Alabama Tourism, Visit Williamsburg, Asheville Tourism, The 30A Company and Panama City Beach Tourism. Since joining UA, Jay has served as a member of the Faculty Senate and the Undergraduate Council.  He is a member of the American Advertising Federation’s National Education Executive Council.  In 2018, he received the AAF District 7 Outstanding Educator Award.  In 2021, he was selected for the U.S. State Department’s Fulbright Specialist Program roster. Jay has a B.S in Management and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama in Birmingham.