EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Dan Rama
Dan Rama
Chairman of the Board

Principal & Managing Director
NewGen Worldwide

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Jerry Fischer
Immediate Past Chairman

Executive Vice President
HSL Properties 

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Ghee Alexander
Chair, Southern Arizona

Chief Operating Officer
Desert Hospitality

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Steve Eberhart
Chair, Finance

General Manager
Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa

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Joe Iturri
Chair, Education

General Manager
Caesars Republic Scottsdale

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Stan Kantowski
Chair, Membership, Events, & Northern Arizona

Managing Director
Enchantment Resort & Mii amo

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Amilyn Pierce
Chair, Government Affairs

VP, Government Affairs
Arizona Diamondbacks

Sacco
Rachel Sacco
Chair, Valley

President & CEO
Experience Scottsdale

Garcia
Marc Garcia
Executive Committee

President & CEO
Visit Mesa

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Paul Gray
Executive Committee

General Manager
Arizona Grand Resort and Spa

Rick Huffman
Rick Huffman
Executive Committee

President & CEO
HCW

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Ron Price
Executive Committee

President & CEO
Visit Phoenix

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Gloria Ruvalcaba
Executive Committee
 Executive Administrator
Crescent Crown Distributing
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Neal Williams
Executive Committee
Divisional Vice President,
ENCORE Venues Southwest

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dharmesh Ahir
Dharmesh Ahir
Southwest Regional Chair
AAHOA
Steve Barclay
Steve Barclay
Executive Director
Beer & Wine Distribution of AZ
Danette Bewley
Danette Bewley
President & CEO
Tucson Airport Authority
Bridget Binsbacher
Bridget Binsbacher
Executive Director
Cactus League Baseball Assoc.
Dennis Caldwell
Dennis Caldwell
Principal & President
Caldwell Watza Construction
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Patrick Connors 
General Manager
Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak
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David Craig
Managing Director
Canyon Ranch Tucson
Derek Ellis-resized
Derek Ellis
General Manager
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Herschel
Herschel Fink
Government Affairs Representative
Arizona Public Service
John Fitzgibbons
John Fitzgibbons III
President
Pink Adventure Tours | Herschend
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Peter Fleming
VP & General Manager
Enterprise Mobility
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Shelby Francom
General Manager
Hilton El Conquistador Tucson
Garcia
Felipe Garcia
President & CEO
Visit Tucson
Rob Goins-resized
Rob Goins
General Manager
Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa
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John Graham
Chairman & CEO
Sunbelt Holdings
Geoffrey Grey
Geoffrey Gray
Managing Director & GM
The Global Ambassador
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Jody Harwood
VP & Managing Director
Grace Hospitality
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Helen Heiden
Public Affairs Administrator
Southwest Gas
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Patti Hunt
Corporate Director of Operations
Stanford Hotels Corporation
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Scott Hutchings
Director of Government Affairs
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Grace Klawitter
Grace Klawitter
Senior Strategic Energy Manager
SRP
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Matt Lebowitz
Vice President of Sales
Republic National Distributing Co.
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Chad Makovsky
Director of Aviation Services
Phoenix Sky Harbor Int. Airport
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Gregg Martinez
Eco. Development, City of Page and President & CEO, Visit Page
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Michael Morton
Vice President of Brand Management & Member Services
BWH Hotels
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Ash Patel
President & CEO
Southwest Hospitality Management
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Leo Percopo
Area General Manager
JW Marriott Camelback Resort
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Don Rea
VP, The PGA of America
& Owner/Operator, Augusta Ranch
Golf Club
Neil Shah
Neil Shah
President
Inntech Management
Cal Sheehy
Cal Sheehy
General Manager
London Bridge Resort
1517709843570
Kris Strauss
EVP, Global Sales & Marketing
Troon
Beatrice Turcu 1
Beatrice Turcu
Choice Region 12 Co-op
Council & General Manager
Comfort Suites at Tucson

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Nomination Criteria

Application Guidelines

All honorees must be employed by hotels, attractions, tourism businesses, hospitality or other supporting businesses that are of the Arizona hospitality industry.

Who can enter?

The Stars of the Industry awards competition is open to all Arizona hospitality businesses, hotels, and tourism employees.

Who can nominate a Star?

Anyone! A nominator can be an employer, a manager, a friend, regular customer, or anyone else who knows a Star in Arizona’s hospitality industry who deserves recognition.

What does it cost to enter?

Entering or nominating for the Stars of the Industry Awards is free.

What do nominees receive?

All nominees will receive an AzLTA Stars of the Industry Recognition Certificate.  The winners of each award will be announced at the Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheon on June 16, 2023 and receive an engraved plaque at the awards presentation.  All winners will be announced in AzLTA’s Industry Insider newsletter, by a press release, and on the AzLTA website. Winners will automatically be entered in the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s national Stars of the Industry Awards program. It is AzLTA’s privilege to celebrate the accomplishments of all the nominees and winners presented each year.

Nominations and Eligibility

The nomination process begins in April and we’ve made it easy.  Simply complete the online nominee application form and email the application to AzLTA explaining why the nominee deserves the Star award in their category.

Rules & Judging Criteria

Nominees must have served in the industry for a minimum of two years (please state total number of years in description) and will be judged on performance beyond normal job responsibilities, professionalism, and outstanding and unusual service to the property, guests and the community.

Using no more than three double-spaced pages, describe why your nominee should be honored. Give examples of:

  • Extraordinary support to fellow employees.
  • Specific event(s) that best describes the nominee’s exceptional service.
  • Outstanding leadership qualities, heroic deeds or actions that consistently add to the general well-being of guests.
  • Other great accomplishments to the industry or community.

Include photos and any materials substantiating the award entry, such as letters of commendation, guest comment cards, news clippings and other support materials received during 2021-2023 for the judges’ consideration.

2022 HONOREES