Advisory Board Members provide a crucial link between research and industry, to ensure our research aligns with industry needs.

EFTI values the vital role that leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry play in shaping our academic programs. Through strategic collaboration, these industry partners contribute to the development, delivery, and promotion of our degree offerings. The Advisory Board plays a key role in establishing the University of Florida as the premier institution for Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management by actively engaging industry leaders in support of EFTI and the THEM curriculum.

EFTI Industry Advisory Board

Scott Taylor (Chair) - R&R Brands

Bob Schalow (Immediate Past Chair) - Diversified Restaurant Group

Alice Norsworthy (Past Chair) - Universal Destinations & Experiences

Hal Herman (Founding Chairman) - Worth Int'l Media Group

Edith Hall Friedheim - Eric Friedheim Foundation

Alfredo H. Gonzalez - AG Hospitality Group

Andrea Melotti - Brightline

Andrew T. Marcus - Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation

Barbara Gefen Jaffe - Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Carolyn Feimster - CJF Marketing International

William C. Guthrie - Foley & Lardner LLP

Chris Hoffman - Jacksonville Beaches

Danny Klein – QSR and FSR Magazines

Jay Wolszczak - First Watch Restaurants

Joe Williams - Seminole Hard Rock

John Meyers - Marcos’ Pizza

Jonathan Kaplan - IHG ® Hotels & Resorts

Kim Greene - Cencora

Laurel Herman - Worth Int'l Media Group

Marla Borkson - Office of Chief Counsel, IRS

Mike Andrew - Enterprise Holdings

Pavan Kapur - SnowStorm Tech

Phyllis Lockwood Geiger - Peterbrooke Chocolatier

Rick Merriman (Chair Elect)- The Walt Disney Company [former]

Rob Alday - Abode Luxury Rentals

Sean Doherty - Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau

Troy Flanagan - American Hotel & Lodging Association

Jason Gamel - ARDA

Vicki Johnson - Princess Cruises [former]

Ross Schilling - Vector Management

COMMITTEE

Chip Futch - Aqua Marketing & Communications

Gamal El Fakih Rodriguez - Marriott International Caribbean and LatinAmerica

Carson Chandler - Align Public Strategies

EFTI Emeritus Industry Advisory Board

Richard Goldman - St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & the Beaches CVB (Retired)

Tom Wasdin - Wasdin Associates, Inc.

William “Chip” Sharkey Jr. - Naylor, LLC (Retired)

uf lEADERSHIP

Dr. Mike B. Reid, Dean of College of Health and Human Performance

Dr. Rachel J.C. Fu, Chair of Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management | EFTI Director

In you have any suggestions or are interested in learning more about EFTI and the Industry Advisory Board, please contact Rachel Fu directly at racheljuichifu@ufl.edu.