Executive Committee

  • Sara Nelson

    Sara Nelson

    President

  • Charlene Collins

    Charlene Collins

    VP/Administration

  • Brian West

    Brian West

    VP/Development

  • Sean Baumann

    Sean Baumann

    Secretary

    Sean was born into the Hospitality Industry as a second generation representative. His parents, Maggie and Arthur (Buzz, as m…

    More about Sean Baumann ›
  • Sabina Aguirre

    Sabina Aguirre

    Treasurer

  • Denise Ganson

    Denise Ganson

    Past President/Parliamentarian

  • Chris Schafer

    Chris Schafer

    Executive Advisor

    Upon graduating from Middle Tennessee State University in 1995, Chris embarked on a career in the transportation and logistic…

    More about Chris Schafer ›
  •  

Board of Directors

  • Earl Johnson

    Earl Johnson

    Scholarship

  • Jessica Houmes

    Jessica Houmes

    Membership

  • Beth (Elizabeth) O'Connell

    Beth (Elizabeth) O'Connell

    Programming

  • Amy Kennedy

    Fundraising

  • Joemy Vega

    Joemy Vega

    Equity, Inclusion, & Diversity

    With over 20 years in the hospitality industry, Joemy specializes in designing memorable spaces for restaurants, collaboratin…

    More about Joemy Vega ›
  • Martica White

    Martica White

    Marketing

  • Charlene Collins

    Charlene Collins

    NEWH, Inc. Delegate

  • Denise Ganson

    Denise Ganson

    NEWH, Inc. Delegate

Committee Chair

  • Sara Carvajal

    Sara Carvajal

    Hospitality

  •  
Sean Baumann

Sean Baumann

Secretary

Sean was born into the Hospitality Industry as a second generation representative. His parents, Maggie and Arthur (Buzz, as most people call him), are longtime representatives for some of the leading manufacturers in the industry. Graduating in 2009 from Georgetown University with a double major in Management and Operations and Information Management, Sean returned home to join the family business and has never looked back. Sean has been very fortunate to accumulate a group of top manufacturers in their respective categories, providing a extremely strong portfolio for his customers. This is Sean’s second year as NEWH Treasurer and looks forward to future group with the organization.

Chris Schafer

Chris Schafer

Executive Advisor

Upon graduating from Middle Tennessee State University in 1995, Chris embarked on a career in the transportation and logistics industry, commencing his professional journey with US Express, a leading trucking and logistics management company in Orlando, Florida. As Domestic Operations Manager, he was responsible for over $3 million in sales revenues.

After three years in the domestic transportation market, Chris accepted a position with PMG Worldwide as Domestic Shipping and Operations Manager. He swiftly expanded his responsibilities to include international logistics for the company and was subsequently appointed General Manager and Vice President of Global Operations. His key responsibilities included expanding the client base to include prominent organizations such as Campus Crusades, Walt Disney World, and Harris Corporation. Over the subsequent five years, Chris refined his sales and operational expertise in both domestic and international markets through roles as Vice President of Operations with Adcom Worldwide and as a Regional Sales Manager with Xpress Global Systems.

As Co-founder of Installation Service Group (ISG), Chris pioneered innovative methods for asset control and supply chain optimization for clients across the hospitality, construction, design, procurement, and healthcare industries. After 15 years of development, Chris successfully divested ownership of the ISG company in 2021.

At the close of 2021, Chris joined JCQ Services, Inc., to develop their warehouse and logistics program and cultivate client relationships. JCQ Services is a General Contractor with over 25 years of experience, having renovated more than 250,000 rooms in the Central Florida market. The company boasts the largest warehouse footprint in the Central Florida hospitality industry, exceeding 350,000 sqft. Their proven track record includes collaborations with esteemed clients such as Universal Studios, Travel + Leisure, Legoland, and Walt Disney World. Chris’s core belief centers on enhancing client projects and contributing positively to the industry in which he operates.

Joemy Vega

Joemy Vega

Equity, Inclusion, & Diversity

With over 20 years in the hospitality industry, Joemy specializes in designing memorable spaces for restaurants, collaborating with Fortune 500 companies and renowned brands. As a South American woman and the founder of DV Studio in Orlando, Florida, her focus is on creating inviting environments for restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues, guided by their ethos, “We design spaces that make you feel you belong.”

Serving as a board director for the Sunshine Chapter of NEWH, located in Orlando, Florida, Joemy is dedicated to advocating for diversity and inclusion. She emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities that reflect and celebrate the diversity of the community.

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