EDUCATION / WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

AKHLA members have access to continuing education and seminars, certifications, job boards and employment strategies designed to help hone best hiring practices. Our scholarship program helps foster and inspire a new generation of enthusiastic hospitality industry workers.

INSURANCE
DISCOUNTS

In addition to robust discounts for group health insurance, AKHLA members can also take advantage of the many discounts afforded by our allied partners, include tax preparation, credit card processing, reduced costs for supplies and much more.

LOCAL AND NATIONAL
LEGAL ADVOCACY

AKHLA members benefit from local, national and international frontline advocacy efforts via multiple lodging associations, including the American Hotel and Lodging Association and the International Society of Hotel Associations.

The Alaska Hotel and Lodging Association is a voluntary nonprofit organization made up of business people and allied and associate professionals. Our members recognize they have a stake in the hospitality business and have joined together to advance the industry and to enhance it. Together we coordinate ideas, energy and financial resources to accomplish collectively the success none of us could achieve individually. Membership in AKH&LA is important to your hotel property because we protect the rights and interests of the Alaska lodging industry, ensuring that your property has the greatest potential to flourish. We accomplish this by lobbying in Juneau and Washington DC, representing our industry’s interests, forging relationships with key legislators and keeping an eye on the big governmental picture.

Membership brings to you a multitude of industry resources, networking opportunities, supplier discount benefits, and a solid return on investment.

2023 Board of Directors

Executive CommitteeContact Us

Tia Lewis
Chairman

General Manager
Hyatt House Anchorage

 

I am a lifelong Alaskan who began working in the hospitality industry nearly 25 years ago. My first hotel job was cleaning rooms at a local motel in my hometown of Kenai, Alaska. I guess you could say I fell into the business avoiding working another summer on my Dad’s boat or on the slime-line at the cannery. I joined AKH&LA as a Stars of the Industry committee member in 2014 and eventually was asked to join the board in 2018. As a board member I hope to help alleviate some of the Industry’s common challenges by building connections and supporting education within our hospitality community.

Leah Godoy

Leah Godoy
Vice-Chair

Tracy Morgan
Secretary

Kyle Nuckols
Treasurer

General Manager
The Aviator Hotel Anchorage

 

My career in the hospitality and tourism sector started in 2006 in Colorado. It was then I realized dedicated guest service and a high level of hospitality toward others is what I was passionate about. Working my way through private events and the ranks at Embassy Suites had me wanting more than what Colorado could offer at the time. One vacation to Alaska in 2012 opened up my doors to a world of new possibilities and the move North in 2013 was the best decision I could have made. Currently, I reside in Seward, Alaska where I have managed the Harbor 360 Hotel for the past seven years. As an independent and family-run business, I can bring my passion for dedicated service to fruition. Serving as a regional board member for AKHLA I hope to encourage awareness of our association to the peninsula and continue to support our members and new members in any way that they need. Community strength is a huge core value and I am excited for the future of the association and for those to see how many great benefits there are for us in this industry.

JoLynn Lund
At-Large

Tammy Griffin
PAC Chair

General Manager
Staybridge Suites Anchorage

 

Tammy is a lifelong Alaskan, born on a homestead on the Little Susitna River. Her hospitality career started at a family-owned café at Lake Louise Junction. The big city drew her in and she has spent 42 years in Anchorage living the hospitality dream. She spent 17 years at The Hotel Captain Cook, 19 years with The Hotel Group and is now with TKO as GM at the Staybridge Suites. Tammy joined AKH&LA board in 2005 and has maintained a board seat ever since, believing in the goals, vision and integrity of the organization. AKH&LA is the voice of our industry and we must continue to be heard!

Terry Wanzer
Immediate Past Chair

Owner
Hospitality Unlimited, The Landing Hotel, Restaurant and Jeremiahs Pub

 

I have worked in Alaska since the 60s on commercial fishing boats, logging camps, real estate and machinery shops, to name a few. After a bevy of odd jobs, I saved money and in 1972 purchased my beginning business in Ketchikan: Wanzer’ Beachcomber. My first hotel purchase was the Knickerbocker Hotel in 1979 and I’ve been at it ever since, owning and operating restaurants and hotels. We currently enjoy 85-90 employees who share the service we provide. I have been on many boards and commissions, including the Alaska Real Estate Commission, the Alaska Work Force Board, Ketchikan Museum Advisory Board, and have been an AKHLA board member for 20 years. I also currently serve on the State of Alaska Ketchikan Pioneer Home Foundation Board, and am a founding member of the Historic Ketchikan board.
We as an association represent all regions of the state and have the same goal of providing a safe, comfortable, incredible adventure for our guests. As hoteliers and lodge owners, managers and department leaders we share commonality with similar challenges. We are also charged with watching that undue legislation or taxes do not arise as a surprise which could burden our industry or threaten profitability. The private sector will not exist without the incentive to be in business.
I remain proud to serve on the Alaska Hotel and Lodging Board and will continue to encourage new members to join us in our endeavor.

Regional Board MembersContact Us

Ashley Gardner
Southcentral

Area Director of Operations
JL Hospitality Management, LLC


I started in the hotel industry back in 2007 in Bozeman, MT. I moved to Anchorage in 2010 and started my first job at the Courtyard Anchorage Airport and have been in the industry for 16 years now. I have a passion for hospitality and a drive to be the best. My favorite part of hospitality is working with and developing associates and surpassing our guests’ expectations. I hope to assist in promoting, engaging, and involving AKHLA more heavily in the community to ensure our associations success.

Yolanda Hanna
Kenai Peninsula

Jill Pawson
At-Large

Allied Board MembersContact Us

Miles Baker

Miles Baker
Miles Baker Alaska

Luke Jenner
Alaska Restaurant Supply

Melinda Minsky
WCP Solutions

Luke Peroni
Peroni Hospitality Consulting

Owner
Peroni Hospitality Consulting
Years in the industry: 40

Growing up in the Adirondack Mountains as the child of  forestry and culinary professors, hospitality was not a big surprise for the path Luke would travel. He is a 1981 graduate of Paul Smiths College with an associates degree in Hotel Restaurant Management. He received his bachelor’s degree from UNLV in 1983 and now has more than 40 years in the hospitality industry. After working in F&B from Silverado Country Club in Napa Valley to the Maui Prince Resort, it was a call to Alyeska in 1994 that brought him to the great state he now calls home. He spent 14 years working at the Alyeska resort as the F&B director and hotel manager. He moved to the Seward Windsong Lodge in 2008 where he held the position of assistant GM and then GM. He is an active Stars of the Industry Committee member since 2008, and has been the Stars Chair twice. He has served on the AKHLA Board since 2010 and is a former Chair.

Executive LeadershipContact

Alicia J. Maltby, MBA

Interim President and CEO
Alaska Hotel and Lodging Association


Alaska Hotel and Lodging Association