2012 NEWH Governing Board

Julia Davis-Marks
President Elect
NEWH, Inc.
Julia Davis-Marks is President of DesignOverStock, an online resource catalog and Creative Director of Fiori Artes providing art, graphics and website development to the hospitality industry.  With a degree in Art History, a certificate in Website Design and 10 years of experience in hospitality sales and project management, Julia combined her passions and founded two successful business ventures.  In addition, Julia is a marketing consultant for Picture Source.  In her spare time...  Julia enjoys traveling around the world to find good food and wine, golf, and hopefully a little sunshine.

Julia has been a member of NEWH since 2003 when she joined the Northwest Chapter Board of Directors.  After 8 years in various leadership roles on the chapter level and including 3 years on the NEWH Inc Board of Directors as Vice President Events, Julia is proud to have been voted President Elect of such an exceptional organization.

Stacey Berman
Vice President/Membership
NEWH, Inc.
Stacey Berman is President of Berman Purchasing, Inc., a full service procurement firm founded in 2004. Berman Purchasing, Inc. specializes in sourcing furniture, fixtures and equipment for the hospitality industry and is a certified Women's Business Enterprise (WBE). After earning her Bachelor's degree in International Business from Georgetown University in 1992, Stacey went on to work in the procurement departments of such industry leaders as Servico Hotels and Resorts, Marriott International, Inc., and Innkeepers USA Trust. Stacey currently serves as Vice President of Membership for the NEWH, Inc. Governing Board.

Judy Regan
Vice President/Finance
NEWH, Inc.
Judy Regan was owner and ceo of Melrose Shade Company, Los Angeles, until her retirement in early 2005. Established in 1949, Melrose Shade specialized in custom window coverings for hospitality and high-end residential projects. Her nickname is "Shady Lady". With volunteerism a high priority, she joined NEWH in 1985 and became instrumental in the continued development of the LA Founding Chapter. 20 consecutive years of service on the Board of Directors include corresponding and recording secretary, publications director, treasurer, executive vice president, president and executive advisor. She is currently serving as V. P. Finance of NEWH, Inc. She is also involved in the Miracle Mile Lions Club, where Judy's mother became the first woman member in 1987 when women were admitted to Lions Clubs International. Judy completed legal secretarial studies in L.A. and began her legal secretarial career in New York City. She returned to California in 1970 and joined Melrose Shade.

Christine Wasmer
Vice President/Education
NEWH, Inc.
Christine is principal of Wasmer Contract Group a manufacturer's representative with over 25 years of experience in the contract and hospitality industry. She holds a BFA in Interior Architectural Design from California State University Long Beach.
Venturing from design into contract sales in the early 1980's, she found sales and marketing to be a great pairing with her design skills.  Since beginning her own business in 1996, Christine has applied her experience, dedication to detail and commitment to her client’s needs to forge lasting business relationships. Wasmer Contract Group represents fine manufacturers of interior and exterior furniture.
Christine's support of NEWH can be described in one word: Scholarship. Through her work on the Los Angeles Chapter board and on the board of NEWH Inc., she formulated protocol and procedures for the management of the scholarship program.
www.wasmercontractgroup.com

Tina Lockwood
Secretary
NEWH, Inc.
Tina Lockwood is the President of All Sign Systems, Inc which she founded in 1987. She is a Certified Master Hotel Supplier (MHS). She has a degree in Environmental Design from Arizona State University and has been in the design industry for over 30 years, specializing in Hospitality for over 20 years. She is a member of the Arizona Sign Association (Board Member); International Sign Association, ChrisTown YMCA (Board Member); NEWH, the Industry Network (Board Member) and International Sign Association. Because of her combined disciplines of design and production knowledge, she creatively engineers products that are design engineered with a concern for aesthetics and function. Quality and Customer Service continues to be at the forefront of the Mission of ASSI. Her hobbies are tennis, gardening and swimming!

Cynthia Guthrie
Vice President/Development
NEWH, Inc.
Cindy Guthrie is Founder of Guthrie & Associates, Inc., an independent sales organization as well as sales & marketing consultants for manufacturers of products and services to the hospitality and multi-residential housing industry that include granite & marble, cultured marble, cabinetry/millwork, lighting, carpet and furniture.

For over 17 years, Cindy, along with her husband Wayne, have provided product and manufacturing experience to the hotelier, project developer, designer, and procurement professionals.  Cindy currently serves as Past President, Parlimentarian and Delegate for NEWH South Florida Chapter.

Trisha Poole, IIDA
Vice President/Marketing
NEWH, Inc.
Trisha Poole has over twenty-two years of experience in design and management in the hospitality field.  Her personal passion for design and her dedicated loyalty to the client mission has consistently delivered creative results to her clientele over the years.  As the leader and president of Design Poole, Trisha has trained all of her design professionals to approach every project with an entrepreneurial spirit as it relates to project success.

Trisha gained most of her experience with large design companies in Orlando, Florida, and Chicago, Illinois, and has had the great fortune to work with leaders such as Disney, Wyndham Vacation Ownership, Sun International, Marriott, Hilton, and Starwood.  Her previous experience was working with and/or managing architects on most of the projects, which gave her a greater understanding of projects that require extensive technical detail and architectural coordination.

Trisha’s role on every project is to assure client satisfaction.  Her strength is interpreting the client’s vision and delivering it with a goal of exceeding expectations.With strong business ethics and a drive for design excellence, Trisha makes Design Poole a viable and integral component of any project team.  Trisha earned her Bachelor of Design from The University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Philip Byrne
Vice President/Events
NEWH, Inc.
Philip Byrne has over 20 years international experience of the floor covering industry in both Hospitality and Residential markets.
He is founder and Managing Director of Wool Solutions independent sales and marketing organization representing overseas flooring manufacturers in the Hospitality industry.

His previous experience was developing European and Middle Eastern markets for UK based manufacturers.

Philip moved to the USA in 1998 as CEO of Axminster Carpets, when he first became involved with NEWH. He is proud to be associated with such a dynamic organization. Philip currently serves as Vice President of Events.

Dina Belon
Vice President/Sustainable Hospitality
NEWH, Inc.
Dina M. Belon is a Principal and an owner of RUSH Hospitality, a sustainable hospitality renovation company, providing Design, Procurement and Construction services. Dina is a licensed Interior Designer in the state of Florida, and a LEED Accredited Professional. She is an active member of the US Green Building Council and sits on the Board of Adjustments and Appeals for the City of Titusville, Florida, where she lives; encouraging the local government to enact more ecologically friendly initiatives. Dina is also a member of the Space Coast Tourism Council Marketing Committee, where she encourages sustainable thinking within the tourism leaders in Brevard County. Additionally Dina is very involved in NEWH (The Hospitality Industry Network) as the director of the International Sustainable Hospitality Committee, which helps educate the hospitality community on sustainability.

Christine Tucker
Vice President/International Relations - Canada
NEWH, Inc.
Chris Tucker is a Commercial Sales Representative with Odyssey Wallcoverings, based in Richmond Hill. She has worked in the Design Industry for over 20 years. Her background includes Interior Design at Fanshawe College and 20 years of experience in Interior Design and Sales working closely with Architects, Designers and Property Owners to meet their needs. Given what NEWH offers, Tucker enjoys the relationship building of Industry Leaders in Hospitality. She benefits and promotes to others to join in the importance of giving back to the design community in which we live in.

Helen Reed
President
NEWH, Inc.
Helen L. Reed is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and has over 20 years experience working in the field of Hospitality Design.  Her experience has ranged from a Project Interior Designer for an award winning Architectural and Interior Design to working as a manufacturer’s representative where she took time to learn about the manufacturing process of interior materials and furniture. In 1990 she started H.L Reed Design, Inc., a full service design firm that specializes in Restaurants, Country Clubs, Hotels and Retail Spaces throughout the United States. In addition to H.L.Reed Design, she started h2h,inc. in 2001.  h2h is a full service procurement company that provides purchasing services for the Hospitality and Retail Industries.
Helen is one of the founding members of the Virginia Chapter of NEWH; in addition she has served as Director of Fundraising for NEWH, Inc until she became Vice President of Membership.  She also serves on the Advisory Board for Virginia Commonwealth University School of Interior Design.

Anita Degen, IIDA
Executive Adviser
NEWH, Inc.
Anita Degen is the co-founder of Degen & Degen architecture and interior design in Seattle, WA.  Since 1994, her firm has specialized in hospitality for hotels, lodges and resorts worldwide.

Anita’s past experience includes lead designer for S&S Hotel Innenarchitektur in Berlin Germany, Callison in Seattle, WA and for Marriott Corporation in Washington DC.  Anita holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and holds NCIDQ certification.

Anita is active in numerous professional organizations including IIDA and WA State Hotel and Lodging Association.  She is also currently Vice President of Scholarship and Education for NEWH, Inc. and active in the Northwest Chapter.

Andrea Thomas
Scholarship
NEWH, Inc.
Andrea Thomas has been an independent, multi-line sales representative and a member of NEWH for over a decade.  The Thomas Design Source product package includes custom area rugs and carpet, wall covering, fabric, furniture, and accessories.  Andrea’s career started as an interior designer, working on primarily commercial projects in various architectural and interior design firms in Milwaukee and Las Vegas. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin in Interior Design and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  
Andrea has been on the board of the Las Vegas Chapter for seven years, in the capacity of Scholarship Director (5 years), Treasurer, Vice President of Development, and is currently Vice President of Administration and NEWH Board Delegate.

Todd Baxter Fuller
Membership
NEWH, Inc.
Todd Baxter Fuller crossed over to sales in 2005 after being a hospitality interior designer for 10 years working with Atlanta firms like Design Continuum, CMMI, and Black Dog Studios.  He started his path in sales working for Adcock Associates representing as many as 15 lines to the hospitality industry covering most of the Southeast.  He is currently a sales representative for Eykon Wallcovering.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Interior Design from the University of Georgia and is currently the Atlanta Chapter President of NEWH.

"Through NEWH I have helped to provide scholarships to many deserving students and bring vital programs to the Atlanta area which have shared knowledge and increased awareness of our industry.  What NEWH has given back to me is introductions to Hospitality professionals across the country, invaluable leadership qualities, and friends for a lifetime.".

Lee Brotsker
Expansion
NEWH, Inc.
LEE BROTSKER  is President of L.B. DESIGNS. LLC, an Atlantic City based Hospitality Design and Purchasing company. He is a graduate of Northwestern University with a Bachelors Degree in Speech, majoring in Theatrical Design. Along with a Master's in Theatrical Design from Carnegie-Mellon University, Mr. Brotsker has a Master's Degree in Business Administration with a major in Marketing from Monmouth College. In addition to his design background, this educational history has also provided a comprehensive background in the elements and concepts of business and marketing procedures.
His work experience includes over 30 years working in many facets of the Hotel and Restaurant industries. This is the basis for an understanding of the operational requirements special to these fields. Additionally, while spending almost eight years in construction, he has gained valuable working knowledge, including several years as a mill worker. He has performed such functions as designer, salesperson, estimator, project manager and production manager. Mr. Brotsker spent two years as an Independent Sales Representative selling interior fixtures, furniture and finishes to the design and hospitality markets. This experience provided an important lesson in the economics of operations, design and construction. While working as a designer for a major Hotel/Casino design firm he also gained a special insight into the unique design needs of such projects. He started L.B. DESIGNS, LLC. In 1984. He currently teaches interior design as an adjunct professor at Kean University in Union, NJ after having taught at Berkeley College in Paramus, NJ and Moore College of Art in Philadelphia, PA.

Cynthia Milow
Corporate Partnerships
NEWH, Inc.
Cynthia is the Executive Vice President of Purchasing Management International, an independent contract purchasing company based in Dallas with offices in Cancun, Delhi, Guadalajara and Las Vegas.  With 25 years in the hospitality business, Cynthia started with a hotel operations background in catering sales which took her to such companies as Hyatt and  Radisson, then moving on to a executive purchasing career with Hyatt, Trammel Crow Development, Registry Hotels, and Purchasing Management Int’l. since it’s beginning.  Development of programs is one of Cynthia’s strengths and where her attentions are focused currently with NEWH.  Updating the NEWH Awards program is in our immediate future and promises to be exciting.

Janice Marko
Fundraising
NEWH, Inc.
Janice Marko received her MBA degree in 1976 from Vanderbilt University and has over 20 years experience in the commercial and hospitality furnishings industry with a high concentration in sales, marketing and purchasing management. She began her purchasing career in the medical / corporate field and entered the hospitality industry in 1985. She quickly directed the growth of her firm into one of the top design and hospitality procurement companies in the industry. Upon selling her purchasing firm she started her executive search career. Under her leadership the new company has rapidly become one of the leading Executive Recruiting Firms in the Architectural, Interior Design and Contract/Hospitality furnishings industry. Marko International works very closely with some of the most prestigious and visible companies to fill their most critical mid-to-upper level positions.

Mark Huntsinger
Conferences
NEWH, Inc.
Representing Verelli performance fabrics (www.verelli-usa.com) and Custom Lighting manufacturers to the Hospitality and Commercial Design industry in the western U.S.

Dina Belon
Sustainability
NEWH, Inc.
Dina M. Belon is a Principal and an owner of RUSH Hospitality, a sustainable hospitality renovation company, providing Design, Procurement and Construction services.  Dina is a licensed Interior Designer in the state of Florida, and a LEED Accredited Professional.  She is an active member of the US Green Building Council and sits on the Board of Adjustments and Appeals for the City of Titusville, Florida, where she lives; encouraging the local government to enact more ecologically friendly initiatives.  Dina is also a member of the Space Coast Tourism Council Marketing Committee, where she encourages sustainable thinking within the tourism leaders in Brevard County. Additionally Dina is very involved in NEWH (The Hospitality Industry Network) chairing the Sunshine Chapters Sustainable Committee and as a member of the International Sustainable Hospitality Committee, which helps educate the hospitality community on sustainability.

Andy Schaidler
Public Relations
NEWH, Inc.
Andy travels around the country from his office in Wisconsin as Business Development Consultant for manufacturers and as a regional sales rep locally in the midwest.

Andy brings 10 years of hospitality industry experience with 20 years of both rep agency and manufacturing industry experience to NEWH, working previously for Regal Mirror, Volume Intl, TLI Inc, Badger Lite Co, American Fluorescent Co., and Bill Brown Sales.

Andy supports local and national events of the Human Rights Campaign, and Milwaukee's Cream City Foundation, is an avid musical theater buff, and a seasoned RV'er. He is planning our Orlando 2011 Leadership Conference as Director of NEWH Conferences after serving 4 years as Director of Regional Trade Shows for NEWH. Andy's mission is to bring as much organized advance planning and coordination to our events. Making them as attractive and professional as possible for all attendees. All while raising funds for both the local chapters and national organization. He is Director-elect for Public Relations and will throw his heart and soul into promoting NEWH Inc , our Chapters and Events right after the Conference.

Liza Kapisak
Internet Communications
NEWH, Inc.
Liza has 7 years experience in interior design and she has focused her career on commercial environments.  Liza's talents lie in her ability to integrate contemporary and innovative products, materials and ideas into creative solutions. Liza has also focused on utilizing sustainable materials in innovative ways.

Liza has been an active member of her local professional organizations. As a member of NEWH her entire career, starting as a student representative to the baord she worked her way up learning the inner workings of a successful board.  Liza  currently serves as the Executive Advisor to the Board. Besides NEWH, Liza currently serves as the IIDA Northland chapter Forums Chair-elect, which puts together  12+ educational programs per year for their members.

Using her knowledge from previous firms and project types, Liza currently works at Ellerbe Becket (an AECOM company), a mulit-disciplinary firm which has several offices located nationally and worldwide. Ellerbe Becket strives to be the best in the business as can be seen through thier 100 years of exceptional work. Liza focuses her talents in the Healthcare discipline creating state of the art facilities to enhance the lives of those that live, work and enjoy them. Liza works on varying size proejcts which can be found nationally and in the Middle East.

Michelle Finn
NEWH Ambassador
NEWH, Inc.
Michelle Finn is vice president of the Hospitality Design (HD) Group. In this role, she oversees the HD brand, which encompasses Hospitality Design (HD) magazine, the industry’s leading publication covering the design of hotels, restaurants, and other commercial hospitality projects; Hospitality Design Exposition + Conference (HD Expo) in Las Vegas, the preeminent annual trade show for the hospitality design industry; HD Boutique Exposition + Conference (HD Boutique), the annual boutique-styled event; and Hospitality Design Summit (HD Summit), the industry’s annual executive think-tank; along with other brand initiatives. Finn founded HD Boutique and HD Summit, and co-founded the Radical Innovation in Hospitality Awards and Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association Awards. She has received numerous awards for innovation, leadership, and service, including NEWH’s Woman of the Year ( 2001), and NEWH NY Chapter Innovator of the Year ( 2008). Finn is member of The Hospitality Industry Network ( NEWH), American Hotel Lodging Association ( AHLA), Urban Land Institute( ULI) , the International Society of Hospitality Purchasers ( ISHP), Cornell’s Innovation Network and currently serves on the national board of NEWH, AHLA Women’s Forum and ISHP.

Deborah Herman
NEWH Ambassador
NEWH, Inc.
Deborah Herman Romano is founder of Fabric Innovations, a Miami, Florida fabric converter of fine linens, luxury bedding and drapery fabrics for the hospitality trade. Fabric Innovations is the new source of sheer fabrics featuring Swarovski crystals. Deborah is the sole sales force for Virginia Quilting Commercial nationwide. Her family background of manufacturing includes 26 years of bedding and drapery product.

She currently participates in product development for the worldwide product launch for Starwood Hotels including the New Homestead Four Points Sheraton, the new aloft brand. Deborah proudly joined NEWH in 1986. She served in numerous positions on the Los Angeles Board including Director of Programming and Director of Fund Raising. She then helped form the NEWH South Florida chapter. She currently acts as the Director of Membership on the NEWH, Inc. Board of Directors and serves on the Sustainable Hospitality Committee.

Shayne Bratz
Delegate
NEWH, Inc.
Shaynehas a BA in Business Administration and a BA in Religion and Culture from Trinity Western University in BC, Canada.  With a diverse background ranging from fitness to real estate, he has enjoyed the exciting transition into the hospitality industry - an "adventure" that began in early 2007.  As the newest member of the Northwest Chapter board, Shayne’s goals, among others, are to increase membership through enhanced communication and focused promotion of its valuable benefits, and to continue developing and fostering amazing relationships throughout the industry..

Valerie Colman
Delegate
NEWH, Inc.
Valerie is a 3rd year board member with NEWH, and joined the Washington D.C. chapter as a student member and as a past NEWH scholarship recipient. She has served on both scholarship & programming committees, and has participated in efforts to garner more student members by telling her story and using her experiences as an example. Valerie transitioned into the Interior Design field from Human Resources where she worked for 9 years, which included returning to school to obtain a design degree. Working for Marriott International, Valerie has found her niche in the hospitality field, where she works as an Interior Designer on the renovations of the full-service Marriott hotel brands. She is excited to serve on the board again this year.

Fernando Diaz, ASID, CID
Delegate
NEWH, Inc.
Cuban-born interior designer Fernando Diaz founded Fernando Diaz and Associates in 1980 specializing in residential, commercial and retail projects.
Mr. Diaz graduated from Ottawa University in 1973 with a BA degree in Entertainment Business Management, and later in 1982 from UCLA Extension with an Interior Design Certificate.  In 1993 Mr. Diaz became a Certified Interior Designer in the State of California.

Fernando Diaz was facilities manager and corporate designer for one of the nation’s largest furniture leasing companies for 19 years.  Mr. Diaz’s responsibilities included overseeing the design of 50+ showrooms and offices, creating a corporate image among others. He subsequently opened an accessories showroom in Las Vegas.  
In 1996 Mr. Diaz opened the successful Furniture Gallery at Pacific Design Center (PDC) selling designer furniture floor samples from PDC showrooms at huge savings.  After a year long hiatus from the furniture showroom, Fernando re-opened Furniture Gallery in February 2004 at the exiting and energetic LA Mart Design Center.

Fernando Diaz and Associates strives for the best possible expression and solution to clients’ lifestyles and needs; projects range from small homes and offices to grand scale residences and office suites.  Completed projects are located throughout the United States, Mexico and Spain.  

Mr. Diaz has received numerous awards from his peers and served on the board of directors of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the Homeless Youth
Foundation and is a past member of the board of trustees for the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA/LA).  In 1998 – 1999 Mr. Diaz was the President of the American Society of Interior Designers/Los Angeles Chapter.  His worked has graced the pages of Los Angeles Home & Décor several times as well as other publications.  Television appearances include several HGTV programs.

Lori Hoegler
Delegate
NEWH, Inc.
Lori graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta in 2007 with a Bachelors degree of Fine Arts in Interior Design. With essentially five years of experience, she offers substantial project management and installation experience as an Interior Designer at DesignONE Studio, which is a full-service design firm, with a focused and specialized understanding of Hotel Design, providing integrated Architecture and Interior Design. Lori's skill sets allow her to convey her vision and to create inviting spaces for the hotel industry, based on the needs of the client. She is proficient in hotel renovations and conversions. In addition to Interior Design, Lori has on-site experience from working directly with a furnishings installation crew, which provided her with expertise in procurement and quality control, as well as overseeing the freight management and installation of guestroom and public space furnishings in various high-end hotels, condominiums and senior living establishments.

Lori has immersed herself into the Hospitality Design community through her affiliation with NEWH/Atlanta. She has been actively planning meaningful events and monthly networking opportunities in her role as Director of Programming throughout 2011. She is thrilled to serve on the Board in 2012 as VP of Development, representing the Atlanta Chapter as a Delegate, and mentoring newcomers on the Board of Directors.

Katie Howell
Delegate
NEWH, Inc.
Katie Howell is an Interior Designer at Group West Companies, an architectural and interior design firm with an emphasis on hospitality.  Katie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University in 2005 and moved shortly thereafter to Seattle, WA to pursue her career in interior design.  She enjoys hiking and exploring the Pacific Northwest in her spare time with her fiancé and their Yellow Lab, Ellie.  

Katie has been a member of NEWH since 2009 when she joined the Northwest Chapter Board of Directors.  She has previously filled the positions of Secretary and Programming Director but is now excited to take on the role of Vice President/Development for the 2012 calendar year.

Amy Jakubowski
Delegate
NEWH, Inc.
Amy Jakubowski began her career with Brennan Beer Gorman Monk Interiors (BBGM) as a senior designer in 1996 and became a Partner in 2003. Her design and management skills have ensured the success of many award-winning hospitality projects, including the New York City Millennium Hilton, The New York Palace Hotel, and the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel, as well as several luxury residential interiors for New York City developer LCOR’s buildings, The Charleston and The Chelsea Stratus. Recently she led the team for the branding of TRYP by Wyndham, and she currently serves as Design Partner for the repositioning of an existing Boston hotel to an unbranded boutique, Revere.  

Before joining BBGM, Amy spent nine years with James D’Auria Associates. As a Senior Designer and Project Manager, she specialized in the design of fashion showrooms, retail shops, and corporate offices for Levi Strauss, Guess and Ellen Tracy to name a few.

Amy graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Interior Design and is licensed in New York and Nevada. She is an active member of many professional organizations, including the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), as well as being a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP). She currently serves as the VP of Development on the board of NEWH’s New York City Chapter and sits on the NCD 2015 International Advisory Board for the Guri World Design Center in Korea. Her work has been featured in a variety of industry publications, including The New York Times, Interior Design, Hospitality Design, Hotel Business, Metropolis, Contract, Today’s Facility Manager, Buildings, and Display and Design Ideas.

Expressing her commitment to the importance of sustainable and environmentally-sensitive design, Amy earned her LEED AP certification in 2004. She has twice been invited to act as a Senior Thesis Mentor for students at the New York School of Interior Design and has spoken at numerous local and national design and real estate industry conferences and panels.  She resides in Manhattan.

Elaine McCorkle-Castro
Delegate
NEWH, Inc.
Elaine's passion for design began, as a native Angeleno, admiring the diversity of architecture and interiors throughout Los Angeles, a beautiful city filled with amazing inspiration. She recieved her Bachelors of Art Degree, specializing in interior design, from California State University of Northridge, CA., in 1995.

For the past 15 years she has established her design career within the hospitality industry specializing in 4 & 5 star hotels, resorts and spas.  She has worked with leading hospitality design firms such as Barry Design Associates, Hirsch Bedner & Associates and Texeira Inc.  She has traveled the world for various projects in Europe, Philippines, Canada and the United States.  She has the expertise to create memorable interiors bound to evoke emotion. Her designs range from traditional to contemporary as deemed appropriate for each indivdiual project.  She has designed and managed projects for prestigous hoteliers such as Marriott International, Ritz Carlton, Luxury Resorts and Peabody Hotels.

Sarah Pellegrin
Delegate
NEWH, Inc.
Sarah joined Gensler in 2006 and has extensive experience in designing hospitality, mixed-use, restaurant and entertainment venues. She utilizes visualization tools in collaboration with her design colleagues to analyze and develop stron design concepts. Sarah is a dedicated team member who has consistently met the most demanding project deadlines. She will work closely with the entire design team to conceptually prepare the appropriate design deliverables for the project.

Sarah is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor degree in Interior Design. Prior to joining Gensler in 2006, Sarah worked for Commercial Design Interiors in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Mathes Brierre Architects in New Orleans, Louisiana specializing in retail & corporate interiors. Sarah is currently working in Gensler Houston's Lifestyle Flex Studio specializing in Hospitality Interiors

Sarah grew up in Houma, Louisiana.

Sarah is currently a member of the International Interior Design Association and held the position of Philanthropy Co-Chair on the Texas/Oklahoma Chapter board in 2009-2010.

Sarah is currently a member of the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality and held the position of Scholarship Director on the NEWH Houston Chapter Board from 2009-2011 and will be taking the role of Vice-President of Administration in 2012.

In her spare time, Sarah enjoys art, traveling, cooking and cheering on the Tigers & Saints football teams.

Tyson Stone
Delegate
NEWH, Inc.
Tyson Stone comes to us with exceptional knowledge of the Hospitality Industry in sales and management and has established strong relationships with designers, architects and purchasing firms throughout Southern California and the entire country.  His past 15 years working in all realms of the Lighting Industry has enabled him to develop the skills and personality to mange the SoCal territory with great hopes of success.  Tyson has spent the past 8 years working in custom lighting strictly for Hospitality, working for Alger International and most recently as the Vice President of Sales of iWORKS.  Tyson has now ventured out and started his own Independent Manufacturer's Rep Agency; TS + ASSOCIATES.  In a few short months (started in October of 2009), he has gathered a very attractive package representing 8 different but collective group of products for the Hospitality market.

Stephanie Thompson
Delegate
NEWH, Inc.
Stephanie has 5 years experience working in commercial design primarily focusing on retail and restaurant design.  She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS in Interior Design.  After graduation, she became an Interior Designer for Smart Associates in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  She takes pride in taking on challenges and coming up with creative solutions to those challenges on each project.  Also she enjoys meeting and getting to know each client and understanding their needs and the needs of the end user, for it is vital to the success of every project.  Organized in 1993, Smart Associates have established themselves as leaders in the field of retail and restaurant planning and design in the United States as well as abroad. Recognition by not only their peers, but also the retail and restaurant industries has proven their ability to provide creative solutions under challenging circumstances.  With a proven history of professional excellence, Smart Associates has built an impressive reputation of exceeding their client’s expectations.

David Tracz
Delegate
NEWH, Inc.
David Tracz is one of the leaders of OPX’s hospitality studio. Dave served as project manager on the Courtyard Marriott in Chevy Chase, Maryland – the only Gold LEED® hotel in Montgomery County (MD) and one of the first for Marriott. He also managed the Fairfield Inn & Suites Brand Prototype project, a complete refresh of this national brand. Splitting his focus between hospitality and green design, he also worked on construction documents and LEED® Documentation on a LEED® Silver Federal office building in Washington, DC. His combined base building, renovation and green experience has led to a strong ability to balance budget concerns with design and hospitality needs. He is often a guest juror at Catholic University of America in Washington, educating students in architecture and graphic presentation. He is also a leader for neighborhood pro-bono projects.

Laurie Woliung
Delegate
NEWH, Inc.
Ms. Woliung formerly Director of Hospitality Interior Design for the Washington DC office of BBG-BBGM has relocated to South Florida and begun W Hospitality Design Consultants, LLC, specializing in Hospitality Design and design management.  Most previously to BBG-BBGM she held senior level positions within Marriott International and Choice Hotels International and owned her own firm for twelve years in Cincinnati, Ohio. Over a ten year period she was Associate Professor of Interior Design at the College of Mount St. Joseph in Ohio with subsequent teaching experience at the University of Cincinnati and at Montgomery College in Maryland. Ms. Woliung was affiliated with NEWH Washington DC Metro Chapter for five years holding various board positions including Fundraising, Executive Vice President, President 2006, and three times Regional Trade Show Committee Chairman. Currently in the South Florida Chapter on the Board she holds the position of Fundraising.