2015 GUEST SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS

CINNAMON ALVAREZ

Cinnamon Alvarez & Company

Owner

Native Californian, artist, entrepreneur, coach and aspiring best selling author, Cinnamon's passion for life shows in all aspects of her work and her reputation. She leverages her knowledge in the areas of positive psychology, behavioral sciences and cognitive conditioning as well as her experience as a three time successful business owner to help others realize their dreams and generate happiness in every area of their life. The great honor of contributing to others feeds her soul.

WILLIAM BAKER

Jones Baker Design

Principal/Interior Designer

William Baker co-founded Jones Baker Design LLC in 1998. The firm specializes in the conceptual development, design, and architecture of Hospitality projects with a focus on food & beverage venues.

A graduate of The School of Architecture at The University of Texas in Austin, he and interior designer JB Jones have worked together in the design industry for over 23 years. Their successful and award winning projects range from boutique hotels to casual neighborhood taverns, chef driven restaurants to chic ultra lounges.

Prior to founding Jones Baker, William worked as a senior designer with hospitality design firm Duncan & Miller.

He loves to travel and the success of some of their projects has led to international commissions in the Caribbean, Asia and the Middle East. Recent local projects include Remedy, Crushcraft, Kent & Co. Wines, HG SPLY, and Mesomaya.

William and Jones Baker are currently working on the redevelopment of the Dallas Farmers Market with over 20 retail and restaurant venues and continue to be a presence with local, national and international projects.

BARBARA BEST-SANTOS

Gensler

Northwest Region Hospitality Practice Area Leader

Barbara has a distinguished career in interior design, having co-directed her own firm, Best Santos Studio, from 1998 to 2008. Barbara specializes in boutique hotels, spas, and restaurants, as well as large-scale hotels and resorts. She has experience working on projects both in the U.S. and abroad, in locations such as China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Guam.

CARY J. BROUSSARD

Broussard Global Communication

Author / From Cinderella to CEO

Cary is CEO of Broussard Global Communications, author of the business book From Cinderella to CEO – How to Master the 10 Lessons of Fairy Tales to Improve Your Work Life and host of the popular podcast – Cinderella CEO “On Air.”

Well known for creating the award winning Women On Their Way travel program for Wyndham International, Cary drove program revenues to $200 million over a three-year period and eventually became SrVP of Diversity for Wyndham. Dow Jones, under Cary’s leadership cited Women On Their Way as the “gold standard” of women’s marketing programs for Wall Street.

Cary’s book, From Cinderella to CEO, is published in ten languages with a sequel coming out in early 2015. She is a New York University adjunct professor and her clients include Guardian Insurance and Arsenal Teledynamics as well as Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (now Union Bank MUFG). Bank of Tokyo utilized the Cinderella to CEO mentoring program to help drive an increase of 14% more women into management positions. The Cinderella to CEO curriculum was also used in the design of the first Diversity & Inclusion advisory board for the bank.

Making big ideas come true, Cary and the Broussard Global team work with business leaders across all industries to design and implement bold, brand-defining marketing programs that make dreams come true for their clients, employees and partners.

Board Activities:
Women Impacting Public Policy, National Board Member
Conscious Capitalism –Founding Board Member, Dallas Chapter
Dallas Press Club – Board Member
Hospitality Industry Diversity Institute Advisory Board, University of Houston ~Conrad Hilton School
NYU Tisch Center of Hospitality, Travel and Tourism - Friends of Tisch and Adjunct Faculty

Background and websites:
www.broussardglobal.com
www.cinderellaceo.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carybroussard

TED BRUMLEVE

Dolce Hotels and Resorts

Director of Design and Construction / Adjunct Professor, NYU Tisch Center

Ted Brumleve is Director of Design and Construction at Dolce Hotels and Resorts. He is responsible for all brand involvement in hotel and conference center programming and planning, design, construction, and interiors.

Prior to joining Dolce, Ted served as Vice President Technical Services for Virgin Hotels North America, LLC where he supported Virgin’s efforts in brand launch, real estate analysis, design, and the development of brand standards. Ted previously directed project management services for Warnick + Company, opening a New York office for the Phoenix-based hospitality consultancy, and he was a managing partner at BBG-BBGM, internationally respected hotel architects and interior designers.
Since graduating from the University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture & Art, Mr. Brumleve has worked globally on a broad range of projects, frequently speaks at hotel and tourism events, and has authored numerous articles within the lodging industry media. He has also served on the planning committee for the NYU International Hospitality Investment Conference.

MISTY DELBRIDGE

Montague

Vice President

Misty has been passionately establishing Montague as a industry leader in custom hospitality furniture for the last 19 years. Her education in Interior Design gives insight into her clients expectations, as well as a drive to create uniquely inspired product. It is her collaborative, problem solving approach with her team and clients that excites her most about being in the Hospitality Industry. She is a pioneer of the ever-changing world of custom casegoods and a fervent advocate for bringing furniture manufacturing back to America.

STACY ELLISTON

studio 11 design

Principal

Studio 11 Design partner Stacy Elliston has been transforming hotel owner’s interior design dreams into reality for the past 17 years. Stacy has honed her client-focused design philosophy by actively listening to what clients desire for their spaces. She is committed to keeping owners keenly involved in design, budget and schedule planning as well as harboring a creative freedom for the designers within the firm. Stacy got her start in interiors at the Art Institute of Dallas, where she graduated with honors and earned her degree in Interior Design. From there, she began to develop her client focused philosophy by working in all aspects of design and project management. From initial concept design and budget management to purchasing, brand correspondence and installation, she realized the importance of client-to-designer relationships, an insight that she has ingrained into her design process.

After graduation, Stacy began building her portfolio with a major firm and shaping her design aesthetic. She has worked around the globe, helping with the design of the Al Bateen Palace & Villas and the Burj Al Arab in the United Arab Emirates along with the Four Seasons in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she began to give life to the designs inspired by her world travels. She has worked with such acclaimed brands as MVCI, Marriott, Hilton, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts and numerous historically significant properties and many boutique hotel and resort proprietors internationally.

With her beginnings as a resource librarian, she realized early on her interest and passion for the resource and sourcing portion of the business. She continues to look for and be inspired by the ever evolving sources used for and in design projects. As co-creator at Studio 11 Design, Stacy has truly implemented her client-focused attitude along with her passion of mentoring the designers that work with her into the firm’s foundation. She is dedicated to creating honest and communicative relationships with clients, a tenet that gives the company its unique and boutique feel.

NANCY EVANS

The George Washington University

Assistant Professor

Nancy Evans has been an Assistant Professor at the George Washington University for ten years. Prior to full time teaching, she combined teaching with hospitality design, working with partners Ron Holbrook and Andi Werner at Design Studio, LLC in Bethesda, Maryland for over thirty years. Projects included international work in Tokyo as well as more local work for the Walt Disney Corporation, Hilton Hotels and dozens of fabulous restaurants. Her proudest professional achievement is blending her talented NEWH friends with her eager students.

MICHELLE FINN

HMG/ST Media Group Int'l

President, HMC, LLC

Michelle Finn is senior vice president, Hospitality Group, ST Media Group International, and president and co-founder of the Hospitality Media Group LLC formed for purposes of developing and managing trade fairs and events primarily focused on the hospitality industry, worldwide. In these roles, she oversees the management and development of its hospitality and related brands, which encompasses Boutique Design, Boutique Design Trade Fairs: BD|NY and BD| west held on an annual in New York City and San Diego respectively, Boutique Design forum series, Hospitality Match, International Design & Development Conference ( Seoul, Korea) and the management of the International Hotel Motel and Restaurant Show (IHMR), held on an annual basis in New York City.

Previously, Finn spent over twenty-five years with the Nielsen organization ( now known as Emerald Exposition) where she held the position of VP Hospitality Brands responsible for the management and development of HD Expo, Hospitality Design and is the founder HD Boutique Exhibition & Conference (now known as HD Americas) and HD Summit.

Finn has received numerous awards for innovation in trade fair development, publishing, leadership and service. She is a member of the Hospitality Industry Network ( NEWH), American Hotel Lodging Association ( AHLA), Cornell University Innovation Network, Boutique Lifestyle and Lodging Association (BLLA), Urban Land Institute ( ULI), and the International Society of Hospitality Purchasers ( ISHP). Finn serves on the national board of directors of NEWH, BLLA, NIAB and ISHP.

ANDREA GRIGG

JLL - Hotels & Hospitality

Executive Vice President

Current Responsibilities
Ms. Grigg leads the Strategic Advisory and Asset Management practices for North America’s West Coast Region and Mexico. Specifically, she provides asset management services and manages highest and best use studies, market studies, valuation and acquisition due diligence assignments on individual hotels and portfolios, mixed-use master planned communities, and leisure real estate throughout the United States and Mexico. She brings more than 15 years of real estate and hospitality experience. Ms. Grigg is the lead asset manager for the St. Regis Punta Mita, Viceroy Riviera Maya, Thompson Los Cabos (opening 2015), Thompson Playa del Carmen (opening 2015), and the Four Seasons Mexico City.

Experience
Ms. Grigg has completed a wide variety of strategic and financial consulting projects concerning multiple types of real estate assets with locations throughout the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. Representative projects include the large-scale, resort master-planned communities of Punta Mita and El Tamarindo – both of which are situated on the west coast of Mexico. More recent work includes the valuation of the Calistoga Ranch Resort in Napa Valley, Saggio Hills at Healdsburg, Carmel Valley Ranch, Capella Resort and Residences in Los Cabos, St. Regis Resort and Residences in Deer Valley, La Solana Hotel & Residences Punta Mita, H5 Proposed Hotel & Residences Punta Mita, Proposed Thompson Hotel & Residences Los Cabos, Amangiri Resort and Residences in Utah, Snowmass Village in Colorado, Dancing Bear in Aspen, Sky Lodge in Park City, St. Regis Punta Mita, and the Tides Riviera Maya. Most recent Seattle work includes: feasibility study and appraisal of the Proposed SLS Seattle on 5th Avenue, Proposed Hotel and Residential Apartments on 5th Avenue and Virginia St., Proposed W Hotel @ Lincoln Square in Bellevue, and the Proposed Redmond Hotel Development.

Most recent public institutions real estate assessments, hotel feasibility and economic impact assignments include:
• San Francisco International Airport Proposed Hotel – Hotel Development Advisor, Feasibility Study and Economic Impact Study, Business Risk Analysis
• Peer Review Study for Moscone Convention Center Expansion 1998 Feasibility Study
• Moscone Convention Center Expansion Scenarios - Highest & Best Analysis
• Lodging Market Forecasting Study for the City of San Francisco
• Impact Assessment of Potential Changes in Per Room Value Averages for Tourist Hotels located within the City of San Francisco Zone 1 and 2
• Peer Review Study for Hotel Convention Center Headquarter in Savannah, GA including Peer Review of Feasibility Study and Economic Impact Study for the Proposed Hotel

Ms. Grigg was a Transactions Manager for Lynch Investments, LLC from May 2004 through January 2007, where she was active in all stages of transaction origination and execution. Ms. Grigg served as Vice President of Contact Development Corporation from December 1998 through February 2004, where she managed the areas of analyzing, “packaging” and marketing resort/hospitality and mixed-use real estate investments.
Education

Ms. Grigg graduated from the University of Morón School of Tourism in Argentina in 1995. Ms. Grigg is fluent in both English and Spanish. She is an active member of the ULI and HAMA.

NIGEL HATCHER

Marriott International

Senior Dir., Interior Design

Nigel Hatcher brings over 30 years of interior design experience in the hospitality industry to his position as Senior Director of Interior Design for Marriott Hotels, JW Marriott, Renaissance Hotels and Autograph Collection Hotels. He currently oversees quality assurance for the brands and liaises with Brand Management in order to maintain brand voice and brand strategy. Nigel is passionate about all aspects of design, providing strategic leadership in the execution of innovative brand strategies. He is committed to design excellence, fostering creative design, mentoring staff, and maintaining Marriott International’s exemplary design and brand standards.

Nigel and his team are currently focusing on the implementation of the new Marriott Hotels Design Strategy and the recently updated JW Marriott and Renaissance Hotels Design Strategies. Currently overseeing over 200 renovation and new build projects, Nigel brings a wealth of experience managing diverse project scopes around North America. Successfully
directing multiple projects simultaneously, he collaborates closely with clients, contractors, and consultants to meet individual project requirements while maintaining design integrity and preserving Marriott’s high quality standards. A valuable asset to Marriott’s Global Design Division, Nigel has been instrumental in evolving the look and feel of Marriott’s full service brands, placing an emphasis on brand integrity, sophistication and innovative design.

Prior to joining Marriott, Nigel worked internationally with several leading design firms, including Harrods Interior Design, TBV Inston, and RPW Design Partnership, gaining a unique understanding and expertise for a variety of brands throughout the world. He holds a degree in Art and Interior Design from Suffolk University, has his Certificate in Computer Aided Design from the University of Toronto, and is a member of the Chartered Society of Designers.

LISA HAUDE

Paradigm Design Group

President

Lisa A. Haude is a well-respected interior designer who specializes in hospitality design, with a reputation for creating a masterful story in the work she and her group undertake. As head of her own firm for the last fifteen years, Lisa has enjoyed working with most of the major hotel brands all over the world to create one of a kind designs tailor made for their specific setting.

“Every project is a new adventure, and we treat it as just that, with in depth research, story boards, and concept development, much like if we were writing a book. Each step leads us to the next step in a managed but openly creative approach. No idea is disregarded. We use the synergy of our different backgrounds, preferences, and things we’ve seen, to create something different every time.”

Lisa has served as the President of Paradigm Design Group for the last fifteen years, but prior to starting her own firm, was affiliated with Deborah Lloyd Forest Associates, Bristol Hotels & Resorts, and Mitchell Carlson Stone, Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design from Baylor University, and has served as Editorial Advisory of the NEWH Magazine, as well as various consultative roles for leading hospitality resources.

Lisa and her business partner and husband Carl live in Magnolia, just north of Houston with their daughter Isabella. Between work and family life, the Haude’s enjoy relaxing at home or traveling all over the world.

GLENN HAUSSMAN

Hotel Interactive

Editor-in-Chief

Glenn Haussman is Hotel Interactive's Editor-In-Chief, where he manages all editorial content for the hotel industry’s leading online information resource. In addition to publishing the daily magazine, he hosts a weekly on demand radio show and develops educational content for the company’s BITAC and HI Connect Design events.

With more than 15 years in the hotel industry, Glenn enjoys the world of hospitality and traveler as an observer of trends, educator and guest. He is known for his lightning rod viewpoints on controversial lodging industry issues.

As a frequent moderator and speaker at leading events he uses a unique motivational style and viewpoint to get people to rethink what’s considered conventional thinking. His weekly radio show style podcast attracts the biggest names in hospitality as guests.

He has also served as an adjunct professor at New York University teaching classes in Consumer Behavior at the Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism, and Sports Management.

Glenn is sought out as an industry expert and is frequently quoted in leading publications such as the New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post, MSNBC.com, CNN.com, Chicago Tribune and many more.

WILLIAM LANGMADE

Purchasing Management International

President

WILLIAM G. LANGMADE – PRESIDENT / CEO – LEED® ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL
Mr. Langmade attended the University of Southern California and Pepperdine University where he received a B.S. degree in Business Administration and an M.B.A. respectively. He also attended Western States University, College of Law. In addition to his over 25 years’ experience in hospitality purchasing, Mr. Langmade has held positions as Vice President Development of the Continental Companies, a hospitality management firm in Miami, Florida, and West Coast Asset Manager for Senior Corporation, the real estate workout firm for the Continental Mortgage Investors Real Estate Investment Trust.

Mr. Langmade is well known as one of the top purchasing agents in the country. Purchasing Management International, L.P., began its history in 1982 and is an independently owned Texas Limited Partnership. William Langmade is President and principal of the company with over 30 years of hospitality construction, management and purchasing experience. PMI has purchased and installed over $2 billion dollars in hotel, resort and casino furnishings, operating equipment and systems worldwide and continues to be one of the leading independent contract purchasing companies nationally and internationally. PMI’s services include FF&E purchasing for hospitality renovation and new construction, operating supplies purchasing, and advisory services for capital budgeting, inventories, and due diligence for acquisitions and valuations. PMI is also the leading purchasing agent in the gaming purchasing industry.

He has been active in speaking engagements regarding renovations and new construction at the International Hotel & Restaurant Show in New York as well as NEWH and AH&LA functions throughout the country. He has also contributed to articles in Hotels Magazine, Hotel Business, Lodging, Casino Design Magazine, Hospitality Design Magazine and Hotel Spec publications.

Mr. Langmade has been a member of the Allied Executive Committee of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and participates at its annual Legislative Action Summit in Washington D.C.. Additionally, he is a board member of the Association of Starwood Franchisees & Owners Association (ASFONA) and is an Founding Member of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). Mr. Langmade is a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP), as well as an active member of the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality (NEWH).

In addition, Mr. Langmade has been awarded membership in Hospitality Design Magazine’s prestigious Platinum Circle for his company’s achievements in the design purchasing industry.

MANDY LI

Mandy Li Collection

President

Mandy Li, a consummate entrepreneur, was born and raised in Chong Qing, China. Determined to explore opportunities and education, Mandy traveled to Germany and finally the USA where she attended Indiana University. Her early interests included acting, TV and Film production, as well as owning/producing Television commercials in China. Through travel between China and the U.S., Mandy leveraged her relationships and in 1996 founded Great Wall International where she dedicated herself to importing natural stone for the growing opportunities in multifamily, healthcare, and hospitality.

Mandy continued to expand her knowledge in the field, becoming passionate for the development of interior finishes and production of cabinetry and fine case goods. In 2010 Mandy Li Collection was launched, to rebrand her product portfolio which at that time included natural stone, quartz, case goods and interior doors. Today Mandy Li Is devoted to the day to day operations in Alhambra California, satellite offices in China, and overseeing manufacturing facilities in both Shanghai and Xiamen China. Recent product launches include FuZion Quartz and focusing on wood embellished upholstery collections for 2015.

BILL LINEHAN

Red Lion Hotels Corporation

Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer

Bill Linehan joined RLHC in February 2014 as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. He has more than 25 years of hospitality experience, most recently as Chief Marketing Officer and Managing Director at Richfield Hospitality and Sceptre Hospitality Resources, where he led the sales, marketing and resource management activities surrounding the company's portfolio of hotels and resorts. At Sceptre, Linehan repositioned the company to become a global leader of hotel revenue technologies. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Global Marketing for InterContinental Hotels Group where he established the marketing to re-launch seven IHG brands to the development community. Linehan also previously served as Global Vice President of Marketing, Brand Alignment and Partnerships for Starwood Hotels and Resorts and held sales and marketing positions with both Hyatt and Sheraton.

NEIL LOCKE

Neil Locke & Associates, LLC

Principal

Neil Locke is a veteran of the hospitality business with more than 41 years of experience. Mr. Locke is Principal of Neil Locke & Associates, a boutique hospitality procurement company with offices in Itasca Illinois, Dallas Texas, and Miami Florida. Neil spent seven years working in hotel operations and hotel purchasing departments in several Asian cities during the early part of his hospitality career.

Neil has experience in virtually every aspect of hospitality purchasing. Neil Locke & Associates currently provides purchasing services to many well-known hotel clients.

Mr. Locke is a co-founder and was the first President of the ISHP (International Society of Hospitality Purchasers), and is currently co-chairman of ISHP’s Fundraiser for Hollywood Heart an organization that provides summer camping experiences for children affected and effected by Aids as well as moviemaking opportunities for inner city children. ISHP has raised more than $2,000,000.00 for Hollywood Heart over the past 13 years. Neil was honored by Hospitality Design magazine in 1997 and was inducted into the Prestigious Platinum Circle.

Mr. Locke speaks frequently at hospitality industry events and is quoted regularly in hospitality trade magazines. As Mr. Locke said “I never met a microphone I didn’t like.”

A graduate cum laude of Claremont Men’s College (now Claremont McKenna), Neil resides in Arlington Heights, Illinois with his wife, Susan, and has three daughters, Melissa, Tara, and Brittany.

GRACE MACHADO McCLURG

Puccini Group

Design Director

In her role as Design Director, Grace Machado McClurg oversees the Puccini Group design studio, as well as project direction, organization and the company’s design standards. Having previously worked as Senior Project Designer for The Gettys Group, and before that as Designer at WATG, Grace has had the opportunity to design projects across the globe, honing her coordination skills and working in every phase of the design process.

As a seasoned designer, Grace enjoys working collaborating with a team of talented designers as they work to build out Puccini Group’s domestic and international portfolios. She, alongside experienced leadership, looks to enhance the design studio’s global impact and to expand the studio’s overall scope of work.

Grace graduated with a BFA in Interior Architectural Design after discovering a passion for how people interact with and move through built space. Grace’s other passion lies with sustainability and maintaining natural environments. Grace is a LEED accredited professional and was on the winning team for the Inaugural 2010 Sustainable Suite design competition. Grace revels in a challenge, particularly when considering sustainable practices and determining the best use of sustainable materials when designing hospitality spaces.

MEG PRENDERGAST

The Gettys Group

Principal

Meg brings nearly three decades of hospitality design experience to the firm. Her broad project experience includes all aspects of hospitality design from client relationship management, programming and concepting throughout an entire project.

As our luxury expert, Meg’s portfolio includes destination luxury resorts, luxury spas and social and business traveler upscale hotels. Meg holds an Associates Degree in Fine Arts from Harrington College of Interior Design, is an active member of the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality and a variety of local Chicago committees.

JANICE PROVOST

Parigi

Chef/Owner

Janice Provost is the Executive Chef and owner of Parigi, a 30 year old bistro in Dallas. When she is not cooking in the kitchen or catering, you will find her giving her time to the community through her involvement in several organizations.

A pioneer in the local food movement, Janice has been a supporter of local Farmers and Ranchers since becoming a chef. She has a plot at the Promise of Peace Community Garden, and is a member of the Dallas Farmers Market Friends, and Chefs for Farmers.

Janice is dedicated to the education of future generations interested in the
Culinary Arts, and through her membership in Les Dames d’ Escoffier, and The Greater Dallas Restaurant Association, she has helped raise over $400,000 in scholarship funds for students to learn their craft.

Volunteering as a culinary instructor for the North Texas Food Bank, Janice teaches students the basics of cooking at The Dallas County Youth Village. She is also a Co-Founder, and Vice Chair of Café Momentum, a non profit restaurant which helps disadvantaged young adults, and displaced individuals, pursue a career in the restaurant industry.

Building a sustainable future through education, mentorship, and community are what Janice Provost is hoping to achieve, one plate at a time.

BRIAN QUINN

Red Lion Hotels Corporation

Senior Vice President and Chief Franchise Officer

Brian Quinn joined Red Lion Hotels Corporation as Senior Vice President and Chief Franchise Officer in May 2014. He oversees hotel franchise development opportunities, facilitating expansion of the RLHC brands across the United States. With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Quinn most recently served as Executive Vice President of Development at Driftwood Hospitality Management and Vice President of Upscale Development for InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), overseeing growth of the Crowne Plaza and Hotel Indigo brands across key markets including the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. During his 20 years with IHG, Brian also held leadership positions in franchise services, owner relations and hotel operations. Previously, he served in franchise development for Hilton Hotels Corporation.

ABRAHAM SALUM

Salum

Chef/Owner

With Lebanese, Italian and Spanish heritage, Abraham Salum grew up in Mexico City and is a graduate of New England Culinary Institute in Montpelier, Vermont. He continued his education by working in kitchens in France, Belgium, Mexico and the United States. His vision is to create restaurants that set standards, rather than following them. Salum is committed to overseeing food and beverage destinations that are celebrated by guests, distinguished by extraordinary food , and staffed by attentive professionals well educated on cuisine and wine. A highlight for chef/owner Abraham was becoming a US Citizen in 2010 as he celebrated the Fifth Anniversary of his popular namesake restaurant and opening Komali to showcase the contemporary Mexican cuisine he grew up with in early 2011.

The recipient of numerous local accolades, Abraham was invited to cook at the famed James Beard House in New York in Oct., 2011 and will return to the Beard house on November of 2013 with a Mexican menu. Chef Salum and Komali were recognized by Esquire Magazine’s food critic John Mariani in his ‘best new restaurants’ issue as leading the trend toward authentic, contemporary Mexican cuisine in the US.

JILL SCHMITZ

Ramsey Purchasing

Senior Project Mgr/Business Development

Jill Schmitz is a Senior Project Manager/Business Development at Ramsey Purchasing, a fee based furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) purchasing firm. During her 9 year tenure at Ramsey Purchasing, she has managed a variety of projects including: Cavallo Point, a historical National Park LEED Gold retreat, a variety of boutique Napa Valley resorts, world-renowned luxury golf resorts and many others. Sustainability is her focus both personally as well as professionally. She is the former Sustainability Director and the current Vice President of Administration with the San Francisco NEWH chapter. Jill has a BA in Theater with a minor in Political Science from UC Davis.

LESLIE SHAMMAS

Fairmont Raffles Hotels International

Executive Director Design and Construction

Leslie brings over 26 years of experience in Architecture, Design & Construction and Technical Services in the hospitality industry. She joined Fairmont Raffles Hotels International in August 2005. She provides Technical Services efforts in the Americas and has recently completed hotels in Vancouver, Canada and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Leslie is responsible for new development and major renovation hotel and residential projects. She is currently guiding projects under construction in Austin, Texas, Fairmont Mayakoba Heritage Place, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Claremont, CA and Sonoma CA.

Prior to joining FRHI, Leslie worked with WATG, Newport Beach for over 17 years, where she was an Senior Associate with the firm. She served as a Project Architect responsible for the design direction, construction documentation, and project management on numerous international hospitality projects; she also directed the Spa Studio within the firm. She has worked on Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, Rosewood, Starwood, and Fairmont projects in Mexico, India, China, US and the Caribbean. Her notable projects are the Four Seasons Mexico City, The Golden Door Spa at the Boulders, Scottsdale, AZ and the Fairmont Mayakoba in the Maya Riviera.

Leslie holds a Bachelors of Architecture degree from the California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo, School of Architecture with a minor in Speech Communication. She is a licensed Architect in the state of California. She lives in the San Francisco area with her family.

SAM SULEMAN

Equinox Hospitality

Principal & Executive Vice President

Mr. Suleman has responsibility for Operations and Development for Equinox Hospitality. He serves on the Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts Board and is the Chairman of the Emerging Leaders Council through his service with the IHG Owners Association. Mr. Suleman is also the Chairman of the InterContinental Hotels Group Technology Council and serves as a member of Hospitality Design Magazine’s Editorial Advisory Board.

RON SWIDLER

The Gettys Group

Vice President

Ron directs all phases of planning, design and strategic thinking for Gettys’ Brand Design projects. Ron has shaped and refined the Gettys project methodology and practice applying them to conceptualizing solutions for single entities and entire brands. Ron was the inventor of the Hotel of Tomorrow Project (H.O.T. Project) a hospitality industry-wide think tank that focused the power of collaboration on innovating the future of hospitality. “Finding the unique DNA of each project, for each client and brand is a collaborative and orchestrated process that ultimately leads to an authentic and lasting solution.”

Ron studied interior design at the University of Illinois where he received a Bachelor of Science degree. He is an active member of the Hospitality Leadership Advisory Board at Kendall College in Chicago, where he has also served as a professor. Ron has traveled the world extensively for projects, speaking engagements and pleasure.

BROOKE TAYLOR

Arcsine Archtecture

Director of Interiors

Brooke joined Arcsine in 2013 to establish the firm’s interiors practice, bringing extensive FF&E experience to the 10-year-old architecture firm. She has worked for two of Interior Design’s Hospitality Giants and on both sides of the country, starting her career with Sue Firestone Associates in Santa Barbara and subsequently designing in ForrestPerkins’ San Francisco and Washington DC offices. She earned her Master of Arts in Interior Design at Marymount University, where she received a scholarship from NEWH; she was honored to pay that generosity forward as the SF Bay Area Chapter’s Scholarship Director in 2013 and 2014, and looks forward to her new role as Membership Director for 2015.

JEANNE VARNEY

School of Hotel Admin./Cornell University

Lecturer

Jeanne Varney is a lecturer at the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University. She resides in the facilities and property management, planning, and design department, where she is responsible for the curriculum in Hospitality Facilities Management and Sustainable Global Enterprise in Hospitality. In Hospitality Facilities Management, she combines the technical facilities curriculum with a practical management perspective. In Sustainable Global Enterprise in Hospitality, she leads students through the principals, methodology, and tactical application of green hotel development and practices.

Outside Cornell, Varney is a principal with Olive Hospitality Consulting, where she provides practical sustainability solutions to businesses looking to improve the “triple bottom line” for their organizations. She has more than 20 years of real estate, operations, and sustainable hospitality experience. Prior to establishing Olive Hospitality Consulting, Varney was vice president of asset management at Host Hotels and Resorts, administering the full range of ownership responsibilities, including operational and capital expenditure budgeting, ongoing operational reviews, and long-term strategic planning for the properties. Varney previously held positions with Marriott International Corporate Headquarters, Horwath Landauer Hospitality Consulting, as well as positions with the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Outside her professional duties, Varney is an international past president for NEWH, Inc. and is a founding member of the NEWH Sustainability Committee. She is also a member of U.S. Green Building Council, Sustainable Hospitality Council, Cornell Real Estate Council, and Cornell Hotel Society. Varney holds a MBA from the George Washington University and a BS degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University.

VANESSA WALDNER

The Ness Group

President

Vanessa has more than 15 years of experience in purchasing, global sourcing and project management in the hospitality industry. She began her career in hospitality under the tutelage of Steve Higgins at HPG in San Francisco. She worked extensively in Asia, completing the W Maldives and Wynn Macau projects, among many other international new builds and renovations. Following her tenure at HPG, Vanessa moved to Canoe, then to PMG, eventually landing her at Turner Townsend Ferzan Robbins in New York. As an Owners’ Representative with TTFR, she worked with many esteemed brands, including Host Hotels, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and JW Marriott International. After several years in her native city, Vanessa chose to return to the Bay Area in 2014 to open her own purchasing company, the Ness Group, in San Francisco. Her current clients include Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Landmark Waterfront in Bangkok and the Irvine Company. The Ness Group specializes in boutique brands with an emphasis on personalized service.

DANIEL WELBORN

The Gettys Group

Principal

As principal in charge of Gettys’ hospitality design practice in the Americas, Dan works in close collaboration with the firm’s clients and Gettys’ US based offices, he forms a strategic vision bringing together the disciplines of planning, architecture and interior design.

Dan is a frequent industry speaker and has taught Interior Design studios at Philadelphia University and was part of the International Association of Conference Centers’ (IACC) Thought Leader Summit.

Dan received his Master of Architecture from the Georgia Institute of Technology and has worked with major hotel brands such as Hyatt, Marriott, Starwood and Hilton.

JONATHAN YOUNG

OW Hospitality

Director of Global Sales

Jonathan has worked in the hospitality industry for over 25 years, and is currently Director of Global Sales for OW Hospitality, a manufacturer of woven Axminster carpet and Handtufted rugs for hotels. His experience has taken him across continents, previously as CEO for Brintons USA, and prior to that as International Sales Director – Hospitality for Milliken & Company.

Jonathan served as Chairman of the British Contract Furnishings Association (BCFA) for 3 years, his tenure ending earlier this year and after many years participating and supporting NEWH events is now pleased to take on the role of Director of Programming for the UK chapter of NEWH.

Awards

Keynote Speakers

JEFFREY BEERS

Jeffrey Beers International

Founder/Principal

JEFFREY BEERS

Jeffrey Beers International

Founder/Principal

SCOTT GERBER

the Gerber Group

Principal and Chief Executive Officer

SCOTT GERBER

the Gerber Group

Principal and Chief Executive Officer

LORI STOHS

Lori Stohs Consulting

Human Capital Consultant

LORI STOHS

Lori Stohs Consulting

Human Capital Consultant

Owners Roundtable Participants

TRAVIS ARBOGAST

ClubCorp

Vice President Development/ Capital Projects

TRAVIS ARBOGAST

ClubCorp

Vice President Development/ Capital Projects

PAUL BIENKOWSKI

Hospitality Design Magazine

Publisher

PAUL BIENKOWSKI

Hospitality Design Magazine

Publisher