Lynda Lee Smith
Founder and
Chairperson of the Board
Lynda has made appearances on 150+ television and radio talk shows as a spokesperson for various causes while also serving as a television show host. She was chosen as “Top 40 under 40 Business Executives in Georgia” by Georgia Trend Magazine in 2004. Ford Motor Company honored her with the “Life in Drive” Award in 2006 presented to only seven women nationwide.
She has initiated and hosted three world conferences bringing together government leaders from over 30 countries to discuss issues concerning vulnerable populations around the world. Her expertise in the field of children’s issues led to her serving on the Harvard Law School Advocacy Workgroup in 2005. Lynda is recognized by her peers for bringing the “impossible” to life.
She is an international speaker/author/podcast host who has presented to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva, Switzerland; and also the Permanent Bureau of International Law in The Hague, Netherlands. The majority of her career has been spent in the non-profit sector dedicated to impacting lives for various causes from health, housing, abuse and human trafficking.
Lynda spent her youth on the back roads of southeast Georgia then after college met her husband, Doug, on St. Simons Island. The two married and relocated a few years later to Johns Creek where they live with their daughter.
She began her career in economic development and tourism as an executive director for a convention and visitors bureau. Years later, she had the privilege of chairing the Johns Creek Convention and Visitors Bureau for eight years.
Currently, she serves on the board of Sales Leverage and My Watchman (Liberia).
Carrie Burns
Board Member
Carrie is a seasoned entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the film tourism industry. Her journey began with a passion for connecting people and a keen interest in film. She co-founded Atlanta Movie Tours, where she served as CEO and Chief Movie Buff, immersing herself in the Georgia film scene.
Carrie's knack for building strong teams, fostering trust, and demonstrating exceptional leadership skills allowed her to navigate the complexities of running a small business. Her dedication to showcasing Georgia's film industry, from popular filming locations to collaborations with various tour companies and industry stakeholders, became her daily mission.
Carrie's love for travel, film, and networking drove her to transition from web development to film tourism. Her decade-long dedication to learning and growth in these industries has culminated in the creation of captivating tours, engaging stories, and compelling content that strengthen the connection between fans and the magic of cinema. With a knack for blending professionalism and a casual, fun-loving approach, Carrie continues to make waves in the world of film tourism, creating unforgettable experiences for enthusiasts and industry professionals alike.
Larry DiBiase
Board Member
Larry DiBiase currently sits on the Johns Creek, Georgia City Council and is the Founder and Principal Broker at SparkPoint, LLC, a real estate brokerage and investment firm. Earning multiple degrees from Canisius College and the State University of New York with an Accounting Degree, Geography, and International Business, Mr. DiBiase began his career in the Software industry.
Over 20 years, Mr. DiBiase worked for household names such as IBM, EDS, Cincom, and Melita International traveling the world to open new markets and build operation centers to support growth. Throughout his career, he was consistently elevated to leadership positions reaching Executive Senior Vice President. His experience in creating management teams provided a strong foundation to build a successful commercial and investment company called SparkPoint with projects throughout Georgia.
Mr. DiBiase has lived in Georgia for over 34 years where he and his wife of 23 years have raised their son and daughter. In his free time, Larry enjoys cycling with friends and has completed the 3 Gap Mountain Challenge. At times he likes to test his driving skills on the race track and unplug by mountaineering, where he summited some of the highest mountains in the world.
Ray Ezelle
Board Member
Ray Ezelle, a senior hospitality sales, marketing, event, and business development executive, serves as the executive director at Discover Dunwoody, the destination marketing organization (DMO) responsible for promoting tourism within the thriving city just north of Atlanta, located in the heart of the Perimeter.
Ezelle brings years of industry experience and knowledge to the Discover Dunwoody team. Before his start in 2021, Ezelle served as Vice President of Sales, Sports, and Services with Visit Virginia Blue Ridget; Executive Vice President of Business Development, Connections Housing with Suwanee, Georgia; Vice President of Connect Meetings with Norcross, Georgia; and Area Director of Sales and Marketing, PCH
Hotels – Resort Collection on Alabama RTJ Golf Trail, in Florence and Montgomery, Alabama. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ray founded Total Hospitality Industry Solutions (THIS) in Suwanee.
Ezelle received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and now resides in Suwanee, Georgia, with his wife, Stephanie. They have four sons and three dogs. Ray enjoys playing golf and cheering on the Atlanta Braves, Dallas Cowboys, and SEC Football.
Lee McMichael
Board Member
Lee’s varied career has been similar to a huge road trip with several detours in between. Seeking to retire in 2024, he will leave behind a trail of television, tourism and hospitality. His TV career was at WALB in Albany, GA with the dual titles of Promotions and Public Service Director. His next stop was working for two churches, one in Georgia and the other in Louisiana as Media Director.
He returned to Georgia and began a career in tourism, working at the Rainwater Conference Center as a DOS in his hometown of Valdosta. From there McMichael fully immersed himself in that tourism path at the Hendry Co. EDC in Florida as Tourism Director for the county. That led him out west to Arizona, assuming the Tourism Director position for the City of Page. When it was time for another road trip, he returned to his birth state of Georgia as Tourism Manager for the city of Gainesville and from there another DOS position with the Hampton Inn in Helen, managed by Strand Hospitality Services.
Lee and his wife Mary have two adult children and currently live in the northeast corner of Georgia in Lula. McMichael enjoys hiking, kayaking, working out and watching old movies (pre-1970). He’s a proud graduate of the University of Georgia School of Journalism and is hoping for a three-peat! Go Dawgs!
Bari Holmes
Board Member
Bari Schlam Holmes is the founder and CEO of Pivotal Events, an event production company dedicated to creating strategic, high-impact experiences for corporate, government, and nonprofit clients. Known for her ability to bring bold ideas to life with flawless execution, Bari leads a team that specializes in planning and producing events that are as polished as they are memorable.
With over two decades of industry expertise, including a standout role in Georgia’s film industry where she became known for designing extravagant on-location setups, Bari now channels that same creative energy and operational excellence into every Pivotal event.
Amanda Dyson-
Thornton
Ex-Officio Board Member
Amanda is the Executive Director of the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus (GACVB), bringing over 15 years of experience in Georgia’s tourism and hospitality industry. She has an impressive background in destination marketing and membership management, most recently serving as the Director of Membership at the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB), where she excelled in fostering strong relationships and delivering innovative initiatives.
Dyson-Thornton’s career began at ACVB in 2004, where she held multiple roles across
marketing, sales, and visitor services. Her unwavering positivity and can-do attitude
have always been applauded by colleagues. A proud Atlanta native, she holds a BFA in
Theatre from Valdosta State University and is a certified Travel Marketing Professional
(TMP) through the Southeast Tourism Society.
At GACVB, Amanda is committed to uniting Georgia’s Hospitality Industry, advocating
for policies that enhance tourism, and empowering industry professionals with
resources to grow their destinations. Her passion for travel-driven economic
development and community impact makes her a dynamic leader for Georgia’s thriving
tourism sector.
Amanda lives in Tucker Ga with her husband, Craig, and her two children, Adam and
Lily.
Laurie Poole
Board Member
Laurie Poole is a tourism advocate, community leader, and Film & Media Liaison for McIntosh County, Georgia. Her goals are community engagement and advancing Georgia's position as a premier destination for visitors, productions, and events. With more than 30 years of experience as a professional photographer, she brings a unique understanding of visual storytelling, destination marketing, and the creative industries.
Laurie currently serves on the Advisory Board of Directors for the Darien-McIntosh Chamber of Commerce and is an organizer and Race Director for Party Gras on the Coast, a charity cycling event that attracts participants from across the United States and Canada, generating significant economic impact while raising funds for local charities. She also serves on the Board as Secretary and Promotions Coordinator for Friends of Kit Jones, helping preserve and promote one of Coastal Georgia's most significant maritime heritage landmarks. Through her work in tourism, film, community development, and historic preservation, Laurie has built strong partnerships that showcase Georgia's unique coastal culture and drive sustainable economic growth.
An avid hiker and CrossFit enthusiast, she is passionate about adventure travel and outdoor recreation with her family and dogs.
Tracy Goode
Board Member
Tracy Goode, a Georgia-born producer/director, actor, and entrepreneur, is Co-Founder and COO of Do Process USA and Co-Owner and CEO of The Levee Studios, helping organizations strengthen communications, training, and operational effectiveness.
Tracy has led projects for organizations across the country in business, government, manufacturing, and the motion picture and music industries. He has also appeared in projects with ABC, Fox Searchlight, Walt Disney Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and Sherwood Pictures - experiences that he loves and appreciates - but doesn't take too seriously, as he claims he has a "face for radio".
He and his wife, Teresa, live in Albany, Georgia, and have one daughter, Abby, who is married and lives in Lakeland, Florida.