American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute

Educational Certification Advisory Council (ECAC)

Who We Are

A network of hospitality thought leaders whose mission is to provide insights and strategic guidance on educational and professional-development certifications and programs. Serving as the voice of the hospitality industry, our Council fosters robust conversation among peers, facilitates knowledge sharing, and promotes inspiring success stories and career opportunities in hospitality. 

Our Mission

Advise on development of training & professional certification products
Recommend best practices for educational & professional development resources
Build strategic connections that inform best practices & career preparation
Develop strategies that encourage career growth

Meet Our Executive Board Members

Calvin Banks

Chair

Senior Vice President of People Development and Culture at Pyramid Global Hospitality

Shannon Rinella

Vice Chair

Senior Director Global Operations at Marriott International | Adjunct Lecturer at Georgetown University

Membership

Adrienne Weil, AHLA

Kimberly Guy, AHLAF

Max Turrentine, Aimbridge

Wilma Hall, Air Force Civilian Service

Anneliesse Cooper, Atrium Hospitality

Vinnie Rege, Bristol Community College

Brendan Genther, BWH Hotels

Trevor Mullins, Choctaw Casinos & Resorts

Chrystal Thrasher, Concord Hospitality Group

Kathy Flores, Crestline Hotels & Resorts

Angela Chu, Edinburh Napier University

John Rissi, Encore

Peter Ricci, Florida Atlantic University

Mike Hampton, Florida International University

Sandy Fulton, G6 Hospitality

Lisa Barlow, Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC

Christine Andrews, Hostmark Hospitality Group

Henri Kuokkanen, Institut Lyfe

Gilpatrick Hornsby, James Madison University

Kevin Roberts, Kansas State University

Katie Kerney, Marcus Hotels & Resorts

Kevin Carrigan, Marriott International

Shannon Rinella, Marriott International / Georgetown University

Murat Akan, MGM Beau Rivage Resort & Casino

David Swagger, Northampton Community College

Mark Molinaro, Northern Arizona University

Lisa Slevitch, Oklahoma State University

Myisha Smith, Pacifica Hotels

James Krebs, PM Hotel Group

George Ubbelohde, PMD Hospitality

Calvin Banks, Pyramid Global Hospitality

Travis Smith, Pyramid Global Hospitality

Phillip Brown, Sandals Resorts International

Kate Stiteler, Sonesta Hotels

Kristin Broadhead, Sonesta Hotels

Samer Hassan, St. Thomas University

Atul Gokhale, Symbiosis International University Pune

Melanie Adams, Towards Employment

Sheryl Kline, University of Delaware

Mike Nalley, University of Texas - Arlington

Wiwin Suyasa, VisionPlanner Indonesia

Nicole Kallenberg, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts


Joining the ECAC

General Membership is open to all individuals who work in hospitality, work to support the hospitality industry, or who teach hospitality courses at all levels (K-12, post-secondary, workforce development).

As a member of the ECAC, you will keep up with news, expertise, and resources focused on the benefit of education and connection, build relationships and strategic connections. Interested in joining? Complete the form below!

Our Contributions

Details coming soon!

Interested in joining?

Fill out this online submission form.

Submissions are reviewed by the Board Members within one month of submission.

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