Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) has announced its 2025–2026 HFTP Global Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
Leading the HFTP Global Executive Committee and Board of Directors as Global president is Jim Bina, secretary, treasurer, and vp of finance for Rosen Hotels and Resorts.
The new HFTP Global Board of Directors—comprising both new and returning members from across the hospitality sector—is designed to reinforce the association’s commitment to providing its members with comprehensive insights, resources and educational opportunities. With expertise spanning finance, technology, research and operations, the board is positioned to help achieve HFTP’s strategic objectives and deliver top-tier programs to its global membership.
“Being elected president is a tremendous honor,” Bina said in a statement. “HFTP has been instrumental in my own career development and I’m excited to give back by helping expand our educational offerings and global reach. Our industry’s financial and technology professionals are the backbone of hospitality operations and HFTP will continue to be their premier resource for professional growth and industry connections.”
The 2025–2026 HFTP Global Executive Committee includes global VP Andrew Buwalda, general manager of IT, finance and operations, Deerhurst Resort; global treasurer Barry Thomas, SVP of hospitality technology, luxury and lifestyle, Accor; global secretary Shannon McCallum, VP of hotel operations, Resorts World Las Vegas; global past president Justin Taillon, professor and department head, Highline College; and executive advisor Sherry Marek, CEO, Aiken Street.
The 2025–2026 HFTP Global Board of Directors, meanwhile, includes Ajay Aluri, founding director of the Nemacolin Hospitality Innovation and Technology Lab at West Virginia University; Christopher Begley, West Coast area manager of field services, hospitality systems, Sonesta Hotels; Arthur Burger, principal, Art Burger Consulting; Jeff Dekruif, general manager and COO, The Ford Field & River Club; Asif Ehsan, director of finance and accounting, St. Francis Yacht Club; Bryan Hammer, VP of IT, Belmond Hotels; Tessa Leverett, controller, Desert Highlands; Robert Mandelbaum, research director, CBRE Hotels Research; Tariq Valani, co-founder, Inntelo AI; Nishant (Neal) Patel, founder and CIO, Blue Chip Hotels; and Kevin Yarnell, senior executive, Cisco Systems.