Get to Know New Chamber Board Members
AS SEEN IN THE RED ROCK NEWS
September 13, 2019
The all-volunteer Sedona Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau Board of Directors is an excellent cross section of Sedona’s civic-minded business community. The Board backed the Sustainable Tourism Plan from the beginning, and today is at the forefront of the Chamber’s engagement in traffic mitigation, environmental stewardship and improving resident quality of life. The Board led support for Sedona in Motion transportation projects, endorsed an innovative financial support program for the Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund, and continued Chamber sponsorship of sustainable events such as the Sedona MTB Festival, The Sedona International Film Festival and Run Sedona.
I am delighted to welcome four new members to this dynamic group, elected by our 850+ Chamber partners. They are already offering welcomed new perspectives.
Jesse Alexander: Sedona Center
Jesse is an Arizona native with 30 years of hospitality management experience. He is the Chief Operating Officer for the Canyon Portal and Sinagua Plaza shopping centers in Uptown, as well as the Sedona Trolley, three Uptown restaurants and retail stores.
Jesse has a BS degree from ASU in Human Resource Management and served as General Manager of the L’Auberge from 2008 to 2016.
Jesse believes Sedona is “a special place,” and says the visitor experience should always include “feeling the specialness” of Sedona. Jesse is an avid long-distance runner, rock climber and outdoor adventurer.
Stan Kantowski: Enchantment Resort
Stan has held VP and GM positions in four- and five-star destinations throughout the West and in 2002, he led the team responsible for food and beverage operations for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Salt Lake City Olympics. Under his leadership, Mii amo at the Enchantment was named the #1 Domestic Destination Spa in the Travel + Leisure World.
Stan is always involved in the community, having held significant industry, tourism and Chamber positions in Palm Springs, Coachella, Riverside and Squaw Valley, California. Stan was awarded a Business Administration doctorate from USC, an MS in Education from Loyola and speaks fluent Polish and Italian.
Susan Obijiski: Ramsey’s Rocks and Minerals
Susan has 30 years of corporate management experience in software development, product development and quality management. Today, she is co-owner (along with her husband) of Ramsey’s Rocks and Minerals, a popular mineral and jewelry store offering custom-made jewelry, workshops, jewelry repair and holistic consulting.
Susan manages six blogs and writes technical content for two software companies. She also published a three-book series of metaphysical work entitled ‘Legacy of Dreams’ and is a contributing author for ‘Sedona Awakenings’.
A true Sedona Chamber Ambassador, Susan is a Board-Certified Medical Massage Therapist, Reiki Master, and Crystal and Stone Therapy Practitioner and Teacher.
Randy Ortiz: The Arabella Sedona
Randy is the managing director for The Arabella Sedona. He has been in the hospitality industry for 36 years with extensive experience in food & beverage operations and 20 years with Hilton Worldwide Marketing, Advertising & eCommerce. Randy is a graduate of Arizona State University with a B.F.A. in Fine Art Photography and recently held the position of DOSM at L’Auberge de Sedona from 2016 – 2018.
Rebranding The Arabella as an adventure, endurance and wellness destination, Randy has created adventure retreats, increased staff training, built a team atmosphere, and seen exponential growth in every element at The Arabella. His passion for the community, tourism, and the serenity of the Red Rocks environment is important in leading Sedona toward more sustainable business practices – a key objective of the Sustainable Tourism Plan.
I know I speak for Board Chairman Lonnie Lillie and the rest of the Board of Directors when I say we are fortunate that such a talented group has agreed to join us, and we look forward to their contributions to Sedona’s exciting – and sustainable – future.
–Jennifer Wesselhoff, President/CEO