The Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit, and as such, is governed the VRLTA Board of Directors. Our Board includes representatives from across the Commonwealth who are involved in the tourism and hospitality industries. In addition to our Officers and Executive Committee, VRLTA has Directors at Large representing each VRLTA Component as well as the Component Officers that fall under the VRLTA umbrella (Virginia Hotel & Lodging Association, Virginia Restaurant Association, Virginia Travel Association, and Virginia Hospitality Suppliers Association). These groups connect virtually throughout the year and in-person during our Day on the Hill and Fall Membership Meeting.
Lastly VRLTA has 8 current chapter boards representing Arlington-Alexandria, Blue Ridge-New River Valley, Bull Run, Charlottesville, Coastal, Fairfax-Loudoun, Richmond, and Shenandoah Valley. The structure of these chapter boards allows board members to connect with others in their area to share ideas, network, and learn.
Want to get involved as a VRLTA Board Member? Reach out to VRLTA's Vice President of Membership and Business Development, Brittany Wojdyla, or start with one of our area Chapters - each of these also has its own leadership team.
Officers
Chair of the Board
Catherine Fox
Friends of Southwest Virginia
Vice Chair of the Board
Pete Madigan
Uniwest Hospitality
Treasurer
Brian Wells
Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center
Treasurer
Amber Kostka
The Stockpot Restaurants
Executive Committee
Immediate Past Chair
2nd Immediate Past Chair
Virginia Hotel & Lodging Association President
Virginia Restaurant Association President
Virginia Suppliers Association President
Virginia Travel Association President
Government Affairs Chair
Mary Fugere, Hampton CVB
Tony Stafford, Ford’s Fish Shack
Lars Friedriszik, Cavalier Resort
Natalie McNamara, Harry's at Hofheimer
Gary Cohen, Hospitality and Advocacy Consultant
Megan Hazzard, Henrico County Sports & Entertainment Authority
Frank Brunetto, Envirocare
Directors At Large
Virginia Hospitality Suppliers Association
Kelly Brookins, Virginia Linen Service
Term: 2026-2028
Virginia Hotel & Lodging Association
Peter Triolo, Jr., Hotel Heron
Term: 2026-2028
Virginia Restaurant Association
Patrick Edwards, The Stockpot
Term: 2025-2027
Virginia Travel Association
Kevin Costello, Visit Prince William
Term: 2026-2028
Component Association Officers
Virginia Hospitality Suppliers Association
President – Gary Cohen, Hospitality and Advocacy Consultant (2025-2027)
Vice President – Rebecca Meyers, Advance Travel & Tourism (2025-2027)
Virginia Hotel & Lodging Association
President – Lars Friedriszik, Cavalier Resort (2025-2027)
Vice President – Brian Shanle, Kalahari Resort (2025-2027)
Virginia Restaurant Association
President – Natalie McNamera, Harry's at Hofheimer (2026-2028)
Vice President – Carlene Sharkey, Hilton Virginai Beach (2026-2028)
Virginia Travel Association
President – Megan Hazzard, Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority (2025-2027)
Vice President – Judy Winslow, Smithfield & Isle of Wight Tourism (2025-2027)
Chapter Presidents
Arlington-Alexandria Chapter
Blue Ridge-New River Valley Chapter
Bull Run Chapter
Charlottesville Chapter
Coastal Chapter
Fairfax-Loudoun Chapter
Richmond Chapter
Shenandoah Valley Chapter
Sarah White, Lost Dog Café/Westover Taco
Heidi Stone, Heidi Stone Hospitality
OPEN
Antwon Brinson, Culinary Concepts
Lacy Peterson, The Sitio Virginia Beach
Lonnie Lazear, Glory Days Grill
Alycia Sanders, The Westin Richmond
Katie Campbell, Waypoint Marketing Collective
Ex-Officio, Voting Directors
- Bill Dillon, Abbey Road Pub & Restaurant, Past Chairman 2005
- Christopher Savvides, Black Angus Restaurant, Past Chairman 2009-2010
- Jenifer Jackson, Comfort Inn Harrisonburg, Past Chairman 2011–2012– AHLA Representative 2014
- Randy Thompson, VistaGraphics, Inc., Past Chairman 2017
- Barry Biggar, Visit Fairfax, Past Chairman 2019
- Gary Cohen, Hospitality and Advocacy Consultant, Past Chairman 2020
- Beth Erickson, Visit Loudoun, Past Chairman 2021
- Frank Brunetto, EnviroCare Past Chairman 2022
- Russ Cronberg, UVA Foundation, Past Chairman 2023
- Tony Stafford, Ford’s Fish Shack, Past Chairman 2024
- Mary Fugere, Hampton CVB, Past Chairman 2025
- Rita McClenny, Virginia Tourism Corporation
- Mark Carrier, BF Saul Hospitality Group, AHLA Representative
- Nav Patel, Marquee Hospitality, AAHOA Representative
Want to get involved as a VRLTA Board Member? Reach out to VRLTA's Vice President of Membership and Business Development, Brittany Wojdyla to learn more.