Valerie Lipscomb Beeson
Director of Marketing
Valerie graduated from The University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication with a focus in Broadcast Journalism from The Grady College of Mass Communications with a minor in Anthropology. She began her career in Public Relations at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, moving into the Travel Industry Sales & E-Commerce side of the business marketing to the leisure segment. Valerie traveled extensively to meet with top industry accounts around the United States to bring awareness to Greene County and Lake Oconee, and with a small support team, hit record room night numbers for the resort during a down economy in both 2009 and 2010. She was nominated for the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association Manager of the Year award and was selected for the national, coveted J. Williard Marriott Award of Excellence. She was awarded the President’s Circle Award for Sales Achievement and Leader of the Quarter and launched the resort’s first-ever social media program. Valerie was the Director of Economic Development for Greene County, managing the multi-million dollar marketing budget and campaigns for Visit Lake Oconee. She also had the privilege of serving as the Executive Director for the Lake Oconee Academy Foundation, raising $3.2 million dollars for a campus expansion in rural Georgia. At ESP, Valerie managed the expansion of ESP to other locations, assisted the CEO with writing her book and speaking engagements, and leads the marketing team in their efforts. Valerie has served in many capacities in the community, including The Greene County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Greene County Tourism Board Chairman and Board of Directors, Festival Hall Board of Directors, Private Sector Representative for Greene County for the NEGRC on behalf of the Greene County Board of Commissioners, the Greene County College and Career Academy Steering Committee, and volunteers locally. Valerie lives in Oconee County, Georgia, with her husband, Paul, and three children (Baxter, Mary Hayes & Scarlett).