After cautious assessment and conducting in-depth interviews, the HFTP nominating committee comprising HFTP International previous presidents, advisory council chairs and chapter presidents has chosen the HFTP members who will substitute the outgoing administrators of the HFTP International Board and open govt committee place. Right here is the official slate for the 2025-2026 HFTP International Government Committee and Board of Administrators.
HFTP International Government Committee
- HFTP International President James Bina, CHAE+, CHTP+ • Secretary and Treasurer / VP of Finance • Rosen Resorts & Resorts, Inc.
- HFTP International Vice President Andrew Buwalda, CHAE • Common Supervisor of IT, Finance and Operations • Deerhurst Resort
- HFTP International Treasurer Barry Thomas, CHTP • SVP, Hospitality Tech — Luxurious & Life-style • Accor
- HFTP International Secretary Shannon McCallum • VP, Resort Operations • Resorts World Las Vegas
- HFTP International Previous President Justin Taillon, MBA, Ph.D., CHTP, CHIA • Professor and Division Head • Highline School
- HFTP Government Advisor Sherry Marek • CEO • Aiken Road
New HFTP International Administrators
- HFTP International Director Ajay Aluri, Ph.D. • Founding Director, Nemacolin Hospitality Innovation and Expertise Lab • West Virginia College
- HFTP International Director Bryan Hammer • VP, IT • Belmond Resorts
- HFTP International Director Tessa Leverett • Controller • Desert Highlands
- HFTP International Director Nishant (Neal) Patel, CHIA, CHO • Founder and CIO • Blue Chip Resorts
Concerning the New HFTP Leaders
Dr. Ajay Aluri is the founding director of the Nemacolin Hospitality Innovation and Expertise Lab and an affiliate professor at West Virginia College. An extended-time HFTP member, member of the HITEC Advisory Council, and frequent speaker at HITEC, he bridges academia and business by analysis, schooling, and rising hospitality applied sciences. His work focuses on making ready future leaders for the digital transformation of the hospitality sector.
Bryan Hammer is a seasoned hospitality know-how chief with over 20 years of expertise driving IT technique throughout world luxurious journey manufacturers. He oversees the event and implementation of IT requirements, cybersecurity, and PCI compliance for accommodations, trains, safari camps, and cruises in over 50 areas. Bryan manages lodge IT design budgets exceeding £1M per venture and world know-how portfolios of over £10M, delivering scalable, safe, and progressive options worldwide.
Tessa Leverett is the controller on the Desert Highlands Affiliation and an lively HFTP member since 2022. Tessa has volunteered with the affiliation as a member of the Annual Conference Schooling Advisory Council. With a grasp’s in accounting, she brings contemporary perspective and management to the hospitality finance business by her volunteer work and advocacy for younger professionals.
Shannon McCallum is vp of lodge operations at Resorts World Las Vegas, bringing over 30 years of hospitality management throughout main U.S. and Canadian markets. Shannon is a long-time HFTP member, a present International Board Director, and has served on the HITEC Advisory Council, together with as council chair. She is thought for driving innovation, mentoring future leaders, and championing business collaboration by know-how and operations.
Nishant (Neal) Patel, CHIA, CHO is the founder and CIO of Blue Chip Resorts and a long-time chief within the hospitality business, having served as AAHOA Chairman and numerous management roles inside HFTP, together with as a member on the HITEC Advisory Council. With a concentrate on know-how and advocacy for limited-service lodge house owners, he brings deep business perception and a dedication to increasing collaboration throughout hospitality networks.
In accordance with Article X, Part 3, of the bylaws, ought to the slate above stay uncontested, the HFTP International Secretary will forged a single poll on the HFTP Annual Enterprise Assembly on the HFTP 2025 Annual Conference, October 22-24 on the Rosen Centre Resort in Orlando, Fla. The secretary will then declare the talked about people as duly elected.