The Alaska Hotel and Lodging Association elected a new board of directors during their annual retreat Jan. 26-27, 2023 at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel and Spa.
The 15 newly elected or appointed board members are tasked with continuing to improve AKHLA, recruit new members and remain as steadfast advocates for the hospitality industry in Alaska and beyond.
While there are some familiar faces among the board members and allied members, the board also boasts a bevy of new directors representing a vast swath of Alaska.
Immediate past chair JoLynn Lund of Northwest X Southern graciously handed off the gavel to incoming board chairman Terry Wanzer, owner of The Landing Hotel and Restaurant in Ketchikan. Wanzer has been involved with the hospitality industry for decades, and has served as chairman of the AKHLA board in the past.
Cred: Michael Dinneen/dinneenphoto.com
Tia Lewis of the Hyatt House Anchorage assumes the role of vice-chair, while Tracy Morgan of the Sheraton Hotel and Spa takes the secretary post. AKHLA treasurer is Leah Godoy of the Clarion Suites Anchorage, and longtime hotelier Tammy Griffin rounds out the executive committee as an at-large director. The Political Action Committee director position remains unfilled at the moment.
Regional board members are as follows: Ashley Gardner, JL Hospitality Management, Southcentral; Kyle Nuckols, Harbor 360 Hotel, Kenai Peninsula; Alton Burgess, Hotel Captain Cook, At-large; Jill Pawson, Dimond Center Hotel, At-large. The Southeast, Interior/Far North and two At-large director positions remain unfilled.
Allied board members include: Luke Peroni, Peroni Hospitality Consulting; Lori Brewer, Alaska Coffee & Restaurant Equipment / Cafe D’Arte; Luke Jenner, Alaska Restaurant Supply; Melinda Minsky, WCP Solutions; Miles Baker, Miles Baker Alaska.
AKHLA officers serve a one-year term, with exception of the treasurer and the PAC chair, who each serve a two-year term.
The Alaska Hotel and Lodging Association is a voluntary nonprofit organization made up of business people and allied and associate professionals. Its members recognize they have a stake in the hospitality business and have joined together to advance the industry and to enhance it. To learn more, or to become involved with AKHLA, browse www.akhla.org or become a member here.
2023 Committees
2023 Proposed Board of Directors