Leadership

HSMAI America’s leaders represent a cross section of the industry’s most respected hotel and hospitality brands, destinations, and suppliers.

HSMAI Americas Executive Committee

Chair
Michael Innocentin
Chief Marketing Officer,
Omni Hotels & Resorts

Michael Innocentin leads the digital marketing strategy across all of the Group’s brands in the North and Central American region. His key responsibilities include maximizing digital activity for the Group’s portfolio by increasing traffic and revenue generated to proprietary brand sites through eCRM, SEO, SEM, social media, affiliate marketing, display advertising and other tactics.

Chair Elect
Agnelo Fernandes

An industry veteran, specializing in hospitality and lifestyle brand leadership, with more than 25 years of experience, Agnelo has led the development, launch, and repositioning of resorts and hotels in North America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Central America. He has held senior executive positions within the hospitality industry with recognized brands such as Canyon Ranch, Sonesta Hotels International, and Rex Resorts.

Treasurer
Stephanie Glanzer, CMP
Chief Sales Officer and SVP,
MGM Resorts

Recognized sales leader in the hospitality and meetings industry with 25+ years of experience, focusing on team development, producing results and guest experience. I am responsible for the overall sales strategy and operations for MGM Resorts International.

Immediate Past Chair
Andrew Rubinacci, CHSP
Chief Advisory Officer, FLYR

Mr. Rubinacci is a 25-year veteran of the hospitality industry, with extensive experience spanning sales, revenue management, guest services, hotel operations and e-commerce. Most recently, Mr. Rubinacci served as Senior Vice President, Distribution & Revenue Management Strategy, responsible for all facets of IHG’s channel strategy, pricing, and revenue optimization.

President & CEO
Brian Hicks

Hicks began his hospitality career after earning a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He joined The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company in Atlanta, Georgia, and subsequently transitioned to IHG Hotels and Resorts, where he held multiple leadership roles across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. His innovative contributions, such as launching IHG’s “revenue management for hire” program and establishing the first in-market revenue center for managed hotels in New York City, have solidified his reputation as a forward-thinking strategist.

Secretary
Gissell Moronta
SVP, Sales & Marketing,
Atrium Hospitality

Gissell leads strategic revenue and sales initiatives across Atrium Hospitality’s diverse hotel portfolio. A respected hospitality leader, she’s an HSMAI Top 25 Extraordinary Mind, an industry advisor, and Harvard‑educated professional committed to team development, diversity, and commercial excellence.

HSMAI Americas Board Members (2026)

  • Anil Aggarwal, CEO, Milestone
  • Jennifer Bader, Vice President, Global Brand, Marriott International
  • D.C. Becker, Principal, Titan Group of New York, LLC
  • Brian Berry, Chief Commercial Officer, Pyramid Global Hospitality
  • Nelson Boyce, Managing Director, Travel, GOOGLE
  • Dawn Briggs, Senior Director, Global Strategic Partnerships, Sojern
  • Dana Cariss, CHDM, VP,  Revenue Strategy + Distribution, CoralTree Hospitality 
  • Kathleen Cullen, CRME, Executive Vice President, PTG Consulting 
  • Sean Dee, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer, Outrigger Hospitality Group
  • Justin Farmer, SVP, Business Strategy, MMGY Global
  • Anja Fiedler, CRME, VP, RM Systems and Solutions, Accor
  • Mike Gamble, President and CEO, SearchWide Global
  • Allison Handy, Chief Commercial Officer, Aimbridge Hospitality
  • Jay Hubbs, CHDM, Vice President-Advertising, Marketing, Innovation and Analytics, BWH Hotels
  • Jonathan Kaplan, VP, Commercial, Essential & Suite Brands, IHG Hotels & Resorts
  • Michael Klein, SVP Global Revenue Management, Hyatt Hotels
  • Kevin McAteer, SVP of Sales & Marketing, Concord Hospitality
  • Mark Molinari, CRME, Senior Vice President of Revenue Management & Commercial Strategy, Venetian Las Vegas
  • Abhijit Patel, VP of Revenue Management and Distribution, Choice Hotels
  • Jeff Patton, Vice President of Sales, Americas, Hilton Hotels
  • Garth Peterson, CRME, VP, Global New Business, IDeaS Revenue Solutions
  • Kelly Poling, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer, Extended Stay America
  • Ankur Randev, Chief Commercial Officer, Highgate Hotels
  • Kristen Richter, Chief Commercial Officer, Peregrine
  • Matthias Schreiner , Senior Manager Global Accounts, Booking.com
  • Michael Shiwdin, Group VP, Guest Engagement, Loyalty, and Strategic Partnerships, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
  • Ed Skapinok, Chief Commercial Officer, Explore St. Louis
  • Max Smith, Worldwide Sales Manager, Sports, BWH Hotels
  • Jeff Spaccio, EVP, Global Hotel Brands, Tambourine
  • Joe Spirito, CHDM, Vice President, Demand Generation Advisors, Amadeus
  • Amanda Voss, Vice President , MGM Resorts International
  • Haley White, Senior Director, Global Strategic Accounts, Expedia Group Media Solutions

Past Chairs

  • 2024-2025 | Andrew Rubinacci
  • 2022-2023 | John Washko
  • 2020-2021 | Marina MacDonald
  • 2018-2019 | Mark Thompson
  • 2016-2017 | Jeff Senior
  • 2014-2015 | Rob Torres
  • 2012-2013 | Barb Bowden
  • 2010-2011 | David Atkins
  • 2008-2009 | Dorothy Dowling
  • 2006-2007 | Jack Schmidt
  • 2004-2005 | Maureen O’Hanlon
  • 2002-2003 | Salvatore Dickinson, CHME
  • 2001-2002 | Bruce S. Himelstein, CHME
  • 2000 | William E. “Bill” Weld, CHME
  • 1999 | Peter Warren, CHME
  • 1998 | Hoyt W. Bacon, CHME
  • 1997 | Dawn O’Flannery Walzak, CHME
  • 1996 | Gary Leopold, CHME
  • 1995 | Chris Avery, CHME
  • 1994 | Pamela M. “Pam” Richardson, CHME
  • 1993 | Bruce R. Timson, CHME
  • 1992 | Karen Colliton-Thompson, CHME
  • 1991 | William R. “Bill” Volk, CHME
  • 1990 | James P. “Jim” Tierney, CHME
  • 1988-1989 | John J. Russell,Jr., CHME
  • 1987 | Neil W. Ostergren, CHME
  • 1986 | Thomas L. Knowlton, CHME
  • 1985 | Mervyn M. Levine, CHME
  • 1984 | Clifford M. Johnson, CHME
  • 1983 | David A. Troy, CHME
  • 1981-1982 | Nita Lloyd-Fore, CHME
  • 1980 | Thomas T. McCarthy, CHME
  • 1979 | Robert D. McGrail, CHME
  • 1978 | W.E. Hooper, CHME
  • 1977 | Robert W. Phillips, CHME
  • 1976 | Michael A. Leven, CHME
  • 1975 | William E. Worsham
  • 1974 | Davis B. Evans, CHME
  • 1973 | Sig S. Front, CHME
  • 1972 | Edmond Sansovini, CHME
  • 1971 | Winthrop W. “Bud” Grice, CHME
  • 1970 | Franklin B. Hignett, CHME
  • 1969 | Jim Bearce, CHME
  • 1968 | Donald B. Martin, CHME
  • 1967 | Charles V. Grigsby, CHME
  • 1966 | Angus R. MacDonald
  • 1965 | Leonard R. Oakes, CHME
  • 1964 | Louis E. Rogers
  • 1963 | Victor E. Barrett
  • 1962 | Earl G. Duffy
  • 1961 | Arthus F. Taylor, CHME
  • 1960 | John H. Sienold
  • 1959 | George W. Powell, CHME
  • 1958 | Frank W. Berkman, CHME
  • 1957 | William MOrton
  • 1956 | Jack M. Stone
  • 1955 | Elmore C. Bacon, Jr.
  • 1954 | E.D. Parrish
  • 1943 | Nicholas C. Bicking
  • 1952 | Charlie L. Bird
  • 1951 | Gregory R. Lucy
  • 1950 | H.M. Smith
  • 1949 | Duiane W. Carlton, CHME
  • 1948 | C. DeWitt Coffman, CHME
  • 1947 | Charles T. Craddock
  • 1946 | Leonard Hicks
  • 1945 | William G. Hastings
  • 1942-1944 | Clayton S. Hicks
  • 1941-1942 | Adrian W. Phillips, CHME
  • 1940-1941 | F. Burton Fisher
  • 1939-1940 | G.E.R. “Dick” Flynn
  • 1937-1939 | Hugh J. Connor
  • 1936-1937 | L.E. Pierce
  • 1930-1933 | William C. Royer
  • 1927-1930 | John C. Burg