Staff Member Spotlight: Carly Kay

The human resources department is mostly behind the scenes, but their work is critical in hiring and developing the talented people who are responsible for the high level of customer service for which the Cobb Galleria Centre has become known.

Leading this effort is Carly Kay, the Director of Human Resources for the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority. She supervises a small team responsible for recruitment, employee relations, benefits, compensation, training, development, payroll and labor relations for Cobb Galleria Centre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre and ArtsBridge Foundation.

“You definitely need to love people on an extra level,” said Kay of the requirements of the job, which she has held for the past six years.

Kay said she is proud to have developed an employee-centric work environment that includes diversity and inclusion efforts, celebrating employees and incorporating wellness initiatives. Directing human resources during the COVID-19 pandemic has been especially challenging, however Kay says she enjoys being part of a workplace where there is so much employee longevity and people genuinely like coming to work every day.

“One of the coolest things about the company is our ‘All Hands on Deck,’” said Kay, referring to a call for employees to assist during a tight turn of a room set from one event to the next. “Regardless of your title or position, everyone shows up. There are no egos; we are all in it together.”

Kay came to the Centre with human resources experience in a variety of hotel properties and management companies, including Lowes, Omni, Riverside Hotel and Trans Inns Management, where she oversaw human resources for 13 hotels in nine states. A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a degree in Hospitality Management, Kay has her PHR (Professional in Human Resources) certification and is fluent in Spanish.

A Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., native, Kay resides in Marietta with her husband and 16-month-old daughter.