The International CHRIE Election Committee is pleased to announce the candidates for the 2024 ICHRIE Leadership Election.

For the position of Vice President

Perry Hobson
Dean/Director
Breda University

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Perry is the Dean/Director of the Academy of Tourism, Breda University (BUas) in The Netherlands. He has lived and worked in 6 countries, holds a Bachelor in hospitality from Oxford Brookes University (UK), a Masters from UMass-Amherst (USA) and a PhD in tourism from Southern Cross University (SCU) in Australia. He started his academic career at SIU-Carbondale. Moving to Asia-Pacific, he contributed to establishing ApacCHRIE. After holding various Board positions, twice hosting their conferences (Perth/KL), he served as Federation President. He served as Head of School at SCU, Dean and then Pro-Vice Chancellor of Global Engagement at Taylor’s University and later at Sunway University in Malaysia. He served as co-Editor of ICHRIE’s Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Education, in addition to being the Editor of the Q1 Journal of Vacation Marketing for over 20-years. In 2023, he was the recipient of iCHRIE’s Stevenson Fletcher Achievement Award.

I have had the pleasure of serving ICHRIE in various roles, and been a member of Federations in North America, Asia and Europe. First, I want to ensure we find new ways for iCHRIE to live up to the ‘international’ focus. While I support strong Federations, I also see that ICHRIE can further enhance its connectivity amongst all our members and federations. Second, I want to reach out and engage more widely with the new generation of younger academics and to get them to join ICHRIE as our ‘New-Gen’. Third, I am passionate about finding ways for ICHRIE to engage more closely with industry - to focus not only on employability of our students, but also to show leadership when it comes to the longterm sustainability of our industry. I believe I am a ‘good-fit’ for this role given the experience I have gained from holding senior positions at various institutions around the world.

Seung Hyun (Jenna) Lee
Associate Professor
East Carolina University

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It is with great honor that I stand before you as a candidate for the position of Vice President of ICHRIE. 

I am an Associate Professor at East Carolina University. I am a graduate of University of Central Florida where I obtained Ph.D. in Hospitality Management, and I have M.S. and B.S. in Hospitality Management from University of Nevada Las Vegas. I have been a member of ICHRIE since 2010, and I belong to the ICHRIE-SECSA Federation. Since 2020, I have served the ICHRIE board as Director of Research.

Through my time serving on the ICHRIE board, I have seen the importance of bridging a gap between industry and academia. First, I believe in the power of collaboration. I propose a dynamic and collaborative approach to research and education that actively involves industry partners. 2024 ICHRIE Research Marathon is an example of successful collaboration with industry. I am committed to fostering more of these meaningful collaborations with other industry partners. 

I am also committed to providing student members with enhanced value and support. I will advocate for resources tailored to the needs of students. Lastly, it is essential that ICHRIE embraces diverse perspectives from around the world. I will foster an inclusive environment where voices from different federations are not only heard but actively incorporated into our strategies. 

Thank you for your consideration.

For the position of Treasurer:    

Degree Director
Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences

Risto Karmavuo is a Degree Director at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences – Helsinki, Finland. In his current work position Risto is responsible for developing Finnish higher education in the fields of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Management.[HK1] 

He is a Haaga Hospitality Management graduate (BSc 2000, MSc 2007). His previous work experience includes wine consultancy in hospitality business, alumni coordinator duties for Haaga Institute and a senior lecturer position in Business Planning. Risto also works as part-time journalist, writing articles about food & wine and he is the author of several food & wine books.

Risto served the EuroCHRIE Board for several years as an Area Consultant, the Director of Networking and Conferences as well as the Treasurer. He was also a member of the organizing committee for the EuroCHRIE 2009 Conference. Currently he holds board member positions at the Worldwide Alliance by Institute Lyfe (ex-Paul Bocuse) and the International Center of Excellence in Hospitality and Tourism Education (THE-ICE).

My first connection to ICHRIE was the San Francisco conference back in 2007. My home institution Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences had just joined ICHRIE and I had the opportunity to participate in ICHRIE and EuroCHRIE federation conferences. Soon I became an area consultant, then the director of networking and finally the treasurer for several years. I have lost count, how many CHRIE and federation conferences I have attended, but it is always a pleasure to meet friends and get updated information from key note speakers and paper presentations.

It has been a few years now since my last CHRIE board positions as I believe it is good to circulate the board members. However, I am very motivated to run for the Treasurer position at ICHRIE and I believe my previous experience as the EuroCHRIE treasurer as well as my managerial skills makes me a strong candidate for this position. Haaga-Helia UAS is a long-lasting premium member of ICHRIE.

Andrew Moreo, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Florida International University

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Andrew Moreo, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Director of Research for Florida International University’s (FIU) Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (CSHTM), where he has been a member of the faculty since August 2016. He has also taken on the role of Editor-In-Chief of the International Hospitality Review. During his tenure at FIU, Dr. Moreo has taught undergraduate and graduate courses including Project Management for the Hospitality Industry, Senior Seminar in Hospitality Management, Restaurant Management, and graduate level Strategic Management, Restaurant Development, and Internship. Dr. Moreo’s primary research area involves employee and consumer behavior in the food and beverage segment of the hospitality industry. Finally, Dr. Moreo has been an ICHRIE member since 2016, attending both regional and national conferences. He had the honor of serving as Treasurer for the SECSA federation as well as sitting on the Finance Committee for ICHRIE. 

My platform consists of two planks: transparency and efficiency. As ICHRIE Treasurer I would serve to provide information to the ICHRIE Board of Directors, the ICHRIE Finance Committee, the Federation Boards, and our membership in timely and efficient manner, with as much transparency as possible. Having served as the Treasurer for SECSA during the accounting transition period, I am well acquainted with a variety of the reporting issues and would like to further streamline those processes. In this same vein, I see it as a vital step forward to support the implementation of a new payment system that would allow federations to have access to funds and be able to make payments directly to vendors without the need to pay out of pocket and request reimbursement. This legacy process is inefficient and requires members to spend their own personal finances before they are reimbursed. Thank you for this opportunity.

Berkita S. Bradford
Chair and Associate Professor
Virginia State University

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Dr. Berkita S. Bradford is a highly experienced professional with over 25 years of experience in higher education, including ten years in leadership roles. She is a proud graduate of Grambling State University and Kansas State University.

Berkita’s research interests lie in the intersection of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and entrepreneurship. She is deeply passionate about the professional growth and development of her students, former students, and colleagues. Her ultimate goal is to empower hospitality graduates to pursue long-term successful careers in the global hospitality industry relentlessly.

Her love for teaching and mentoring students inspired Berkita’s journey into higher education. She believes in the transformative power of education. 

She enjoys exploring new destinations through travel, reading, dining out, and engaging in friendly competition with her nieces and nephews at the bowling alley in her spare time.

As a well-accomplished hospitality professor with a solid academic background and industry ties, I would contribute significantly as the Director of Conference for ICHRIE.

My extensive knowledge and expertise in hospitality bring a unique blend of academic rigor and practical industry experience to the role. 

I would work diligently to curate a diverse range of conference topics. Leveraging industry connections, I would assist in securing keynote speakers who can provide valuable insights and inspire conference attendees.

Additionally, I would strive to create an inclusive and interactive conference environment that encourages networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among attendees while actively promoting ICHRIE's conferences to industry professionals, educators, and students, expanding the organization's reach. 

Overall, I would bring my passion for hospitality education, work ethic, industry insights, fresh ideas, and strong academic background to deliver impactful and engaging conferences that contribute to the growth and development of the hospitality industry.

Ruth Smith
Department Chair and Associate Professor
Bethune-Cookman University 

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Dr. Ruth Annette Smith, a globally certified hospitality educator and industry professional, serves as the Department Chair and Associate Professor of Hospitality Management at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Holding an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership, an M.S. in Hospitality Management, a B.A. (Hons.) in Hospitality Management, and a B.Ed. in Technological Studies and Hospitality and Tourism, Dr. Smith's educational journey spans across the USA, England, and Canada.

Proudly recognized as a Propel HBCU Faculty Fellow and a UNCF Faculty Fellow, Dr. Smith demonstrates her commitment to advancing education. Beyond the classroom, she has held the positions of VP, President, IVP, and Director of Education for SECSA Federation of ICHRIE. Fueled by a fiery passion for teaching, service, scholarship, research, and creativity, Dr. Smith tirelessly advocates for student success. Her commitment to lifelong learning is reflected in her transformational leadership and pedagogical expertise, making her a beacon of inspiration and leaving an indelible impact on those she encounters.

I would be honored to undertake the role of ICHRIE Director of Education for the 2024 term, dedicated to propelling the advancement of teaching and learning and in hospitality and tourism education. My previous experience as a SECSA Federation leader has enhanced my ability to inspire, motivate, and engage fellow educators. The unique experiences and insights gathered during my tenure, coupled with my diverse international background in both education and industry, position me effectively to address the global needs of ICHRIE's educators. I am enthusiastic about steering hospitality education into the 21st century and collaborating on pedagogical resources that cater to the engagement needs and learning styles of Generations Z and Alpha learners, equipping them for the challenges of the industry.

Driven by a passion for both technological and academic progress, I am committed to reinforcing ICHRIE's foundation of teaching and learning. Through extensive collaboration with ICHRIE members and industry partners, I aim to contribute to the global evolution of hospitality education.

Tony Kim
Assistant Director and Associate Professor
James Madison University

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Dr. Tony Kim is an associate professor and an assistant director of the Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management at James Madison University, and he is endowed with JW and Alice S. Marriott Professorship. Dr. Kim received a Ph.D. in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Purdue University in 2016. He got his Master of Tourism Administration from George Washington University. Dr. Kim earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from Han Yang University in Seoul, South Korea, and a BS in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 

Before joining the Ph.D. program, Dr. Kim worked as an Assistant General Manager in an international franchise restaurant for 8 years. Dr. Kim has published in peer-reviewed journals since his master's program and his research interest is food safety/sanitation and consumer behavior in restaurants. Dr. Kim has been an active member of ICHRIE since 2014 and NENA since 2016. 

It is my honor to be nominated to be the Director of Membership for ICHRIE. I am a well-organized and detail-oriented person who believes in collaboration, teamwork, and proactive leadership. As I am committed to serving as an active member of ICHRIE and with the experience of serving as the Director of Networking and Conference for the NENA federation from 2020 to 2022, I want to add continuous efforts to the current board and contribute to adding value to what is already existing. 

If elected, I will focus more on member engagement and satisfaction by providing more chances to network with other members during the conference and throughout the year and will learn what they most value in ICHRIE. In addition, by using social media and websites, I will reach out to existing members and recruit more potential members who can represent diverse areas. 

Eric D. Olson
Chair
Metropolitan State University of Denver

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Dr. Eric D. Olson (he/him) is currently the Chair of the Rita & Navin Dimond Department of Hotel Management at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Dr. Olson is currently co-editor of the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Cases.In 2023, Dr. Olson was a Fulbright Scholar at Vin University (Hanoi, Vietnam). While at Iowa State University, Dr. Olson served on the Central CHRIE board. He has also presented at ICHRIE, EuroCHRIE, Asia-Pacific CHRIE, Central Federation CHRIE, and West Federation CHRIE. 

I have experience with CHRIE attending conferences (presenting at 12+ ICHRIE conferences); leadership (board with Central ICHRIE); and editorship (co-editor of Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Cases. As ICHRIE Director of Membership, I would engage in the following initiatives to increase membership: (a) expand relationships with community colleges/technical schools/high schools; (b) increase membership through outreach for schools and universities in Central and South America; and (c) examine the opportunity to provide content/memberships for staff members of hospitality programs/departments (e.g., recruiting, advising, fiscal, etc.) to diversify our membership. 

Associate Professor and Director
University of Houston

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Dr. Minwoo Lee is an Associate Professor and Director of Hospitality Analytics and Innovation Lab at the Hilton College, University of Houston. His research focuses on digital transformation, ESG, big data analytics, and machine learning. Dr. Lee has published more than 49 peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, book, and book chapters in hospitality management. He has won more than 14 research excellence and best paper awards including 2022 ICHRIE Research Award and worked with HFTP, STR, Accor Hotel, Hilton, IHG, and others. Dr. Lee is currently serving on the ICHRIE’s Research Committee, New Journal Taskforce Team, Research Marathon Co-Chair, and ICHRIE Conference Track Chair. He is also actively engaging in the leading hospitality journals as Assistant Editor, Associate Editor, Guest Editor, Editorial Board Member, and reviewer. Dr. Lee earned his M.S. in Information Systems from Text Tech University, and Ph.D. in Management (Hospitality and Tourism Management Concentration) from UMass Amherst.

This is my 10^th year with ICHRIE, West CHRIE, and APacCHRIE as an avid presenter, moderator, panelist, author, and reviewer. I would like to play a pivotal role in achieving ICHRIE’s strategic goal based on four pillars (member services, research agenda, teaching and learning, organizational culture and capability). I will (1) introduce a cutting-edge and industry-focused research agenda through research forums, workshops, and seminars, (2) enhance global industry and research network to create innovative inter-disciplinary research by facilitating regional Chrie’s research collaboration and research capabilities with ICHRIE journals and editors, and (3) cultivate sustainable culture and organizational support to develop further our discipline-based theory, research philosophy, and industry case-studies through doctoral consortium and faculty development programs. I was able to learn, collaborate, and grow with various roles and services on research through ICHRIE. I believe that this makes me a good fit for the position of Director of Research. 

Xi (Cece) Leung
Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator
University of North Texas

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Dr. Cece Leung is Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Hospitality, Event, and Tourism Management at the University of North Texas. Cece has been an active member of ICHRIE since 2016 and served as ICHRIE conference paper review track co-chair (Service Management & Marketing Track) since 2020. Between 2020 and 2022, she served as Director of Networking for West Federation CHRIE and successfully organized two virtual federation conferences during the COVID-19. 

To date, Cece has published 85 articles in peer-reviewed hospitality and tourism journals (72 SSCI) and received 14 research awards, including “World’s Top 2% Cited Scientist List,” “Article of the Year Award,” “Conference Best Paper Award,” “Highly Commended Paper Award,” and “Most-Accessed Dissertations & Theses Award.” Cece currently serves as an Associate Editor for Tourism Review and Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and on the editorial boards of nine hospitality and tourism journals.

With eight years of active ICHRIE membership, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve as the Director of Research. Over the past five years, I’ve contributed to organization as the ICHRIE conference paper review track co-chair (Service Management & Marketing Track). During the challenging times of the pandemic, I undertook the role of Director of Networking for West Federation CHRIE and adeptly organized two successful virtual annual federation conferences.

With a distinguished research background aligned with ICHRIE's strategic plan, my goal as Director of Research is to advance hospitality research. Committed to fostering collaboration, I will work closely with the Research Committee and journal editors to serve our members and the industry with enhanced research programs and fresh perspectives. If entrusted with this role, I am dedicated to championing the growth and relevance of research within ICHRIE, creating a dynamic environment conducive to meaningful exploration and collaboration among members.