NEWH - Summer 2021 - 10

NEWS
Jena Seibel, COO
How long have you been with NEWH and what led you to the role?
I have been with NEWH for over 15 years. I started when I had a young family and wanted to be closer to
my home versus the commute I was doing daily. At that time NEWH was growing by leaps and bounds and
we all jumped in and started learning and helping wherever needed as quickly as possible..
How have you seen NEWH evolve since then?
NEWH has grown so much, with the initiatives established, the multiple partnership programs, the board
structure and training, the addition of many regional groups, as well as the increase in international
presence is amazing. With the increased focus of leadership development and training, it has become
such a well-oiled machine. This is in thanks to the dedicated volunteer and leadership team as well as the
experienced staff.
How has the transition to your new role been?
Rolling into the COO role was a natural transition as we work as a team within NEWH daily anyway. We
have such a dedicated staff and volunteer base that makes developing initiatives or improving procedures
a true team effort and much less daunting task.
Tell us some things about yourself that people may not know?
Juggling travel was difficult when my kids were young; thankfully with amazing support from my husband
and neighbors-it does take a village-we made it through that time. My daughter, a high school senior,
has accompanied me on few trips and definitely has the travel bug. It is now my high school sophomore
son's turn to join me on a trip or two. After that I look forward to being able to introduce my husband to the
industry and wonderful people I've met through the years. It's truly hard to explain to someone what I do.
I do not have a hospitality background and I find it fascinating. I am still learning all the time about the
industry. I love that NEWH is truly about the people-not the money-and I think that is what continues to
make NEWH great.

Susan Huntington, CFO
How long have you been with NEWH and what led you to the role?
I've been with NEWH for four years-time sure flies when you are having fun! I have over 20 years'
experience in accounting. I began as an accounts payable clerk on a makeshift desk in the back office
of a growing manufacturing company, hung with them for 13 years before moving onto an international
agricultural cooperative headquartered in Shawano, then on to NEWH.
Why do you think NEWH is more important than ever right now?
The hospitality industry was one of the hardest hit industries during 2020. NEWH has been here to help
keep those in the industry connected, motivated, and encouraged during these strange times. I have no
doubt we will all come out stronger in the end.
What does your role entail?
I oversee all financial aspects of NEWH, Inc. and its chapters, file and maintain state compliance, payroll for
the staff, annual budget prep, HR, and-new starting in 2020-I proudly wear the Zoom hat.
Favorite part of your job?
The people I meet along the way, the connections all around the world, the amazing team I get to work
with in the office each day, and the warm fuzzy feelings when we get to hear about how a scholarship
changed someone's life-that isn't something you get to see in every accounting job! And, of course, the
tail-wagging excitement I am greeted with every morning that I go to the office (everyone should have
work dogs).
Tell us some things about yourself that people may not know?
I was born and raised in Shawano, Wisconsin. I have been married to Jeff for 22 years, and we have two
daughters, ages 18 and 16 (new driver alert!), and one son, aged 12. My oldest is going off to college in the
fall at University of Wisconsin La Crosse-I'm not sure where the time has gone. We have two German
Shepherds, Winston and Lucy, and one fluffy cat. I love to be outdoors and I love to dabble in photography.
Maybe I will be a photographer in my next life!
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NEWH - Summer 2021

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