2016
ISPA BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
ELECTED OFFICERS
CHAIRMAN
Michael Tompkins
Hutchinson Consulting
VICE CHAIRMAN
Todd Shaw
La Quinta Resort & Club
FROM YOUR
CHAIRMAN
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Laura Parsons
ESPA International (US) Ltd.
(Spa Division)
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN
Ella Stimpson
The Spa at Sea Island
DIRECTORS
Sharilyn Abbajay
ISPA Foundation Vice Chairman
Noel Asmar
Noel Asmar Group, Inc.
hen faced with a conundrum, do you have the courage to
make the call?
The ability to make decisions—and own it—is the difference
between a lousy boss and a great leader. Leaders have the courage
to make difficult decisions, even at the risk of failing.
It’s never easy to make tough decisions, but we make them every day
at work. Should we end a partnership that’s no longer mutually
beneficial? Should we implement a business strategy that critics may call unpopular? On a
personal level, should we switch gears and leave a current job in order to pursue a different path?
Recently, I’ve made my own tough decision when I decided to leave the wonderful team
at PALM Health to partner with Hutchinson Consulting in order to help continue the work
and legacy of a good friend and spa veteran, Lori Hutchinson. Her passing weighed heavily
on me, but it helped me realize that life is too short to be afraid of the “what-ifs.”
Let not fear of wrong decision cripple you with indecision. When faced with uncertainty,
I advise you to cling on to the wisdom of Ralph Waldo Emerson who once said: “Whatever
course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are
always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out
a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.”
So next time you are in a conundrum, have courage to make the tough call. Indecision in
itself is the worst business mistake you could ever make.
Blake Feeney
Feeney & Co.
Michael Harmsworth
ESPA International (US) Ltd.
Todd Hewitt
Shangri-La International
Kristine Huffman
Huffman Hospitality Concepts
Garrett Mersberger
Kohler Co.
Julie Oliff
St. Regis Aspen
Frank Pitsikalis
ISPA Foundation Chairman
Eric Stephenson
Well World Group
Dawn Tardif
BodiScience Wellness Center & Spa
Todd Walter
Red Door Spas
Lynne McNees
International SPA Association
MEDICAL ADVISOR
Brent A. Bauer, MD
Mayo Clinic
CHAIRMEN’S COUNCIL
Past ISPA Chairmen who
are current members:
—MICHAEL TOMPKINS, CHAIRMAN
2
PULSE
■
June 2016
Gayle Brady • Brady Spa Consulting
Jeff Kohl • Spa & Club Ideations
Jean Kolb • Well By Choice
John Korpi • Korpi & Korpi
Kate Mearns • 5 Spa Consulting LLC
Jim Root • Glen Ivy Hot Springs
Jane Segerberg • Segerberg Spa
Consulting, LLC
Deborah Waldvogel • Sedona Resorts