Meet Our Team
l to r: Ronda Warneke, Laura Kirk, Jill Thiel, Montine McNulty, Susie Cowan
With over 65 years of combined experience, your Arkansas Hospitality Industry team works to promote the second largest industry in the state of Arkansas by providing education, advocacy and promote the reputation for it's members and the entire state of Arkansas.
Montine McNulty
CEO
Montine McNulty has served as CEO of the Arkansas Hospitality Association, the voice of the state’s restaurant, lodging and tourism industry, since 1996. Montine is known as a strong advocate for the industry in Arkansas and nationwide, she served on the board of directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and president of both the International Society of Hotel Associations and the Council of State Restaurant Association Executives.
An Arkansas native who now lives in Little Rock with her husband Jack, Montine has served on the Arkansas Parks, Heritage & Tourism Commission for more than three decades and has been named as one of the top 150 most influential businesspeople in the state by Arkansas Business Publishing. Montine was also inducted into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame and was presented the Lawson Odie Award by the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
Jill Thiel, IOM
Director of Membership Services & Special Events
Jill has been in the hospitality and tourism industry for 22 years. While at the AR Hospitality Association, wearing the Director of Membership Services hat, I've had the pleasure of educating members about the resources available to them. Representing 3 segments of the Hospitality Industry - many members, lots of questions.
"As a former member, I really enjoy the opportunity to help folks I've known for years." ~ Jill
Jill loves to to trout fish and spent many years running a resort on the White River. This was a fast paced, seasonal, service oriented, restaurant, lodging, tourism - she learned a lot. Hospitality is a booming industry in Arkansas.
Ronda Warneke
Director of Finance
Susie Cowan
Director of Membership Development and Communications
Susie has been in the hospitality and tourism industry for seven years. At the AHA, she specializes in keeping our members connected and up to date with all the latest information and trends in the hospitality industry. Susie oversees the coordination of the Hot Springs Chapter and works with the team to plan many of the major events during the year.
Susie has a deep love for the community and small businesses in the Central Arkansas area. She often is a special speaker at community events to promote and build the small business community and is the administrator for the Facebook group, Local First Arkansas.
Montine McNulty
CEO
Montine McNulty has served as CEO of the Arkansas Hospitality Association, the voice of the state’s restaurant, lodging and tourism industry, since 1996. Montine is known as a strong advocate for the industry in Arkansas and nationwide, she served on the board of directors of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and president of both the International Society of Hotel Associations and the Council of State Restaurant Association Executives.
An Arkansas native who now lives in Little Rock with her husband Jack, Montine has served on the Arkansas Parks, Heritage & Tourism Commission for more than three decades and has been named as one of the top 150 most influential businesspeople in the state by Arkansas Business Publishing. Montine was also inducted into the Arkansas Tourism Hall of Fame and was presented the Lawson Odie Award by the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
Jill Thiel, IOM
Director of Membership Services & Special Events
Jill has been in the hospitality and tourism industry for 22 years. While at the AR Hospitality Association, wearing the Director of Membership Services hat, I've had the pleasure of educating members about the resources available to them. Representing 3 segments of the Hospitality Industry - many members, lots of questions.
"As a former member, I really enjoy the opportunity to help folks I've known for years." ~ Jill
Jill loves to to trout fish and spent many years running a resort on the White River. This was a fast paced, seasonal, service oriented, restaurant, lodging, tourism - she learned a lot. Hospitality is a booming industry in Arkansas.
Ronda Warneke
Director of Finance
Susie Cowan
Director of Membership Development and Communications
Susie has been in the hospitality and tourism industry for seven years. At the AHA, she specializes in keeping our members connected and up to date with all the latest information and trends in the hospitality industry. Susie oversees the coordination of the Hot Springs Chapter and works with the team to plan many of the major events during the year.
Susie has a deep love for the community and small businesses in the Central Arkansas area. She often is a special speaker at community events to promote and build the small business community and is the administrator for the Facebook group, Local First Arkansas.