Meet Our Team
Katie Beck
Chief Executive Officer
Katie Beck and the AHA team are the voices of the hospitality industry, representing restaurants, lodging, travel and tourism businesses throughout Arkansas. Previously the Arkansas native served six years in the administration of Gov. Asa Hutchinson in a variety of roles that have prepared her well as the face of the industry before the Arkansas General Assembly, the state’s Congressional delegation, government agencies and other stakeholders. Prior to joining the association, Beck worked as Communications Director for Gov. Hutchinson and represented his office in Washington D.C.
Beck is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in journalism and history. She received her J.D. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law.
Lauren Anderson
Director of Membership
With a wealth of development, project management and event planning and management experience in her tool-kit, Lauren's focus is on membership recruitment and retention. As a small business owner who values building lasting client relationships, she is a great fit for the AHA team in service to our membership. Lauren is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with degrees in Journalism and Public Relations and is the owner of Lauren Anderson Art & Design. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two daughters, dinner out at their favorite restaurants, painting and tennis!
Dylan Kinkade
Director of Marketing & Communications
Bringing a wealth of experience in the service industry, Dylan has dedicated a substantial portion of their career to this dynamic field. Over the past five years, Dylan has steadily climbed the corporate ladder within a leading distribution company, transitioning from an analyst to assuming the role of department head. During this time, Dylan has become adept at serving as the bridge between the sales team and the rest of the organization, ensuring a strong and clear voice for the team's needs and objectives. Beyond his corporate experience, Dylan has ventured into the world of politics, contributing to a successful campaign both in fundraising and strategy. His overarching objective is to harness these diverse experiences and apply them to empower the organization. In his free time, Dylan loves to spend time with his Fiancé and stepdaughter, traveling and cooking.
Shay Stout
Director of Finance and Human Resources
Shay brings with him over a decade of experience in the service industry. With a proven track record of success, Shay has spent the last four years managing a private club, where he honed his skills in building strong relationships, engaging a base of members, and implementing profit engineering practices. His ability to analyze complex financial data, develop strategic plans, and implement best practices has resulted in significant cost savings and increased profitability for the organizations they have served. With this extensive experience and dedication to excellence, Shay is poised to be a valuable asset to the Arkansas Hospitality Association, helping to drive growth and success for the organization and its members. When not at work, Shay spends his time making movies with friends, traveling with his fiancée and their two dogs, and exploring the great outdoors in our beautiful state.
Renee Smith
Coordinator of Education
Renee Smith is an experienced hospitality arts expert with a rich background in culinary arts programs and education. With a passion for teaching and ensuring food safety, Renee is an instrumental asset to our AHA team. She will be leading our education efforts including our ServSafe classes and ProStart programs, among other initiatives. Her illustrious career includes the role of Associate Dean at the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College, Assistant Director and Director of (UAPTC) Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute, and many more titles where she has made significant contributions to the culinary education landscape and tourism communities in Arkansas.
Chief Executive Officer
Katie Beck and the AHA team are the voices of the hospitality industry, representing restaurants, lodging, travel and tourism businesses throughout Arkansas. Previously the Arkansas native served six years in the administration of Gov. Asa Hutchinson in a variety of roles that have prepared her well as the face of the industry before the Arkansas General Assembly, the state’s Congressional delegation, government agencies and other stakeholders. Prior to joining the association, Beck worked as Communications Director for Gov. Hutchinson and represented his office in Washington D.C.
Beck is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in journalism and history. She received her J.D. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law.
Lauren Anderson
Director of Membership
With a wealth of development, project management and event planning and management experience in her tool-kit, Lauren's focus is on membership recruitment and retention. As a small business owner who values building lasting client relationships, she is a great fit for the AHA team in service to our membership. Lauren is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with degrees in Journalism and Public Relations and is the owner of Lauren Anderson Art & Design. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband and two daughters, dinner out at their favorite restaurants, painting and tennis!
Dylan Kinkade
Director of Marketing & Communications
Bringing a wealth of experience in the service industry, Dylan has dedicated a substantial portion of their career to this dynamic field. Over the past five years, Dylan has steadily climbed the corporate ladder within a leading distribution company, transitioning from an analyst to assuming the role of department head. During this time, Dylan has become adept at serving as the bridge between the sales team and the rest of the organization, ensuring a strong and clear voice for the team's needs and objectives. Beyond his corporate experience, Dylan has ventured into the world of politics, contributing to a successful campaign both in fundraising and strategy. His overarching objective is to harness these diverse experiences and apply them to empower the organization. In his free time, Dylan loves to spend time with his Fiancé and stepdaughter, traveling and cooking.
Shay Stout
Director of Finance and Human Resources
Shay brings with him over a decade of experience in the service industry. With a proven track record of success, Shay has spent the last four years managing a private club, where he honed his skills in building strong relationships, engaging a base of members, and implementing profit engineering practices. His ability to analyze complex financial data, develop strategic plans, and implement best practices has resulted in significant cost savings and increased profitability for the organizations they have served. With this extensive experience and dedication to excellence, Shay is poised to be a valuable asset to the Arkansas Hospitality Association, helping to drive growth and success for the organization and its members. When not at work, Shay spends his time making movies with friends, traveling with his fiancée and their two dogs, and exploring the great outdoors in our beautiful state.
Renee Smith
Coordinator of Education
Renee Smith is an experienced hospitality arts expert with a rich background in culinary arts programs and education. With a passion for teaching and ensuring food safety, Renee is an instrumental asset to our AHA team. She will be leading our education efforts including our ServSafe classes and ProStart programs, among other initiatives. Her illustrious career includes the role of Associate Dean at the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College, Assistant Director and Director of (UAPTC) Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute, and many more titles where she has made significant contributions to the culinary education landscape and tourism communities in Arkansas.