Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association Committees
NHLA committees are open to all members. The purpose of the committees is to ensure NHLA is offering the most relevant and beneficial resources and education for our members in each area. The committees meet once quarterly in person or by conference call.
Education Committee
The Education committee assists in guiding NHLA in providing educational resources, activities, seminars, webinars, industry programs, certifications and other related information for NHLA members.
| Michele | Kline | Kline Hospitality Consulting | Owner, Co-Chair |
| Karen | Betz | Dale Carnegie | Chief Customer Officer, Co-Chair |
| Alex | Canales | Hilton Grand Vacations | Area Vice President - Resort Operations |
| Sean | McCray | TISOH | Asst Academic Director |
| Bernie | Vasquez | Polished Service | President |
| Frank | Gonzales | Polished Service | Director of Projects & Talent Development |
| Karina | Day | Student | Student |
| Kathryn | Koning | SurferQuest | CEO/President |
| Justin | Cohen | REQ | EVP |
| Dr. Gail | Sammons | UNLV | Professor Harrah College of Hospitality |
| Joseph | Conti | SECURalert | Regional Sales Manager |
| Francisco | Morales | Hilton Garden Inn | General Manager |
| Elizabeth | Partida | MGMRI | Corporate HR, L&D |
| Vanina | Coudriet | TMCC | Hospitality & Tourism Coordinator |
| Lisel | Westlake | MGMRI | Director of Security Training |
| Alisia | Pulella | FranklinCovey | Enterprise Client Partner |
| Matt | Ward | Hospitality WiFi | Chief Development Officer |
| Stowe | Shoemaker | UNLV | Dean, Harrah College of Hospitality |
| Whitney | Maluj | MGM Skylofts | Hotel Manager |
| Mabior | Ayuen | Venetian/Palazzo | Manager of Public Area |
| Chaz | Wellington | Aria | Casino Operations |
Clean and Green Committee
The Clean and Green committee promotes best practices in housekeeping and sustainability, efficiency, communication, education and environmental practices in today’s Hospitality Industry. Focus is on best operational practices to reduce costs while increasing guest satisfaction. Committee assists in coordination the annual related conference.
| Daniel | Harn | Downtown Grand | Executive Housekeeper - Committee Co-chair |
| Jim | Kenney | Catalytic Pure Air | GM - Committee Co-chair |
| Andy | Ginsburg | Resorts World | Director of Environmental Services |
| Pranav | Jampani | Venetian/Palazzo | Executive Director | Sustainability |
| Chris | Lynch | UNR | Director of the Nevada Business Environmental Program |
| Lynne | Motoyama | Cosmopolitan | Director, Housekeeping |
| Patrick | Watson | SNWA | Conservation Services Administrator |
| Sandra | Wild | Venetian/Palazzo | VP Housekeeping |
| Eric | Robinson | FreshAir | Director of Sales |
| Diane | Estner | DANNI | Principle |
| Jessie | Klorman | TuffSkin Surface Protection | Sales Manager |
| Mabior | Ayuen | Venetian/Palazzo | Manager of Public Area |
| Michele | Kline | Kline Hospitality Consulting | Owner |
Safety and Security Committee
The Safety and Security Committee guides NHLA in providing an annual conference, information, updates, alerts, news, resources, education and related community affairs for members.
| Lori Mack | Director of Security | M Resort | Co-chair |
| Rick Shaw | Owner | Awareity | Co-chair |
| Chaz Wellington | Dual Rate Table Games Floor Manager | Aria | Member |
| Caleb Real | Director of Security | Hilton Grand Vacations Flamingo | Member |
| Gerald Piro | Assistant Security Shift Manager | Vdara | Member |
| Ray Kessler | Executive Director, Emergency Management-Security | Venetian | Member |
| Joseph Conti | U.S. Regional Sales Manager | SECURAlert | Member |
| Terry Bauer | Director of Security | Soleil Management | Member |
| Mabior Ayuen | Manager of Public Area Department | Venetian | Member |
Technology Committee
The NHLA Technology Committee serves our members by ensuring new industry trends, technologies, current issues, and resources are made available to all of our members.
| Shannon McCallum | Volan Technologies | Co-Chair |
| Susan Ryan | MGMRI | Co-Chair |
| JoAnn Moreno | Boyd Gaming | IT Initiatives Product Manager-Hospitality Solutions |
| Robin Davis | MGMRI | Executive Director of Application Support and DBA |
| Michael Ellis | Hilton Grand Vacations/Elara | General Manager |
| Alfred Smith | Cosmopolitan | Sr. Director-IT Applications |
| Franz Batchelor | MGM Grand | Security Manager/Surveillance Manager |
| Ryan Heideman | React Mobile | VP of Sales |
| Philip Hamlin | SECURalert | Regional Sales Manager |
| Rick Shaw | Awareity | Founder/CEO/CDO |
| Ted Ladomersky | Intech LV | Head of Sales, Hotels and Institutions |
| Eric Robinson | FreshAir Sensors | Director of Sales |
| Richard O'Brien | Xpodigital | Director of Business Development |
| Kathryn Koning | SurferQuest | CEO |
| Matt Ward | Hospitality WiFi | Chief Development Officer |
| Diane Estner | DANNI Enterprises | Owner |
| Tyler Afflixio | Beekeeper | Senior Account Executive |
| Kali Davis | SurferQuest | Sr Business Manager |
| Dr. Joe BelBruno | FreshAir Sensors | Chief Technology Officer/Co-founder |
Design and Construction Committee
The NHLA design and construction committee provides industry advice and guidance on new property design and construction as well as renovation of existing structures. The committee assists in ensuring alignment with standards and safety regulations along with introduction of design concepts and trends. Members have expertise in various areas and will share their leadership, innovative ideas, and assistance with all of NHLA membership.
| Meeta | Shah | Resorts World | Director of Architecture, co-chair |
| Cliff | Atkinson | Able Services | V.P. Strategic Partnerships, co-chair |
| Mindy | Williams | BrightView Landscape Services | Business Developer |
| Cinthy | Stauss | Cachet Studios, LLC | Principal |
| Franz | Batchelor | MGM Grand | Security Manager/Surveillance Manager |
| Jack | O’Toole | FreshAir Smoking Sensors | President |
| Jenya | Pauquet de Villejust | SECURalert | Marketing Manager |
| Brandie | Patterson | Surferquest | Senior Vice President of Client Engagement |
Read to lead Book Club Committee
| Lynn Gray | Standard Textile | Sales Executive, Committee Chair | |
| Mr. Kai Shield | Venetian | Hotel Manager | |
| Amanda Rode | Tahiti Village | Digital Marketing Project Manager | |
| Kayla Pienaar | Venetian | Special Projects | |
| Candice Imam | UNLV | Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement and Events | |
| Mabior Ayuen | Venetian | Manager of Public Area Department |
NHLA Women in Lodging Committees
NHLA Women in Lodging is the premier state-wide industry organization exclusively for female hospitality professionals. NHLA Women in Lodging provides the ideal forum to promote women’s leadership as well as professional career development. NHLA Women in Lodging offers a dynamic mentor program, seminars, workshops, networking events, community philanthropic involvement, and access to female industry leaders.
Mentor Committee
The WIL mentor committee helps to guide the activities and coordination of the mentor programs that are offered two times per year for the WIL members.
Philanthropy Committee
The WIL philanthropy committee leads the activities in support of the selected charitable organizations which may include donation drives, fundraising events and educational resources.
NHLA Emerging Leaders Committees
Emerging Leaders is a division of the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association comprised of young industry professionals under the age of 36. Under the guidance of the NHLA staff, it exists to engage young professionals in the Nevada hospitality and support industries through the development of local resources including networking, mentorship, philanthropic and educational opportunities.
Emerging Leaders Council
The council is comprised of leaders from across the NHLA membership with responsibilities to include assisting in coordinating relevant events and providing resources for our younger leaders.
Mentor Committee
The mentor committee members help to coordinate activities related to the Emerging Leaders mentor program which is offered twice a year.
NHLF Committees
Fundraising Committee
The fundraising committee has the responsibility to meet the financial goal set each year. This is accomplished through soliciting and receiving monetary contributions from donors within and outside the hospitality industry.
Events Committee
The Events committee is responsible for creating, managing and coordinating events annually that generate funds for the foundation. A minimum of one main event will take place and be developed into a signature event on an annual basis. Smaller, more frequent events will be scheduled throughout the year with proceeds benefitting the foundation.
Education/Mentoring Committee
The education and mentor committee exists to develop and maintain the related foundation program components including scholarship application process, communication and administration.
Communication Committee
The communication committee is responsible for helping to develop, create and maintain the brand throughout all communication areas including website, social media and marketing or informational collateral.
To join a committee, please contact Diane Gandy, 702-430-4569 or
We welcome your participation, guidance, ideas and support.
As most committees only meet four times per year for one hour each time, attendance and engagement is important. We appreciate knowing in advance if a member is unable to attend. In the event a member misses two meetings without advising in advance, as we understand the busy nature of our industry, we may remove the member from the committee until his/her schedule allows for participation at a later date.
