2020 ISPA Board of Directors and Officers Elected

The International SPA Association (ISPA) has announced the 2020 ISPA board of directors and officers. Their term will begin at the first ISPA board meeting following the 2019 ISPA Conference & Expo.

 “As a volunteer-driven association, we are grateful for committed members willing to move the association forward through board service,” said ISPA President Lynne McNees.  

The ISPA board of directors will be led by Chairman Garrett Mersberger, director of sales, marketing & spa for Blue Harbor Resort & Spa. Brennan Evans, vice president of operations for Trilogy Spa Holdings, will assume the role as Vice Chairman. Continuing in the role of secretary/treasurer will be Robert Vance, retreats director of Sensei Retreats Lana’i. Todd Shaw, national manager private clubs & country clubs for Technogym, will continue to serve as immediate past chairmen.

ISPA is excited to welcome five new members to the board, who are listed below.

  • Natasha Burns, senior director of spa & wellness, 21c Museum Hotels
  • Lynelle Lynch, president, Bellus Academy and founder of Beauty Changes Lives foundation
  • Dawn MacLellan, director of spa & salon, St. Andrews Country Club
  • Jay Muller, vice president, hospitality - North America, Technogym
  • Eric Savage, CEO, Freedom Spa, LLC

In addition to the five newly elected board members, Patrick Huey, corporate director of spa operations for Montage Hotels & Resorts, and Robert Vance, retreats director for Sensei Retreats Lana’i, were re-elected as incumbent directors.

Each of the newly elected candidates were selected from an impressive pool of candidates following an extensive nomination and interview process. 

Joining this group are seven current directors who are in the middle of an active board term: Jill Carlen, global director of spa concepts, Hilton; Kelley Martin, spa director, The Edgewater Spa; Kristine Huffman, partner, Hutchinson Consulting; Michelle Adams Somerville, executive VP billings farm & museum, Woodstock Inn & Resort; Yvonne Smith, director of spa & resort retail, La Rive Spa at Northern Quest Resort & Casino; Eric Stephenson, chief wellness officer, Elements Massage; and Jessica Timberlake, public relations manager, Eminence Organic Skin Care.

Frank Pitsikalis, founder and chief executive officer, ResortSuite, will serve as the chairman of the ISPA Foundation board of directors.

Scott Duncan, Noel Asmar, Blake Fenney and Laura Parsons will complete their terms on the ISPA board of directors after they served in various volunteer roles within the board and other ISPA committees. 

The interview process for the 2021 ISPA board of directors will launch spring 2020. At that time, a call for candidates will be announced to all ISPA members.

Category: 

News

Texas Introduces Second Exam Option for Massage Therapy Applicants

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation announced that massage therapist applicants now have a second licensing testing method from which they can choose, the Texas Massage Therapists Examination. Learn about exam registration, cancellation policies, and location sites.

Florida Bill Requires Gender-Exclusive Restrooms

Florida lawmakers passed a bill that requires individuals to use, and certain public spaces to provide, restrooms that align with their sex assigned at birth. Find out how House Bill 1521, signed by Governor Ron De Santis, may affect your school.

Arizona Repeals Communication Proficiency Tests

The Arizona legislature adopted House Bill 2012, which eliminates the requirement for the State Board of Massage Therapy to establish communication proficiency requirements for applicants applying for a massage therapy license.

Blog

How Many Massage Therapists Are in the US?

Massage Therapists in US 2023

Based on the work conducted for our 2023 process, ABMP estimates the number of massage therapists in the United States at approximately 321,493, which is down from the height of 2019’s estimate of 334,221.

Join ABMP at the Premiere Orlando Show

ABMP at Premiere Orlando

ABMP is thrilled to partner with Ann and Lynn Teachworth of Trunamics to offer two CE courses in the massage therapy track at Premiere Orlando, June 3–5, 2023.

Benefits

Podcast: Exploring Plantar Foot Pain

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Kristin and Darren are joined by Whitney Lowe to discuss common causes of foot pain (including Morton’s Neuroma), muscle-tendon pathology, and some treatment options for each one.

Podcast: All Islands Meet Underwater

On this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Doug Nelson and Jennifer Crozier discuss why opening a massage therapy clinic is a viable career path and how community relations are the best marketing strategy.

Podcast: Knowing Expectations in the Work Environment

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Nate Nordstrom and Carrie Wiedemann from Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa join Kristin and Darren to discuss knowing your expectations in the work environment and how open communication during an interview can help set the tone during your tenure.

Please note: We have recently updated our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Learn more...