Frances Manzitto
Frances is a veteran sales director with over 30 years in the tourism industry, 20 of which have been with
Advisory Panel
Advisory Panel
Our volunteer Advisory Panel shares their time and expertise. They provide insight that is critical to implementing relevant curriculum, enterprise services, and key strategies needed by students, employers, and the tourism industry as a whole.
Purpose of the Advisory Panel
The primary purpose of the advisory panel is to promote collaboration between specific educational programs and stakeholders in the tourism community. Career and technical education programs and associated outreach tools are designed to prepare students with skills, knowledge, and approaches to succeed within the workforce and provide better consumer travel experiences.
The advisory panel serves as advisors to the Academy, providing curriculum recommendations and support for quality programs and have no administrative or legislative authority. Working cooperatively with program administrators, staff and instructors, the advisory committee helps strengthen and improve the Academy. The success of workforce education depends, to a large extent, upon the activity and involvement of advisory panel.
Meet The Tourism Academy's Advisory Panel
Stephen R Ekstrom
Advisory Panel Chair and Chief Strategist at The Tourism Academy | TourismAcademy.org is Stephen Ekstrom. Ekstrom began his career in
Adam Burke
Adam Burke serves as President & CEO of Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board (Los Angeles Tourism), overseeing global brand
Gregory DeShields, CDE, CHE
Qualified Tourism/Hospitality and Academic Professional Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) proficient in developing and implementing plans, strategies, and initiatives specifically designed
Colleen Cleary
Colleen is a public relations strategist with nearly 20 years of marketing experience. Her eclectic consumer insight and vast knowledge
Kristina Wilson, JD, MBA
Kristina focuses her practice on General Counsel Services, Corporate Law, and Real Estate. Specifically, Kristina assists clients with corporate formation,
Jeffrey Ment, JD
Attorney Ment’s career in the travel industry began 40 years ago as a travel agent. He has been a tour
Reginald Miles, EdD
Dr. Reginald Miles is originally from Massachusetts and earned his Bachelor Degree in English from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Anna Karnowski
Consistently recognized by her peers as one of the top movers and shakers of the travel industry, Anna Karnowski was
Sheri Levinsky-Raskin, MAT
Sheri Levinsky-Raskin is the founder and president of SJLR Solutions LLC, a consulting company with the purpose to empower organizations
Sheena Works, MEd
Chief Learning Officer and member of the Association for Talent Development, Sheena has a deep desire to create a network
William J. Caldwell, CPA
With his extensive knowledge of tax codes combined with strong accounting skills, CEO William J. Caldwell is able to help
Roy Wentworth
“I’m very lucky,” reflects Roy Wentworth ’83, smiling, his eyes bright. Named Norwich Free Academy’s Athletic Director in April 2019,
Lisa Curtin, PAFM
Lisa spent 20 years in the tourism industry as VP of Operations with Brightspark Travel/Tui Travel before moving onto a
Keith Snode
Accomplished COO with a 10+ year track record of driving continuous improvement and enabling organization-wide mission and objectives. Dedicated to
Richard Peterson
An Ambassador For: Sustainable Tourism – Travel – Community Engagement – Art – Culture – History – Heritage – Brand