Adam’s Mark Promotes New VP To Further Diversity Initiatives

ST. LOUIS— With its very public racial discrimination suit finally resolved, Adam’s Mark Hotels & Resorts is moving forward with its diversity efforts under the direction of a new Vice President of corporate affairs and minority business development, Thomas Monroe. Following in the footsteps of Sharon Harvey Davis, who has been with the company since 1995 and is leaving to spend more time with her family, Monroe will now oversee the company’s minority initiatives, including furthering its minority employee efforts, community involvement, and vendor relationships. Monroe joined Adam’s Mark as its minority business development manager in August 2000. In his new position, he will work to expand the company’s community outreach, target marketing, employment diversity, and Equal Employment Opportunity compliance while maintaining his previous responsibilities. “Right now I’m just trying to get my bearings,” said Monroe, who added that he will be working side-by-side with Harvey Davis until she officially leaves the company in mid-January. “Sharon’s done a great job…I have so much respect for her,” he said, noting that she leaves some pretty big shoes to fill. “My feet are in her shoes, but they’re still swimming around a lot right now.” Initially, Monroe is working to compile the year-end statistics regarding the company’s minority vendor spending. Back in 1999, Adam’s Mark reported over $1 million spent with minority suppliers. As of October 2001, the company had already spent $17 million, year-to-date, with minority vendors. He hopes the year-end numbers will bring that figure up to $20 million. “We’re still not where I want us to be but we’re heading that way,” said Monroe. His aim is to have 5% of Adam’s Mark’s total expenditures spent with minority suppliers— a goal that if the company doesn’t meet this year, he guarantees they will meet in 2002. Monroe said he hopes to eventually bring the company’s minority spending up to the levels of the leaders in this field, like Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Anheuser-Busch, while increasing Adam’s Mark strategic alliances with minority suppliers. He also plans to pursue several new initiatives, including furthering the hotel chain’s involvement in community outreach programs, such as scholarships to help African-American youths pursue careers in hospitality management. He also plans to continue Adam’s Mark Hotels efforts with minority organizations, like the National Black MBA Association and the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners. His first area of responsibility, however, will be working with the Department of Justice regarding issues surrounding its recent legal problems. A lawsuit, which was recently settled, had been filed in late 1999 based on complaints made by attendees of the Black College Reunion, who stayed at the Adam’s Mark Daytona Beach, FL earlier that year. As part of the settlement, Adam’s Mark employees are required to go through diversity training provided by Project Equality, a civil rights organization. “Right now I’m working with Project Equality on a daily basis to ensure our compliance with the Department of Justice,” said Monroe. Despite the recent discrimination lawsuit, Adam’s Mark ranks as one of the leaders in the hospitality industry in terms of employment diversity. Minorities account for over 63% of the hotel chain’s work force, and over 30% of its managers. “In that respect I think that we’re moving in a very positive direction. I like where we’re headed and I’m going to continue to follow that course,” said Monroe.