SYTA Welcomes the 2025 SYTA Board of Directors Slate of Candidates
The SYTA Nominating Committee presents the following candidates for the 2025-2026 SYTA Vice President and SYTA Board of Directors. Voting opens Monday, July 18th at 12:00pm Eastern and closes Saturday, August 2nd, at 5:00pm Eastern.
Voting will happen electronically through Survey Monkey prior to conference and results are announced to candidates prior to conference. The link to vote will be sent to the primary contact of each Active, Dual and Associate Member organization. Members can only vote for candidates within their respective categories. 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.
Election results will be announced on Saturday, August 23rd at the 2025 SYTA Annual Conference in Savannah, GA
Vice President Candidate (1 open position)
Dave Henley
Grand Classroom
It’s been a pleasure to serve on the SYTA Board of Directors these past two years. I’m eager and ready to take the next step to serve as Vice President. SYTA is a membership organization, and I don’t want to serve based on my vision but based on yours. Together we will face challenges influenced by economic factors and an evolving hospitality industry that will require strong leadership and hard work. My experience as SYTA Treasurer and as Chair of the International Committee has prepared me for those challenges and given me a unique perspective into what it takes to maintain financial stability and grow our membership. I’m excited to serve you so that through SYTA you can achieve your goals of providing safe and rewarding experiences for students and young people.
Jennifer Deutsch
Educational Travel Adventures
As Vice President of SYTA, I will focus on listening, communication, and collaboration to guide our organization through today’s complex challenges—including tariffs, sustainability, DEIA, and more. I believe we must rely on facts, open dialogue, and the experiences of our members to shape thoughtful, effective responses. Supporting our Committees and amplifying their work is essential to aligning our actions with member needs. I am committed to consistent communication, so members feel informed, heard, and confident in our direction. When people see real progress and understand the “why” behind our initiatives, they are more likely to stay engaged and supportive. I also recognize that members may face challenges in adapting to evolving expectations, and SYTA can play a key role by offering practical resources, education, and examples of successful strategies. Together, we can foster a culture of shared purpose and ensure the continued growth and relevance of student and youth travel.
Active Candidates (1 open positions)
George Nimmo
Tour Resource Consultants
As someone deeply committed to the SYTA community, I hope to bring a fresh, forward-thinking perspective to the Board of Directors. With a diverse range of experiences as a music educator, tour operator, music festival director, and SYTA Youth Foundation Trustee, I offer a unique skill set, passion, consistency, and a proactive, detail-oriented approach.
As a small business owner, I understand the challenges faced by smaller operators. I would be honored to serve as a voice for smaller companies on a Board mostly comprised of larger operators. I plan to use my recent experience on the SYF Board to enhance collaboration and contribute to the best possible outcome for our membership and the students we serve.
I have been privileged to grow through SYTA and look forward to giving my all to our energetic, dynamic, and inclusive organization for many years to come. I’m all in. Will you join me?
Stacy Barry
Sharin the South Tours, LLC
With 16 years of experience as a teacher and school counselor, I understand the heart of student travel—what inspires students, and what educators need to make trips successful. That background continues to shape my work as the owner of a travel company that designs and implements customized tour packages.
Student travel is more than an itinerary—it’s a chance to spark curiosity, build confidence, and create lifelong memories. I bring an educator’s perspective and a planner’s precision to every trip we craft.
Being part of the SYTA community means championing experiences that change lives. I’m passionate about creating those moments for students and supporting the professionals who make them happen.
Tim Sweeney
WorldStrides
As a passionate advocate for youth engagement and cultural exchange, I am eager to contribute to the Student Youth Travel Association as a member of the board of directors. My experiences in global student organizations and extensive travel have equipped me with a unique perspective on the benefits of travel for personal and professional development. I have actively worked to promote inclusive and accessible travel opportunities for all students, believing that exposure to diverse cultures fosters empathy and understanding.
Through my leadership roles at WorldStrides and within various student organizations, I have developed skills in collaboration, strategic planning, and program development. I am committed to ensuring that our initiatives resonate with the needs of today’s youth, encouraging them to explore the world around them. I envision a future where every student has the opportunity to embark on transformative travel experiences. I am excited to bring my passion, creativity, and dedication to the board, working together to inspire the next generation of global citizens.
Associate Candidates (2 open position)
Allison French
Broadway Inbound
SYTA has played a pivotal role in my 20+ year journey in both tourism and Broadway. With a background in dance, I was introduced to the tourism world through student travel to Broadway—and I never looked back. Today, in my role at Broadway Inbound, I have the privilege of connecting these two dynamic industries, advocating for global tourism, supporting clients around the world, and navigating creative challenges every day.
Over the years, I’ve gained hands-on experience across operations, marketing, sales, technology, partnerships, and leadership. These experiences have helped me understand the diverse needs of our community and the importance of staying curious and collaborative.
Serving as Chair of the SYTA Youth Foundation and as a Trustee has deepened my appreciation for the impact we make together. As that chapter concludes, I’m excited for the opportunity to serve SYTA in a new way. On the Board of Directors, I will listen, collaborate, and contribute insights from both Foundation and Associate Member perspectives to support our continued growth and evolution as an organization and an industry. Together we can achieve great things!
Chris Massie
TravelAdvocates
As a teenager, I aspired to pursue a career in the tour and travel industry. During my travels with my parents throughout the USA and Canada in their RV, I frequently took on the responsibility of planning our daily itineraries. In high school, I organized trips for my Future Business Leaders of America Club as well as my class senior trip. Known as “The Bus Tour Planner” in my hometown, I began arranging trips for local travel groups, garden clubs, and civic organizations.
I advanced to owning a full-service travel agency, becoming a leisure and student tour operator, and motorcoach owner. My passion for the industry further developed as I engaged in tour planning and business development for the largest tour operator in the southeast, eventually serving as the Vice President of Business Development for a major attraction. Currently, as the Director of Strategic Development at TravelAdvocates, my affection for the industry continues to grow daily.
I am deeply honored to have been selected as a candidate for a position on the SYTA Board of Directors. To serve on a board where I can contribute to its strategic direction, increase awareness and to advocate on the impact of the Student-Youth Travel Market, and expand access to global student travel experiences would be a natural progression of my dreams and goals from my 30+ years in the industry.
I have held leadership positions on several industry boards and committees. Currently, I serve as Board Chair of Tennessee Tourism and Hospitality and as an active Board Member on the Pigeon Forge Tourism Advisory Board.
Greg Bottenhorn
Jassby
I’ve always had a passion for travel, so when we at Jassby got the opportunity to help make educational travel safer and more efficient by creating a cashless allotments process, we jumped at the opportunity. What I didn’t realize at the time was the amazing group of dedicated people it would lead me to working with. I am all in with you all in helping to provide amazing experiences for kids. I commit myself daily to not only being a vendor in the space, but a productive member of the community. Joining the SYTA board would be an honor, but also a logical next step for me in giving back to the community. I have always been one to raise my hand and volunteer to help lead. I look forward to having an opportunity to do that here.
Teresa Vlasic
Universal Destinations & Experiences
Decade of Discovery: My Journey with SYTA
For the past ten years, being a part of the Student & Youth Travel Association (SYTA) has been more than just a professional commitment—it has been a profound personal journey. SYTA’s mission to provide life-enhancing travel experiences to students and young people resonates deeply with me. The association’s dedication to instilling confidence in travelers through established safety standards and empowering members through advocacy and education mirrors my own values and aspirations.
Travel has always been a cornerstone of my life. Whether it’s exploring new destinations or planning the next adventure, the anticipation of discovery fuels my spirit. This passion for travel isn’t just about visiting new places—it’s about understanding diverse cultures, building connections, and fostering a sense of global citizenship. Through SYTA, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how travel shapes the leaders of tomorrow.
