Elizabeth DerbyMs. Derby joined Hotel Equities, a hotel development and management firm, 14 years ago as Director of Sales & Marketing for the company’s portfolio that numbered only four hotels at the time. Today, the firm includes 25 sales directors serving more than 50 properties in six states from Virginia to Louisiana. In addition to the sales and marketing strategy for Hotel Equities, Ms. Derby oversees the firm’s public relations strategy and implementation, including media relations and the quarterly company newsletter. Responsible for the firm’s website and its marketing materials, she spearheaded the revitalization of the company logo and all print materials. She supervises the revenue management function at the corporate level and also assists the hotels with setting overall sales and marketing strategies to maximize revenues. A member of the board of the Hospitality Industry Ministries organization in Atlanta, Ms. Derby has held positions on the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Marketing Franchise Committee and the Marriott E-Commerce Franchise Committee. Ms. Derby holds a B.S. degree in Administrative Management from Clemson University. She enjoys antiquing, reading, and spending time with her two children. A resident of Lawrenceville, Georgia, she is the mother of a daughter and a son.