Anna Pobar
Vista Del Rio Lodge
owner
Brendon Smith
Lamar Outdoor Advertising
Sales Manager
Bill Lee
Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce
Executive Director
Bill Lee is the C.E.O. for The Gallup McKinley County Chamber of Commerce. Bill was appointed by Governor Susana Martinez, and unanimously confirmed by the New Mexico State Senate to serve on the New Mexico State Fair Commission. He is a 2012 graduate of the “Institute for Organization Management” and serves on the Board of Regents and as a Class Advisor for the program. Bill is a Past Chair of the New Mexico Chamber Executives Association, , and is the current County Commissioner for District 3 in McKinley County. He was recognized as a “Regional Champion” by the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments and as one of the “Top 22 C.E.O.s” of 2013 for the state of New Mexico by Albuquerque Business First. Bill also runs his own small business, offering Hot Air Balloon rides throughout the Gallup and reservation area.
Jennifer Lazarz
City of Gallup
Tourism and Marketing Manager
I'm originally from Chicago and have a diverse background in both arts, arts management, and business. I served as business manager for two locations of Chicago's premiere dance school Chicago Dance for three years, managed my own private voice studio for 9 years, and have maintained a professional classical music singing career for over 15 years. I have managed multiple music festivals, most notably the Sherrill Milnes and Friends Programs, the Savannah Voice Festival, and the Land of Enchantment Opera. I spent two years as the manager of the historic El Morro Theatre in downtown Gallup, New Mexico, and have for almost a year served the City of Gallup as the head of the Tourism department.
Guin White
Sunrise Springs Spa Resort
Director of Sales
Guin is:
• An award-winning professional with integrity and smarts and with a specialty focus in building relationships and closing business
• A tenacious problem-solver who works smart, enjoys a challenge and brings unexpected, but value-heavy design solutions
• An enthusiastic, knowledge-seeking closer of business, eager to meet challenges and quickly assimilate newest and latest technologies, skills, concepts and ideas
• A proven strategic partner with exceptional interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• A Native American business and marketing professional (Cherokee Nation)
• An award-winning professional with integrity and smarts and with a specialty focus in building relationships and closing business
• A tenacious problem-solver who works smart, enjoys a challenge and brings unexpected, but value-heavy design solutions
• An enthusiastic, knowledge-seeking closer of business, eager to meet challenges and quickly assimilate newest and latest technologies, skills, concepts and ideas
• A proven strategic partner with exceptional interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• A Native American business and marketing professional (Cherokee Nation)
Stephen Smith
Total Management Systems
Area Manager
Stephen has been in hospitality since 2002. He has worked in every type of hotel market, from Ohio to Alaska. He has brand experience within the IHG, Hilton, Marriott, Wyndham and Choice franchises.
Stephen orginally from Ohio and is a 2004 graduate of Youngstown State University where he earned a degree in Hospitality. In 2010 he moved to the great state of New Mexico and found his new home! He loves sports and likes to relate situations to sports theories. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife Lauren and son True. He lives by a concept of playing and winning.
Rick Tabone, CAS
Ice Blue Advertising
Sales
If you want it done … he’ll make it happen. That’s his company philosophy too, but somehow Rick seems to have a knack for accomplishment. “Just call Rick, he’ll take care of it” is fast becoming the local mantra.. His easy-going personality and passion for customer service plays a key role in our business structure.
•20 years in outside sales for American Airlines
•5 years as tradeshow consultant specializing in exhibit development, show marketing and logistics.
•Named CAPPA Supplier of the Year 2003
•Hobbies include – golf, skiing, fishing, ballroom dancing.
Rick’s primary responsibilities include sales management, IT advancements, and marketing consulting.
•20 years in outside sales for American Airlines
•5 years as tradeshow consultant specializing in exhibit development, show marketing and logistics.
•Named CAPPA Supplier of the Year 2003
•Hobbies include – golf, skiing, fishing, ballroom dancing.
Rick’s primary responsibilities include sales management, IT advancements, and marketing consulting.
Brandon Barela
Villa Myriam Coffee
Sales Director
Kerissa Dakini
Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm
General Manager
Coming from a family that owned and operated hotels and vacation rentals in Cancun Mexico for over 25 years, I have dedicated 18 years to the hotel and hospitality industry in the USA and internationally. Previously, I worked in Santa Fe, at some of the top-rated properties in New Mexico, including Inn of the Five Graces a Relais & Chateaux, Four Seasons Rancho Encantado, Starwood’s La Posada de Santa Fe and The Historical Bishop’s Lodge Resort and Spa. Kerissa believes in excellence in operations and customer service property-wide and most importantly, exhibits a true love for people, guests and staff alike
Sheila Seclearr
Ravenkind Productions
As National Sales Representative for HM Bookstore’s online E-book library, Sheila focuses on problem solving and targeted solutions for her customers’ hospitality education needs. She has a Communications degree from Loyola University Chicago and began her career in Chicago. She now lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Carla Beltran
New Mexico Hospitality Association
Intern
Felicia Yates
Heartland Payment Systems
Senior Product Advisor
I'm the Payroll Sales Manager for Heartland Payroll for New Mexico and West Texas.
I currently reside in the Albuquerque Metro area, but have clients throughout the State of New Mexico, and West Texas
I possess over 20 years in the Commercial Business insurance sector, and worked for large brokerage firms in Chicago, and segued into Payroll, HR and Workforce Capital several years ago, when I moved to New Mexico.
My interests extend to culinary arts, travel and dance.
I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you for coffee and learn more about YOU.
Thank you.
I currently reside in the Albuquerque Metro area, but have clients throughout the State of New Mexico, and West Texas
I possess over 20 years in the Commercial Business insurance sector, and worked for large brokerage firms in Chicago, and segued into Payroll, HR and Workforce Capital several years ago, when I moved to New Mexico.
My interests extend to culinary arts, travel and dance.
I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you for coffee and learn more about YOU.
Thank you.
Kathy Kunda
New Mexico Hospitality Association
Strategic Partnership Manager
Hello I am the Strategic Partnership Manager here at NMHA. I am upbeat and energetic. I am originally from Southern California and moved to New Mexico the first time in 2001. I worked in the paper distribution industry for nearly 20 years as a business fixer in the Southwest and West Coast Regions. After my last turnaround in San Diego, I decided to move back to New Mexico to start a different chapter of my life.
I come here with years of experience in rebuilding relationships, exceeding sales expectations, team building, creating communities and fellowship.
I love New Mexico and I'm excited work with clients from all areas of this beautiful state. My interests are the great outdoors, paddle boarding, camping being an MC for events, and most recently dancing. My passions are to make people laugh and inspire change.
Caitlin Krantz
Simply Social Media
Co-Owner, Simply Social Media, LLC
Alberto Solis
Hospitality Plus
President
Hospitality Plus is a procurement company with vast experience in FF&E and purchasing for multiple sectors in the Hotel Industry..
We believe that communication is the key of success in this industry, our team is committed to providing client satisfaction and up- to- date information on all aspects of your project. A reliable source for all your procurement needs , Hospitality Plus makes it a priority to provide information and resources to execute your project on time and under budget.
We believe that communication is the key of success in this industry, our team is committed to providing client satisfaction and up- to- date information on all aspects of your project. A reliable source for all your procurement needs , Hospitality Plus makes it a priority to provide information and resources to execute your project on time and under budget.
Miguel Garza
The Sage Hotel
GM
Tammy McClendon
Village Of Angel Fire
Ellyn Felton
Los Alamos County
Marketing Specialist
