TIM Alumni Board

Lee-Ann Choy, BBA ’83
Manager, Pacific Rim Concepts
President

In her leadership role as vice president of the board, Lee-Ann Choy serves as a catalyst and connector between the TIM School students, faculty, alumni and the visitor industry. She looks for opportunities to cross-promote, utilize talents, connect generations and foster relationships.

She also lectures at the TIM School, teaching Event Management & Marketing. Her class has been responsible for designing and coordinating the Na Kukui Netlinks networking event. Having been a member of the TIMI board for more than 20 years, Choy coordinated the first Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism gala, which honored Dean Chuck Gee upon his retirement, and the building of the Gee Technology Center. 

Choy says she feels blessed to have attended the TIM School at a time when Hawai‘i was growing to the destination it is today.

"My most memorable experiences include the diverse student population, inspirational faculty, abundant job opportunities, traveling to the National Restaurant Association Show and the bonds created at TIM Night galas," she said.
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Glenn Vergara, BBA ’84
Vice President and General Manager, Waikiki Resort Hotel
Vice President  

In his leadership role as vice president of the board, Glenn Vergara serves as a catalyst and connector between the TIM School students, faculty, alumni and the visitor industry. He looks for opportunities to cross-promote, utilize talents, connect generations and foster relationships.

Vergara is the vice president and general manager of Waikiki Resort Hotel and he has spent the past 30 years in the hospitality management industry. He has worked at numerous hotels throughout the state over his career and he is active in community and hospitality industry affairs.

Vergara’s commitment to the future generation of leaders is demonstrated by years of strong support of the TIM School’s internship and scholarship programs. He also serves as a mentor with Generational Mentoring, a program sponsored by HLTA. This program includes a dozen senior executives in the hospitality industry who volunteer their time by providing mentorship to college students majoring in TIM who aspire to be future leaders in the hospitality industry.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Nicole Okuna, MS ’08
Resident Manager, Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa
Secretary

As secretary for the TIMI board, Nicole Okuna conducts official correspondence, keeps records, issues meeting notices to members and performs other duties as assigned by the board of directors or the president.

During Okuna’s time at the TIM School, she started an internship with Kyo-ya Hotels and Resorts in Waikiki and has now been in the hotel industry for 13 years. She enjoys connecting with students during events such as Na Kukui where she can be a resource for students looking to pursue a career in Hawai‘i’s hospitality industry.

Looking back at her time at the TIM School, Okuna appreciates the relationships she built with fellow students. She is looking forward to serving on the board as this year’s secretary.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Lois Sismar, BBA ’72
Retired
Treasurer 

In her role as treasurer, Lois Sismar works to keep financial statements and maintain licenses and permits with various government agencies. She participates in all the TIMI meetings and provides regular updates and reports on the financial matters of the TIMI.

"It is a privilege to be on the board so that I can be connected with the school and the travel industry," she said. 

Sismar's fondest memories as a student in the TIM School include the "Roaring Twenties" TIM Night and attending the National Restaurant Show in Chicago, which was chaperoned by the late Dean Chuck Gee.