Two Industry Advisory Board Members recognized for their outstanding contributions

As we approach the end of our fiscal year, we want to recognize the accomplishments and thank our Industry Advisory Board for another year of dedication and support. In this past year, this group of outstanding professionals guided us with meaningful and timely research questions and helped us grow our Tourism Partners program with individual and corporate partnerships.  

Two members deserve special celebration at this time: Alice Norsworthy and Tom Wasdin.  

Alice Norsworthy has been the Chair of the EFTI IAB since 2017 and our Managing Director, Craig Schmitt speaks for all of us when he says “Alice has had an enormous impact on the Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute. Under her leadership as Chair of EFTI’s Industry Advisory Board, our faculty and staff have been provided a number of additional opportunities for industry engagement, helping to ensure the work we do in research and education continues to be relevant to the industry.” Alice is a proud Gator alum and has meaningfully contributed to UF throughout her career, which encompasses marketing, sales and leadership positions at Walt Disney World, Royal Caribbean International and Universal Parks and Resorts, where she is currently the Chief Marketing Officer. Hal Herman (Past Chair) says “Alice Norsworthy’s term as Chair of EFTI’s Advisory Board has been outstanding. She not only redefined our mission, but upgraded our goals and brought our Board to a higher level”.  Her team-centered leadership style began as a student at the University of Florida, where she was a UF cheerleader, member of Florida Blue Key, and as part of the committee for Gator Growl. HHP Dean Michael Reid joins us to thank Alice for her dedication, “As Chair of the EFTI Board, Alice brought energy and intellect to every aspect of her leadership. She introduced the Board to new elements of the Florida tourism industry. And as a loyal Gator, she was a passionate advocate for excellence in tourism education.” Ms. Norsworthy will be assuming the role of Past Chair this July, succeeded by Howard Tietjen.  

Tom Wasdin joined our advisory board in 2011, the same year his wife Susie joined HHP’s Dean Leadership Council. The Wasdins are described as “energetic leaders of alumni initiatives” and have been generous supporters of UF since 1989. Such commitment deserves a special recognition, and we are proud to announce that Tom Wasdin will be the first member of our Emeritus Industry Advisory Board. “Coach Wasdin has been a steady presence on the EFTI Industry Advisory Board, and has served with distinction and excellence. He has made significant and meaningful contributions, and we are honored to have him serve as the first Emeritus Industry Advisory Board Member” says Craig Schmitt, EFTI Managing Director. Tom is a double Gator with 22+ awards in his career, and is recognized by his accomplishments as the head basketball coach for the Jacksonville University. Tom is also a part of the College of HHP Alumni Hall of Fame (2009) and extremely involved with the college, to which HHP’s Dean Michael Reid states, “Tom helped make the EFTI Board the success it is today. For decades, the Board has benefited from his wise counsel and generous philanthropy. He richly deserves the honor of Emeritus Membership and we are honored to have him inaugurate this new tradition.” We are sure that Hal Herman can speak for the other members of the EFTI Industry Advisory Board when he states, “From the first moment Tom Wasdin became a member of the Advisory Board, he supported all our efforts with his ideas, time and financial contribution and set the standard for all of us to follow.”  

Join us celebrating the accomplishments of our IAB members as we look forward to a bright future for the Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute in the upcoming year with new members and even more research insights.