Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) has announced its 2024–2025 HFTP Global Executive Committee and Board of Directors, effective November 1, 2024.
The new HFTP Global Board of Directors, comprising both new and returning members from diverse hospitality sectors, reinforces the association’s commitment to supporting its members with comprehensive insights, resources, and educational opportunities. With expertise spanning finance, technology, research, and operations, the board is well-equipped to achieve HFTP’s strategic objectives and provide top-tier programs to its global membership. This leadership team is set to drive HFTP’s mission, promote professional growth, and elevate industry standards, ensuring continued innovation and excellence in hospitality finance and technology.
Leading the HFTP Global Executive Committee and Board of Directors as Global President as of November 1, 2024, is Justin Taillon, CHTP, CHIA, MBA, Ph.D., professor and department head of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HOST) at Highline College. Taillon, who has been deeply involved with HFTP through various leadership roles, emphasized the significance of this new chapter: “HFTP’s executive team and board of directors are beginning a new chapter. We released our new strategic plan with an updated mission and vision recently. In alignment with our organization’s direction, we plan to enhance our global presence, release the newest edition of USALI, and increase our education offerings while remaining committed to what makes HFTP special: our membership and dedication to the advancement of hospitality finance and technology.”
He further noted, “Our Board and Executive Committee bring the necessary expertise, diversity, and innovative perspectives to drive our new mission and vision forward. Together, we will champion initiatives that empower our members, elevate industry standards, and foster a future where technology and finance work seamlessly to enhance the guest experience and operational success across hotels, clubs, and the hospitality industry globally.”
HFTP 2024–2025 Global Executive Committee:
- President — Justin Taillon, CHTP, CHIA, MBA, Ph.D.; Professor and Department Head; Highline College and Central Washington University
- Vice President — James Bina, CHAE+, CHTP+; Treasurer and Director of Finance; Rosen Hotels & Resorts Inc.
- Treasurer —Andrew Buwalda, CHAE; General Manager of IT and Finance; Deerhurst Resort
- Secretary — Barry Thomas, CHTP; Vice President of Technology; Orient Express, Raffles and Fairmont, Accor
- Immediate Past President — Stephanie Anderson, CHAE, CPA, CGMA; CFO; River Bend Golf & Country Club
- Executive Advisor — Sherry Marek; CEO; Aiken Street
- Ex-Oficio — Frank Wolfe, CAE, FIH; CEO; HFTP
HFTP 2024–2025 Global Board of Directors (* denotes new directors):
- Chris Begley, CHTP — Area Manager, Hospitality Systems; Sonesta Hotels*
- Katerina Berezina, Ph.D., CHTP, CRME, CHIA— Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management; University of Mississippi
- Arthur Burger, CHAE+ — Principal, Art Burger Consulting*
- Jeff Dekruif, CCM, CHAE, PGA Associate — General Manager and COO; The Ford Field River Club*
- Asif Ehsan, EMBA, CHAE — Controller; St. Francis Yacht Club
- Robert Mandelbaum — Research Director; CBRE Hotels Research
- Shannon McCallum — Vice President of Hotel Operations; Resorts World Las Vegas
- Tariq Valani — Global Senior Vice President, IT; Accor/Fairmont
- Kevin Yarnell — Senior Executive, Hospitality and Retail; Cisco Systems*
For more information on HFTP leadership and leadership opportunities, visit the HFTP Leadership page on HFTP.org.
About HFTP
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), established in 1952, is a hospitality nonprofit association headquartered in Austin, Texas USA with an offices in the EU. HFTP is recognized as a group supporting the finance and technology segments of the hospitality industry with an international network of members and stakeholders. HFTP offers expert networks, educational resources, career development programs, research, leadership opportunities and conferences and events. HFTP produces international events throughout the year, including the world’s largest hospitality technology tradeshow and conference brand: HITEC. In addition, it oversees the hospitality-specific Pineapplesearch.com® and the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI), Hotel-Online and Hospitality Upgrade Magazine. For more information about HFTP, visit www.hftp.org.
Caroline Palmer
Special Projects Liaison
HFTP
