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2025 ABL CEO LUNCHEON AWARDRECIPIENTSBIOSBIOS
Derrick Morrow Area Vice President & General Manager Hyatt Regency Atlanta Derrick Morrow was named Area Vice President & General Manager of Hyatt Regency Atlanta in March 2020.Derrick was previously Area Vice President & General Manager of Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport. He also served as General Manager of Hyatt Regency Tampa; Regional Vice President of Sales for Hyatt’s Midwest Region; Director of Marketing at Hyatt Regency Chicago; and in other sales leadership positions.Derrick started his Hyatt career at Hyatt Regency Atlanta as Associate Director of Sales in 1991.Derrick has taken leadership roles in each of the communities he has served, supporting local charities, forging partnerships, and championing Hyatt’s Purpose of Caring for our guests, our colleagues, and our community.Derrick has been a national leader in Hyatt’s Change Starts Here initiative, including the company’s commitment to support minority-owned and other businesses.
Hyatt has pledged to make its suppliers look like the communities it serves, and increase its base of Black-owned, minority-owned, women-owned and other businesses significantly by 2025.Hyatt Regency Atlanta has been a leader in this effort, with more than $1 million in new contracts signed with suppliers like these since 2020.Derrick in 2022 was instrumental in launching Hyatt Regency Atlanta’s Minority Vendor Showcase. Now in its fourth year, the event connects minority-owned and other businesses with Hyatt hotels, competitor hotels and other potential buyers, giving the hotel’s small business suppliers more opportunities to expand their businesses, thrive and grow.Derrick serves on the Executive Committee of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Boards of Directors of the Atlanta Sports Council, the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association, Atlanta’s Gateway Center, and other hospitality, business, and community organizations.Derrick is a native of Washington, D.C., and a graduate of Howard University.About Hyatt Regency AtlantaHyatt Regency Atlanta is just minutes from Atlanta’s top attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the King Center and World of Coca-Cola, as well as Atlanta’s famous green parks and paths, vibrant neighborhoods and outdoor dining. The 1,260-room hotel has the most meeting space in market and is home to the iconic Polaris rotating restaurant and lounge. For reservations or more information, visit hyattregencyatlanta.com or call 404-577-1234.
Valerie S. Nesbitt., C.P.M, CPSD, CCA Director Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability Norfolk Southern Corporation Valerie Nesbitt is the Director of Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability at Norfolk Southern, where she leads initiatives to ensure that the company’s contracts provide maximum opportunities for small and diverse businesses. She also serves as the sustainability liaison for the sourcing team, working with suppliers to develop strategies that reduce the company’s carbon footprint. With over 30 years of experience in supply chain management and supplier inclusion, Valerie has held leadership roles at prominent organizations such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, Martin Marietta, and General Electric. Valerie takes great pride in the impact of her work, especially in creating lasting change. Among her many achievements, she is most proud of enhancing the Supplier Inclusion programs at Norfolk Southern and Delta Air Lines. Her leadership in these initiatives not only strengthened the companies' supply chains but also built meaningful relationships with diverse firms across the country. Additionally, in honor of the late Maynard H. Jackson Jr., she conceptualized the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Legacy Awards at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. This event celebrates the contributions of minority contractors and promotes inclusion within the industry.
Valerie's work reflects her commitment to shaping a more inclusive future, and she is proud of the lasting legacy she is building for future generations. A native of Aiken, South Carolina, Valerie is a lifetime Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.), Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD), and Contract Compliance Administrator (CCA). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of South Carolina and a Master’s in Public Administration from Golden Gate University. Valerie is committed to community service, serving on the board of directors for both the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council and the Atlanta Business League. A life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a devoted member of Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral, she is passionate about advancing inclusion, serving others, and making a meaningful impact in her community through both her professional and personal efforts. Valerie and her husband, Donas, reside in Smyrna, Georgia.
2025 ABL CEO LUNCHEON AWARDRECIPIENTSBIOSBIOS