The Hospitality Management program is pleased to welcome three new members to its
advisory board: John Crow, Chris Angel Gomez, and Amy Waysack. Bringing extensive
industry experience and leadership expertise, they will help guide the program’s continued
growth and strengthen connections between students and the hospitality industry.
Global View: John Crow Brings Investment and Development Insight to Hospitality Education
Hospitality projects often begin with investment, planning and long-term strategy.
John Crow has spent his career working at that level across global markets advising
on hundreds of hotel and resort projects in more than 25 countries. As founder of
Crow Hospitality Investment Group, his work spans development, acquisitions, feasibility
analysis and asset management across international markets. He also serves on the
Hospitality Advisory Board at the Barton School of Business at Wichita State University,
bringing a global investment perspective to the program.
“Understanding the investment and planning side of hospitality provides important context,” said Crow. “It connects operations with long-term success.”
Over a 40-year career, Crow has worked across hotel operations, consulting, development and investment, advising projects throughout North America, Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia.
“John brings a global perspective that expands how students think about hospitality,” said Nikki Beyrle, Hospitality Executive-in-Residence and chief human resources officer at LDF Companies. “He helps connect operations with the bigger strategic picture.”
A Wichita State graduate, Crow brings a perspective shaped by decades of international hospitality development and advisory work, helping students understand how investment decisions influence long-term success.
“A comprehensive hospitality education includes both operational and strategic understanding,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School. “John’s experience helps provide that broader context.”
Chris Angel Gomez Brings Global Guest Experience and Commercial Strategy to Hospitality
Education
In today’s hospitality industry, delivering a seamless guest experience requires more
than service. It demands alignment across sales, operations and customer engagement.
Chris Angel Gomez has spent more than two decades leading that work at a global level.
He serves on the Hospitality Advisory Board at Wichita State, bringing expertise in
commercial strategy, guest experience and large-scale service operations.
As senior vice president of global consumer sales, service and reservations at AmaWaterways,
Gomez leads strategy across both consumer and trade channels, supporting revenue performance
and shaping how guests experience river cruising from first interaction through the
journey itself.
“The guest experience begins long before someone steps on property or boards a ship,”
said Gomez. “Every interaction matters, from the first inquiry to the final touchpoint,
and consistency across that journey is what defines great hospitality.”
Gomez began his career with Darden Restaurants before spending nearly two decades in the cruise industry, where he held leadership roles across sales, service and contact center operations. His experience spans both ocean and river cruising, offering a broad view of how guest expectations and distribution strategies evolve across segments.
“Chris brings a global perspective on how hospitality organizations connect with guests at scale,” said Nikki Beyrle, Hospitality Executive-in-Residence and chief human resources officer at LDF Companies. “He helps students understand how sales, service and experience must work together to deliver consistent results.”
That perspective reinforces the importance of integration across functions in modern hospitality organizations.
“Students benefit from seeing how guest experience is shaped across multiple touchpoints and channels,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School. “Chris’s experience highlights how strategy and execution come together in real-world settings.”
Beyond his corporate leadership, Gomez has been active in community and nonprofit leadership. During his time in Wichita, he served as chairman of the United Way of the Plains, president of the board for Mark Arts and a board member of the Wichita Art Museum. During that period, he helped support more than $37 million in charitable fundraising and community initiatives. He continues to support the Wichita community today through his involvement with the Wichita Cancer Foundation, Exploration Place and Wings for Dreams.
From AI to Guest Experience: Amy Waysack Connects Technology and Hospitality
For many guests, the hospitality experience begins with a search, a booking or a digital
interaction long before arrival. Amy Waysack has built her career shaping those moments.
Now, she is serving on the Hospitality Advisory Board at the Barton School of Business
at Wichita State University, contributing industry insight to help guide the program’s
direction.
As a Senior Manager in Product in the Digital Technology Transformation Department
at Marriott, Waysack works on digital reservation experiences for one of the world’s
largest hospitality platforms. Since the official onboarding process was finalized
for their 10,000th location, Marriott is now the largest hospitality company in the
world by number of rooms and keys. Her experience also includes roles with Wynn Resorts
and IHG Hotels & Resorts, where she led booking and loyalty integrations across global
systems.
“The hospitality industry is evolving quickly, shaped by technology and changing guest
expectations,” said Waysack. “Students need to understand how those expectations are
formed and how quickly they change. The digital aspect of the hospitality industry
is just as important to the operational efficiencies of a property as it is to our
guests.”
Her work has focused on improving conversion, personalization and loyalty engagement
across web, mobile and platform ecosystems.
“Amy brings a real understanding of how large-scale platforms operate,” said Nikki
Beyrle, Hospitality Executive-in-Residence and chief human resources officer at LDF
Companies. “She helps students see how technology shapes the guest experience at every
stage.”
That perspective helps students understand how decisions are made behind the scenes.
“We want students to be prepared for where the industry is going,” said Dr. Larisa
Genin, dean of the Barton School. “Amy’s experience helps connect digital strategy
with real-world application.”
To learn more about the Hospitality Program or explore opportunities to get involved,
visit wichita.edu/hospitality.