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The SYTA Nominating Committee presents the following candidates for the SYTA Board of Directors. Voting opens Monday, July 20 at 12:00 PM EDT and closes Friday, July 31 at 5:00 PM Eastern. The official ballots will be sent to the primary contact of each Member organization.

Members can only vote for candidates within their respective member type. All member companies in good standing are eligible to vote. If you do not know whom the primary contact is or believe it may have changed, please contact Katy Summers at ksummers@syta.org or 703-672-8530.

  • Active Candidates – 2 Positions Available
  • Associate Candidates – 1 Position Available

Election results will be announced on Saturday, August 22 at the 2026 SYTA Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, PA, and an email will be sent to all members.

The name of an additional qualified Active nominee may be added to the ballot if a petition requesting same is signed by at least twenty (20) Designated Representatives of Active members in good standing and is received by the Secretary no later than July 5, 2026 which is at least fifteen (15) days in advance of the meeting or mailing date for ballots.

Watch as each candidate answers the question “What would you bring to the Board that the SYTA members can’t go without?” on our YouTube Channel.

Click here to read the 2026 SYTA Election Timeline.

SYTA’s Incoming President and Vice President

Dave Henley

Dave Henley

Grand Classroom, Inc.

SYTA President
2026-2028
George Nimmo

George Nimmo

Tour Resource Consultants

SYTA Vice President
2026-2028

Active Candidates

Stacy Barry

Stacy Barry

Sharin’ The South Tours LLC

My passion for student travel is deeply personal. Before entering the travel industry, I spent years as a school counselor, but not just in one community.  I served students in many states as my husband served 20 years in the military. Those experiences gave me a broad understanding of students, educators, and families, in different environments.
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David Chason

David Chason

Kelly Tours, Inc.

I am honored to be a nominee for the SYTA Board of Directors.  I began working for Kelly Tours in Savannah, GA in 2007.  My first assignment was taking four busloads of YMCA students to a water park. While I may not have been much help that day, it sparked my passion for student travel – especially if that meant going to more water parks!
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Abigail Holbrook

Abby Holbrook

Holbrook Field Trips

Growing up in the student travel industry gave me a firsthand understanding of the impact educational travel can have on students, educators, and communities. As a third-generation leader at Holbrook Field Trips, I have had the opportunity to work in nearly every aspect of the business, from operations and tour directing to leadership, sales, and financial planning.
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Associate Candidates

Juan Pablo Suarez

Juan Pablo Suarez

Ottawa Tourism

My connection to student travel is deeply personal. I came to Canada from Mexico as a student, and that experience changed my life. It opened doors, shaped my future, and showed me how travel can build confidence, broaden perspectives, and create opportunity. Today, as Manager, Travel Trade at Ottawa Tourism, I am proud to turn that personal journey into meaningful work that supports students and strengthens our industry.
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Laine Garner

Laine Garner

Louisiana Travel Association

With 27 years in hospitality and tourism, including 18 years with the Louisiana Travel Association and more than 20 years actively involved with SYTA, I am passionate about strengthening the travel industry through leadership, mentorship, and collaboration.
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Christopher Rosenow

Christopher Rosenow

Hudson Yards

I have been honored to be involved with SYTA for more than 10 years and have had the privilege of serving on numerous committees throughout that time. In 2025, I was especially proud to serve as Annual Conference Chairman, an experience that reinforced the strength and collaboration of the SYTA community — and left me with a lifelong love for Savannah, GA. SYTA has had a meaningful impact on both my professional growth and the organizations I’ve represented throughout my career. I am deeply grateful for the relationships and opportunities this community continues to provide.

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