BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT, CARLENE BAKER
Carlene is an award winning Hospitality Sales & Marketing Director with an extensive background in special events, groups and new hotel openings.
As a graduate of the University of Central Florida, she spent most of her career at the Walt Disney World Company as well as the hotel industry in Orlando. Being an avid UF Gator fan, Carlene is thrilled to be the Market Director of Sales for the Homewood Suites by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Gainesville and honored to serve on the Board as the Alachua County Hospitality Council President.
VICE PRESIDENT, LINDA ROCHA
Linda works as a Director, Information Contact of Development at Dance Alive National Ballet. This amazing local source of world-class ballet was founded in 1966 and an important part of the North Florida arts community.
Linda graduated from Queensborough Community College in 1974 and was formerly with the Coral Springs Academy Of Dance and Keller Williams Realty.
SECRETARY, ADRIENNE POZZETTA
Adrienne is a Sr. Coordinator for Administrative Operations at the University Athletic Association. Adrienne has worked with UF sports for 24 years handling a multitude of different responsibilities within the Administration, Business and Finance, and Operations offices. As a graduate from UF, she takes much pride in working for the Gators and watching teams grow and have successful seasons.
Besides being an avid traveler, Adrienne also enjoys cooking, visiting nature trails, and spoiling her 2 cats Finn and Indy.
Treasurer, TBD
coming soon!
liaison: LODGING & BUSINESS, teresa james
Teresa is the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Aloft Hotel by Marriott, she has been in the hospitality industry for 20 years with proficiencies in not only hotels but also restaurants. She has won many awards and set records at companies projecting her career to where it is today. Teresa graduated from UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management school where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Event Management. Find her and ask her what she is a World Champion of with a record score of 98.85!
liaison: Restaurants & Attractions, ASHLEY BRYANT
A Gainesville native, Ashley is currently the Vice President of Marketing at Butler Enterprises. Ashley is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. Over the last 20-plus years, Ashley has worked in for-profit and nonprofit organizations in various roles such as marketing, communications, business development, and public relations. Ashley’s experience here in Alachua County, includes creating marketing strategies, building strategic partnerships, orchestrating community collaborations, managing advertising campaigns, driving business development, implementing social media, and overseeing digital marketing.
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER, DEAN LOCKLEY
Dean is currently the Sales Manager for the TownePlace Suites by Marriott here in Gainesville. Florida is the 6th state Dean has lived in, the first East of the Mississippi, arriving in Gainesville in 2021.
Dean is active throughout the community, in support of a number of different causes and organizations. If you see him, feel free to say 'hi', yell at him through a car window, or make him pose for a picture (just make sure to tag the Alachua County Hospitality Council if you post it!).
website manager, meghan carl
Meghan is the Conference Event Planner for the College of Medicine at the University of Florida. Over the last 8 years she has held roles in various event/sales related positions at: UF, local hotels, and the Ronald McDonald House. Meghan graduated from Niagara University in 2015 and has been in Gainesville ever since (you don’t have to shovel sunshine.. if you catch my snowdrift..).
Meghan enjoys spending time with her friends and family, kayaking/SUP in the springs, and walking her two furbabies.