 JoAnne L. Mrosak
President JoAnne has 12 years experience in the commercial interior design industry as an account executive for MDC Wallcoverings, offering innovative wall covering and wall finish solutions in all areas of interior design. MDC has a sales team of 85 across the country, offering excellent service, fresh ideas, and a commitment to our client’s success. JoAnne has a vast array of experience and knowledge, managing and owning several businesses, with years of sales and marketing in the fashion, floral, toy, fragrance, and interior design industry. She has served on several community board and chair positions throughout her career. With her diverse career and experience she welcomes the opportunity to work with the NEWH community to create vibrant networking opportunities and develop educational and thought provoking programs for the hospitality industry. read more |
 Stephanie Thompson
VP/Administration Stephanie has 6+ years experience working in commercial design primarily focusing on retail and restaurant design. She graduated f rom the University of Minnesota with a BS in Interior Design. After graduation, she became an Interior Designer for Smart Associates in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 2012 She was hired at Cuningham Group Inc. and now has the opportunity to work on Larger Hospitality projects mostly is focusing on Casino Venues. She has been a NEWH Member since 2005 and a NEWH North Central Board Member since 2007. 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. read more |
 Lisa L. Cochran
VP/Development As an independent multi-line manufacturer’s representative catering to the hospitality industry, Hospitality Interior Resources is committed to providing exceptional quality products, dedication to the manufacturers we represent and exceptional service to our customers. Lines include fabrics (Richloom), casegoods (Buhler), upholstered furniture (AC Furniture), electronics (Philips), lighting (Tai Pan), and wallcovering (US Vinyl). Customer base is comprised of FF&E Service Providers, dealers, hotel management groups, architecture & interior design firms, procurement agencies, hotel owners, restaurants, casinos and resorts. read more |
 Brittany H. Johnson
Secretary Brittany is a certified interior designer with several years of experience working on a variety of leisure and entertainment proje cts at Cuningham Group. Brittany believes a successful and holistic design is the result of collaboration between clients, team members and consultants. She works closely with clients throughout the design process to help create innovative environments that offer a fresh perspective and provide sensitivity to the functional, social and environmental impacts of each space. She was a core team member of two award-winning projects, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel and the Isleta Casino & Resort Hotel and Convention Center. Cuningham Group has built an outstanding reputation for creating and delivering excellence in architecture and interior design for entertainment, resort, gaming, hospitality, restaurant, and retail projects worldwide. Over their 44-year history, Cuningham Group has been ranked among the top design firms by Interior Design Magazine. They have also been honored with recognition from professional and national organizations for our interior design work from the International Interior Design Association and NEWH - The Hospitality Industry Network. read more |
 Cynthia A. Springman-Klick
Treasurer Cynthia has 16 years experience in the hospitality industry in the areas of manufacturer sales representative, interior designer, purchasing and project management. She is currently the owner of Klick Associates - a multi-line agency representing Charter Furniture, Brown Jordan Contract, Currey & Company Lighting, Artline Wholesalers, Warp & Phil, and more. She has in the past worked for Shelby Williams and Carlson Hotels Worldwide. She is returning to serve on the board of the North Central Chapter and is excited to see all that the chapter has accomplished in recent years. Cynthia is a born and raised Minnesotan, has been married for almost 10 years, and is enjoying being a working mom to a son and a daughter. She is looking forward to supporting the NEWH North Central Chapter and enjoying networking opportunities in the local and national hospitality industry! read more |
 Liza M. Kapisak
Executive Advisor Liza has 8 years experience in interior design and she has focused her career on commercial environments. Liza's talents lie in h er ability to integrate contemporary and innovative products, materials and ideas into creative solutions. Liza has also focused on utilizing sustainable materials in innovative ways. Currently working at AECOM (formerly Ellerbe Becket) in Minneapolis, MN working on healthcare projects both nationally and internationally. read more |
Stephanie Thompson
NEWH, Inc. Delegate Stephanie has 6+ years experience working in commercial design primarily focusing on retail and restaurant design. She graduated f rom the University of Minnesota with a BS in Interior Design. After graduation, she became an Interior Designer for Smart Associates in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 2012 She was hired at Cuningham Group Inc. and now has the opportunity to work on Larger Hospitality projects mostly is focusing on Casino Venues. She has been a NEWH Member since 2005 and a NEWH North Central Board Member since 2007. 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. read more |
Lisa L. Cochran
NEWH, Inc. Delegate As an independent multi-line manufacturer’s representative catering to the hospitality industry, Hospitality Interior Resources is committed to providing exceptional quality products, dedication to the manufacturers we represent and exceptional service to our customers. Lines include fabrics (Richloom), casegoods (Buhler), upholstered furniture (AC Furniture), electronics (Philips), lighting (Tai Pan), and wallcovering (US Vinyl). Customer base is comprised of FF&E Service Providers, dealers, hotel management groups, architecture & interior design firms, procurement agencies, hotel owners, restaurants, casinos and resorts. read more |
 Sheena M. Kieffer
Scholarship Sheena graduated with a BS degree in interior design from Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA. After graduation, she moved to the Minn eapolis area where she began her interior design career working on office and retail projects. At her most recent employer, Arthur Shuster, Sheena designed senior living communities. She learned that design must respect senior residents’ needs without reminding them of their limitations. Sheena has an exceptional ability to create environments that are functional for the end user and are aesthetically pleasing so that people feel invited, comfortable and engaged. Sheena has many artistic hobbies including ceramics, glass art, and photography. As programming director, Sheena looks forward to the opportunity to help the hospitality industry grow through planning networking and educational events. read more |
 Westin Hammerstrom
Membership Westin was born in Texas but has lived in Minnesota since he was less than 2 years old. He grew up learning to speak French attend ing Normandale French Immersion. He graduated from Edina in 2004 and went on to study International Business and Economics at the University of Denver, graduating from there in 2008. Westin is currently the VP of Sales and marketing for Turner Hospitality Network. Some of the things Westin enjoys in his free time include outdoors, sports, snowboarding, camping, hiking, hunting and fishing, biking, boating, and attending Twins games. read more |
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 Gina B. Leone
Publications Gina has just begun her career as an interior designer for Smart Associates, specializing in restaurant and retail design. As an interior designer, she enjoys working on a variety of different projects, developing concepts, and working closely with clients. Some of the projects she has worked on are Heidi's Restaurant and The A-List. As a LEED AP ID+C, Gina takes pride in finding creative ways to integrate green solutions into her projects whenever they are available. Organized in 1993, Smart Associates has established themselves as leaders in the field of retail and restaurant planning and design. Smart Associates has built an impressive reputation of providing creative professional excellence and exceeding their clients expectations. Gina graduated from Iowa State University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Interior Design, Minors in Business and Design Studies. In her free time she enjoys making mixed media art and photography. read more |
 Michelle L. Engstrom
Internet Communications Michelle has 4 years experience working on senior living projects as an interior designer. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BS in Interior Design. Upon graduation she was hired full time to work for Senior Lifestyle Design, an in house design firm for Presbyterian Homes of Minnesota. She enjoys creating comfortable and attractive environments for seniors to live in. The considerations that need to be taken when designing senior living is what makes the job challenging, but especially rewarding when the residents are happy with the design of the building that they live in. Presbyterian Homes is the premier provider of senior living in the area and serves Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, with partnerships across the country. Many of the senior living sites include the full continuum of care from independent and assisted living apartments all the way to full care centers and memory care areas. Presbyterian homes is such a great organization to work with because they provide residents with so many exciting options of activities with in their homes including club rooms, swimming pools, work out centers, cafés and bistros, libraries and many more. read more |
 Libby A. Sharp
Community Service Libby has been in the wallcovering industry for 15 years. She started her career in Ohio where she was on the residential end of wallcovering in purchasing and marketing of the product. After moving to Minnesota in 1995, she began working with Hirshfields Commercial Wallcovering. After close to 13 years with Hirshfields Commercial she joined National Wallcovering and has been with them for 2 years. She works close with the A & D community, hospitality, healthcare and corporate markets to promote her products. Libby has bee married to her high school sweetheart for 28 years and has 2 grown children and a son-in-law. She is originally from Ohio but her and her family have settled here in Minnesota and love to call it home (despite the long, long winters!) read more |
 Serenity Berntson
Student Representative Serenity is a senior in the Interior Design program at the University of Minnesota. She is also pursuing a second major in Art and a minor in Sustainability. Serenity is a former NEWH scholarship recipient and was excited to give back to the organization by joining the board. She provides a student perspective to the board and assists with graphic elements such as invitations and event planning. In addition to school and her involvement with the board, Serenity is currently interning at BDH+Young Interiors. She is thankful for the many opportunities she has had to immerse herself in the design world as a student and is looking forward to graduating in December. Serenity is interested in many areas of commercial design, but is particularly interested in hospitality design because of her 8 years of serving experience. Serenity believes the best design comes from an interdisciplinary approach that balances the needs of occupants, financial constraints, and environmental stewardship. read more |
