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2026 Executive Board of Directors
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2026 Executive Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
Carolyn E. Howell
Carolyn E. Howell is a nationally recognized event strategist, business leader, and tourism industry advocate with nearly three decades of experience producing high-impact corporate and nonprofit events across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. As President & CEO of EVENTS USA, a minority woman–owned small business, she has led the design, production, and management of more than 2,600 events, ranging from galas, conferences, and symposiums to grand openings, corporate retreats, and large-scale celebrations. Her work is known for transforming traditional events into strategic experiences that elevate visibility, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and drive organizational success.
Carolyn’s career spans corporate event production, media, tourism, hospitality, and investment advisory leadership. She brings a rare blend of nonprofit and corporate expertise, allowing her to bridge mission-driven impact with business performance — a hallmark of her firm’s approach. Under her leadership, EVENTS USA has become a trusted partner to leading organizations.
A respected board leader with more than 21 years of boardroom experience, Carolyn currently serves on the Boards of the National Aquarium (Baltimore) and the DC Chamber of Commerce and previously served on the O Museum & O Mansion Board, and Associates Board of Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. She is the President of Skål International Washington, DC, and a longtime member of the Women Presidents Organization (WPO). Her past leadership includes service as Chair of the Board of Visit Loudoun, along with board roles supporting arts, tourism, and regional economic development.
Her leadership and community impact have earned numerous honors, including PNC Bank & Washington Nationals Going to Bat for Small Business Honoree, Women of Impact Honoree, Women in Business Champion of the Year (DC Chamber of Commerce), Washington Business Journals - Minority Business Leader Honoree, and recognition among the Top 100 Minority Business Enterprises in the region. Carolyn is passionate about the power of hospitality and events to build connections, strengthen communities, and create meaningful experiences that leave a lasting legacy.
Carolyn E. Howell
President & CEO
EVENTS USA
PH: 202-810-5425
EMAIL: President@skaldc.org
SECRETARY
Jim Harenchar
Jim Harenchar is the President & CEO of Response Marketing Group, a consumer-data focused marketing agency in Richmond, Va. As such, he is responsible for relationship development and account strategy at the independent agency, which offers proprietary Ad technology, marketing strategy/planning, data segmentation and campaign reporting. The agency serves a number of clients in the travel, tourism and hospitality sectors, as well as retail, healthcare and financial services.
RMG was founded in 1986 and their approach is consistent with the success gleaned from 38+ years of experience – data insights married to relevant messaging to the target audience. They are channel neutral and work with select clients to define the KPIs that will drive increased visitor engagement, increased occupancy, return on ad spending, and board advocacy. They have developed proprietary Ad Tech solutions, SmartPIXL and Bullseye, that have introduced game-changing outcomes for DMOs across the US.
Jim is considered a thought-leader and tourism futurist, speaking frequently at Tourism Conferences across the U.S. such as the Southeast Tourism Society, Forrester Marketing Conference, Ad Federation, American Indigenous Tourism Association and Gartner.
Jim Harenchar
President & CEO,
Response Marketing Group
EMAIL: Secretary@skaldc.org
TREASURER
Tracy Hamlin
Tracy Hamlin is an international recording artist, producer, author, and cultural ambassador whose career uniquely bridges entertainment, hospitality, and tourism. With a classically trained voice and commanding presence, she blends the sophistication of jazz, the soul of R&B, and the elegance of timeless music to connect audiences and cultures worldwide. Tracy has performed in 58 countries, producing and participating in live events across the globe, including 12 years of entertainment production in St. Lucia, where she worked closely with the St. Lucia Tourist Board and delivered events that served as measurable economic drivers for the destination. This global experience has given her a deep, practical understanding of tourism as a catalyst for economic development, destination branding, and cultural exchange—positioning live music as a powerful tool for place-making and global engagement.
Tracy’s leadership credentials within the global music industry are equally distinguished. A former Board Member and Vice President of the Washington DC GRAMMY Chapter, her chapter leadership led to her election as a National Trustee of The Recording Academy. As Membership Chair and Vice President, she oversaw every chapter committee—Hip Hop, Rock, Children’s, Latin, Producer & Engineer, Advocacy, Business, Education, and Membership—demonstrating exceptional cross-genre and cross-disciplinary leadership. Nationally, she served on high-impact committees including Audit & Finance, Membership, Awards & Nominations, Planning & Governance, and the Music Educator of the Year Award Blue Ribbon Committee, and was further entrusted to serve on the CEO Search Committee responsible for selecting the current CEO of The Recording Academy—underscoring the confidence placed in her strategic judgment, governance experience, and financial acumen.
A Certified Tourism Ambassador, Tracy has been a key leader within Loudoun County’s tourism ecosystem, serving on the Visit Loudoun Board of Directors in every executive officer role, including Board Chair. In these roles, she helped advance strategic partnerships, elevate the county’s tourism profile, and strengthen collaboration across the arts, hospitality, and business communities. Her leadership extends internationally through her service as Vice President of the Ghana Impact Project, supporting initiatives focused on economic empowerment, cross-cultural collaboration, and sustainable community development. Locally, Tracy serves on the Loudoun Cares Board of Directors, where she is Chair of the Fund Development Committee, guiding fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and long-term financial sustainability. She is also a founding member of The Legacy League, reflecting her commitment to responsible leadership and lasting impact.
As Founder and Executive Director of the Sweet Jazz Festival, Tracy has built a destination event that attracts attendees from 12 U.S. states and is now drawing an international audience, reinforcing its growing role in cultural tourism. Through Sweet Jazz, she uses music as a force for good—supporting local charities, breast cancer awareness, scholarships, and music education. A breast cancer survivor and the author of Nothing Can Stop Me Now, Tracy brings faith, resilience, and purpose to every role she serves.
as Treasurer.
Tracy Hamlin
CEO/FOUNDER
Sweet Jazz Festival
EMAIL: Treasurer@skaldc.org
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Ana G. Lopez
Ana G. Lopez is the immediate Past President of Skål International Washington, DC having served two terms for years 2024 and 2025. Ana's love of travel, tourism, and hospitality coupled with her attention to detail and professionalism made her an asset to the club as President and she continues as such beyond her term. As Director of Sales at Days Inn by Wyndham Washington DC, she brings a passion for hospitality and a commitment to creating exceptional guest experiences. With a proven track record in sales strategy and client relations, she thrives on driving revenue growth while fostering lasting partnerships.
Her expertise spans group sales, corporate accounts, and leisure travel markets, where she excels in identifying opportunities, tailoring solutions, and delivering measurable results. By leveraging Wyndham’s trusted brand reputation and at the property’s prime location in the heart of the nation’s capital, Ana ensures that every guest enjoys a stay that combines convenience, comfort, and value.
Beyond the numbers, Ana believes in the power of teamwork and collaboration. Leading a dynamic sales team, she is dedicated to mentoring and motivating others to achieve their fullest potential. Ana is passionate about building relationships that go beyond business, helping clients, colleagues, and partners succeed in their goals.
Ana G. Lopez
Director of Sales
Days Inn by Wyndham
Past Presidents of Skål International Washington, DC
Skål International Washington, DC has a rich history spanning more than 70 years.
Below is the list of the distinguished leaders who have served as President, listed from most recent to earliest.
2024–2025 — Ana G. Lopez
2022–2023 — Randy Herron
2020–2021 — Barry Biggar
2019 — Morgan Maravich
2018 — Andrés Hayes
2016–2017 — James Enright
2015 — Jim Deutsch
2014 — Bill Moyer
2013 — Valerie Armbruster
2012 — Mary Peters
2010–2011 — Eric Hotard
2009 — Bjarne Bertnsen
2008 — Bob Vaughn
2007 — Jose Araujo
2006 — Hanns Eckert
2005 — Carol Betz
2004 — Dick Knorpp
2003 — Alison Rubin
2002 — Sam Kieffer
2001 — John A. Spielman, CTC
2000 — Linda Mallinger
1999 — William Mitchell III
1998 — James Larsen
1997 — Frank Sherman
1996 — Robert D. Collegeman
1995 — Joseph Zarza
1994 — Anthony Graystone
1993 — John Stratton
1992 — Michael S. Lupfer
1991 — Richard C. Anderson
1990 — Mark Johnson
1989 — Robert L. Gratton
1988 — David M. Holden
1987 — Jim Morison
1986 — William B. Cobb
1985 — Phillip Wagner
1984 — Peter M. Larsen
1983 — Melvin F. Clemens, Jr.
1982 — Edward H. Herndon
1981 — Louis G. Sak (Emeritus) / Jan West
1980 — Martin H. Haerberer
1979 — William S. Wright
1978 — Brian G. Kirby
1977 — William S. Wright
1976 — A.L. Jack Freed
1975 — Lawrence J. Frommer
1974 — Aage R. Nylen
1973 — William S. Seitz
1972 — Marvin P. King
1971 — Paul I. Colney
1970 — Jack E. Brown
1969 — Peter J.M. deBruin
1968 — Russell E. Ellis
1967 — John R. Van Slycke
1966 — T.W. Edwards, Jr.
1965 — Stuart S. Wooster
1964 — Anthony J. Spielman
1963 — John E. Wilson
1962 — Gouverneur E. Smith
1961 — Malcolm W. Stevenson
1960 — Kenneth H. Carter
1959 — Eugene F. Richter
1958 — Lloyd G. Roberts
1957 — Henry Burroughs
1955–1956 — Herbert D. Ford