ISPA has announced the election of a new chair, vice-chair and secretary-treasurer to its board of directors. The new officers’ terms will begin effective immediately.

The ISPA board of directors has revealed the election of the following new officers:

• Patrick Huey, corporate spa director for Montage International, will serve as chair
• Michelle Adams Somerville, executive VP at Billings Farm and Museum and Woodstock Inn and Resort spa advisor, will assume the role of vice-chair
• Kelleye Martin, Edgewater Spa director of spa and retail, will serve as secretary-treasurer.

“The member-elected board of directors are such an important part of the ISPA family, and we’re so thankful that the volunteer leaders in this group continue to step up and serve with such enthusiasm and commitment,” said ISPA president Lynne McNees.

Former chair Garrett Mersberger will continue to serve the board in an advisory role, while Todd Shaw, national manager of private clubs/country clubs at Technogym, will remain as immediate past chair.

Huey steps into the role of chair having been an ISPA board member since 2016. According to ISPA, he’s deeply familiar with the ways in which the organisation seeks to serve its members.

Throughout the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Huey has enthusiastically lent his voice to a number of events and initiatives – namely the ISPA Town Hall series – designed to support spas and resource partners throughout the industry.

“Stepping aside as chair is definitely bittersweet,” said Mersberger, “but knowing that a leader as passionate and gifted as Patrick is taking on the role gives me all the confidence in the world about what comes next during this critical time for our industry.”

Like Huey, Somerville and Martin bring considerable experience as both ISPA board members and spa industry leaders to their new roles and have, along with their fellow directors, been instrumental to ISPA’s efforts in support of the industry throughout the pandemic.

The composition of the board will otherwise remain the same until a new nominations process in 2021, at which time a call for candidates will be announced to all ISPA members.

In addition, Frank Pitsikalis, founder and chief executive officer at ResortSuite will continue to serve as Chairperson of the ISPA Foundation.