OIC23 SPEAKERS
Emmitt Smith, Keynote Speaker
Emmitt Smith is a professional football icon and one of the greatest to ever play the game. In his 15 seasons in the National Football League, Smith amassed many records that still stand today, including the most career rushing yards and the most career rushing touchdowns. Smith's impressive resume includes three Super Bowl championship rings and his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
As a first-round pick in the 1990 NFL Draft, Smith was the cornerstone of the Dallas Cowboys offense for 13 seasons. The eight-time Pro Bowler was the first player in NFL history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in 11 consecutive seasons and on October 27, 2002 he surpassed Walter Payton as the NFL's all-time leading rusher.
After his playing days, Smith served as a football analyst and then took his television career a step further when he won the third season of ABC's Dancing with the Stars, during which he was dubbed "the king of effortless cool." He also added author to his list of accomplishments, publishing Game On, which outlines the principles that helped him succeed both on and off the field.
Currently, Smith has transitioned to the role of businessman and entrepreneur and runs several companies spanning real estate, construction and technology. Active in charitable outreach both in the Dallas area and on a national level, Smith founded Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities with his wife to provide unique experiences and educational opportunities to underserved youth. Smith currently resides with his wife, Pat, and their five children in Dallas.
Mary Kelly
Succession Planning
Mary Kelly is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and spent over 20 years on active duty in intelligence and logistics. She retired from the Navy as a commander. She has master’s degrees in history and economics, and a PhD in economics.
Mary Kelly has EXPERIENCE, and it’s this experience that helps your executives and your audiences change the way they view crises, challenges, and changes. Mary turns obstacles into opportunities.
Mary was a professor for over 30 years, and she loves helping others navigate the economy, build their businesses, become even better leaders, and accomplish more in less time. Combining inspirational military and corporate stories, unforgettable energy, and a little comedy, Mary delivers customized and memorable programs every time!
Kelly Merbler
Maintaining Work-Life Balance
Kelly Merbler is an award-winning speaker, executive coach, and the founding principal of The Kelly Merbler Company, a leadership consulting firm specializing in strengths-based employee engagement and retention programs, leadership development, and culture building.
Kelly believes everyone has the ability to be an inspired and transformational leader who empowers others to rise to their greatest potential. She sparks organizations, leaders, and teams to find their passion and purpose by operating in their strengths leading to more fulfilling personal and professional lives.
Twenty-one years as a regional executive with a global staffing organization taught Kelly that the secret to success is not just hiring the right talent but activating that talent by identifying what people do best and aligning them in the right role for maximum impact.
Following the loss of her mother to dementia in 2014, Kelly discovered her passion for helping others discover their purpose when she attended a leadership conference where her now-mentor, Dr. John C. Maxwell was the keynote speaker. Since then, she has become a Gallup-certified Strengths Coach and faculty member for Maxwell Leadership.
Kelly’s client list includes UKG, Memorial Healthcare System, Texas Payroll Association, Waste Management, The Ritz-Carlton, Converse, ChenMed, and HR Florida among many others.
Kelly received her undergraduate degree in Business and Corporate Communications from the University of Central Florida.
Chirag Shah
Business Intelligence Panel Moderator
Chirag Shah is the Executive Vice President for Federal and Political Affairs and Counsel at the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
In his role, Chirag leads AHLA’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and with federal agencies.
He also directs the association's national political strategy. He previously served as AHLA's Senior Vice President of Federal Affairs. Prior to joining AHLA, Chirag served as the Vice President for Government Affairs at AAHOA, the nation's largest hotel owners association.
During his decade-long tenure working in the lodging industry, Chirag has focused on critical issues facing hoteliers including tax reform, workforce relations, relief from predatory litigation, championing human trafficking prevention, and advocating for economic stimulus in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Chirag previously served as a deputy director and legal advisor at the Republican National Committee, the campaign manager for former Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, and in multiple roles for U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02).
Chirag earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and his J.D. from the University of Missouri.
Cindy Estis Green
Business Intelligence Panelist
Cindy Estis Green is the CEO and co-founder of Kalibri Labs, a next generation benchmarking and analytics company with the most robust database of hotel performance in the U.S.; the company uses data science techniques to evaluate and predict hotel revenue performance. Estis Green is a thought leader and frequent speaker on hospitality distribution and commercial strategy having written many books and studies on the topic that explain and anticipate how digital disruption will impact the economics of hotels.
Estis Green has been named to Cornell Hotel Society’s prestigious Hall of Fame, honored with HSMAI’s Vanguard Award for leadership in moving the field of revenue optimization toward a focus on profit contribution and was only the second woman inducted into the HFTP Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame.
Estis Green’s background include roles as a corporate brand marketing executive, hotel general manager and founder and leader of two successful data analytics companies. She holds a B.S. from Cornell University and an MBA from The American University.
Tanya Venegas, MBA, MHM
Business Intelligence Panelist
Tanya Venegas, MBA, MHM is the Global Head of Customer Success for HotStats, a monthly profit-and-loss data benchmarking platform. In this role she establishes global initiatives for HotStats and leads the Customer Success team in providing customer service to HotStats clients including onboarding, education, and continued support.
Prior to joining HotStats, Tanya was the Executive Director and HFTP Fellow of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals Research Institute at the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership. Tanya is on the HFTP Greater Houston Chapter board and has served on multiple HFTP councils and committees. In 2021, Tanya received the Paragon Award from HFTP which is given to an individual that has made a significant and lasting contribution to the global hospitality finance or technology industry.
She regularly speaks at industry events and has written numerous articles for global hospitality finance and technology publications.
Hannah Smith
Business Intelligence Panelist
Hannah Smith is a Senior Analyst on the Product Analytics and Insights team of STR (STR, Inc.). STR provides clients from multiple market sectors with premium, global data benchmarking, analytics, and marketplace insights. STR was acquired in October 2019 by CoStar Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSGP), the leading provider of commercial real estate information, analytics and online marketplaces.
Hannah previously worked on the Consulting team for STR, focusing on providing custom data and analytics solutions to clients using STR’s extensive database. Today, on the Product Analytics and Insights team, she works to enhance STR’s product offerings through the CoStar platform.
She is an experienced and respected speaker at industry conferences and events, and assists in the production of industry articles, reports, and videos. Hannah earned her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.
Bob Coleman
Lending Panel Moderator
Bob Coleman is the Author of “Money Money Everywhere and Not a Drop for Main Street.” He is the founder of Coleman Publishing, a publisher of newsletters, reports, data, conferences, webinars, online training videos — to help finance professionals become small business lending experts.
Bob is the nationally recognized expert on small business financing. He has appeared frequently on Fox Business News, NPR and other numerous media outlets. He is sourced by all print media. He is a frequent speaker about small business lending throughout the US and EU. Bob has a BA in Medieval History from the University of California Santa Barbara and a MBA in Real Estate Finance from the University of Southern California.
Bob has earned numerous awards as a producer of events and video training.
His passion is getting capital to Main Street and Rural American small business.
Ross Kohl
Lending Panelist
Ross Kohl brings 30 years of SBA and commercial lending experience to Arizona Capital Source. He has spent a total of over 13 years at ACS in business development and underwriting roles.
Ross has worked in SBA lending at several banks in positions ranging from credit analysis, underwriting, business development and management. He has dedicated the vast majority of his career to helping small businesses obtain financing to assist them in their growth and success.
Ross has also volunteered through the years with several charities and non-profits including Junior Achievement, Hunger Task Force, Fiesta Bowl, and was a board member and treasurer for Paradise Valley North Little League.
Ross earned a B.B.A. Degree from the University of Wisconsin and M.B.A. Degree from Western International University.
Ross is married and has 2 grown sons. He enjoys playing golf and team sports, going to the gym, and hanging out with his family and friends.
Scott A. Foster, MBA
Lending Panelist
Scott Foster operates at the intersection of hospitality acquisitions and the financing these projects require, helping his clients effectively navigate the SBA 7a, SBA 504, SBA 7a Pari Passu and USDA programs.
As a 29-year seasoned banking veteran, Scott has financed over $1 billion in acquisition projects spanning all 50 states.
Referral sources and clients turn to Scott for practical, responsive, and strategic advice related to acquisition financing, acquisition financing with improvements (PIP’s) and ground up construction.
Scott combines his underwriting experience, his credit management and business development experience to lend up to $25,000,000 per project.
Robert S. Weaver
Lending Panelist
Rob Weaver brings over 18 years of lending experience encompassing residential and commercial sectors. He co-founded Peoples Bank Mortgage, where he currently serves as Chief Mortgage Officer. Additionally, he holds the position of Senior VP of Business Development at Peoples Bank, specializing in hospitality financing. His expertise proved vital during the Covid-19 pandemic, where he led a dedicated team and assisted numerous small businesses in accessing crucial government relief programs.
Rob’s focus centers on government-backed lending programs, with a strong emphasis on SBA and USDA initiatives. His unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service and value to his clients has helped numerous small business owners achieve their financial goals.
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Rob holds a B.S. in international business and has cultivated extensive international experience through his studies and travel. He’s an avid tennis player who cherishes the time spent with his wife and two young daughters.