James Leewright has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association since June 2022. He leads statewide advocacy, organizational strategy, and member engagement across Oklahoma’s travel and tourism sectors. A former member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Oklahoma State Senate, James brings deep experience in public policy and industry leadership. His work also includes serving as President & CEO of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association and CEO of the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association, and the Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation. James holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma City University.
JILLIAN COURSEY President
Jillian brings more than twelve years of association management experience to her role as President of the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association. She serves as the primary point of contact for tourism-related initiatives and oversees the planning and execution of OTIA programs and events. Her responsibilities include guiding the association’s fiscal management, supporting budgeting processes, and ensuring that financial practices align with organizational goals. Jillian also works closely with industry partners, members, and event stakeholders to strengthen OTIA’s statewide impact. Her combined experience in accounting, project coordination, and program leadership contributes to a strong operational foundation for OTIA and enhances the association’s ability to support Oklahoma’s travel and tourism community.
DEBRA BAILEY, CAE Chief Human Resources Officer
Debra is a longtime leader within the OTIA and provides guidance on personnel development, human resources, and organizational operations. She holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation and is a graduate of the Institute for Organizational Management. Debra also serves in senior leadership roles for the ORA and OHLA.
PATTI COLLEY IOM, CMP Chief Strategy Officer
Patti has helped shape OTIA’s mission, brand presence, and member engagement since 1995. She leads strategic planning, meetings and events, communications, and supplier relations. Patti also serves as President of the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association and Chief Strategy Officer of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association. Her credentials include Certified Meeting Professional and the Institute for Organizational Management graduate.
COLLIN GRAHAM Chief Member Services & Regulatory Officer
Collin supports tourism industry members through regulatory guidance, member engagement, resource development, and preferred supplier programming. He is a Certified ServSafe Instructor/Proctor and teaches ACE Alcohol Compliance Education classes. Collin holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Oklahoma State University.
Kathy leads tourism workforce initiatives, supports Oklahoma ProStart and hospitality education partnerships, and curates member learning programs. Her work bridges industry needs with educational development and statewide talent pipeline growth.
ELIZABETH "BETY" SANCHEZ Director, Training & Accounting
Elizabeth manages accounting functions, training administration, and office operations for OTIA. She coordinates ServSafe and ACE programming and is a Certified ServSafe Instructor/Proctor.
ROSANNA GARCIA Comptroller
Rosanna oversees OTIA financial operations, event budgeting, job costing, and reporting. She specializes in reconciliation, grant coordination, and improving fiscal processes to support transparency and efficiency.
ANDREA DANCER Director, Events
Andrea supports the planning and execution of tourism events, including the Oklahoma Conference on Tourism and ORA Hospitality EXPO. She ensures high-quality experiences for partners, members, and stakeholders.
SARAI MALDONADO Manager, Member Care & ServSafe
Since joining our team in 2019, Sarai plays a pivotal role as your initial point of contact, whether you're reaching out by phone or updating your membership information. She takes the helm in member fulfillment, managing member records, data, and dues. Sarai's expertise extends to overseeing ServSafe Food Safety enrollment and class proctoring. As a Certified ServSafe Proctor, she ensures the highest standards of food safety education.
KEELY SIEN Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications
Keely joined our team in December 2024 as Sr. Marketing & Communications Manager after earning her Marketing degree from the University of Oklahoma. In her senior role, she plays a pivotal part in leading and advancing our strategic marketing and communications initiatives. Keely leads our communications, graphic design and marketing efforts. She also contributes significantly to our meetings and events by overseeing event registration and fostering active member engagement.
Dawn contributes to brand development, multimedia content, digital messaging, website updates, and event support for OTIA. Her work strengthens member engagement and enhances communication consistency across the association.
JULIA JERNIGAN SMITH Contract Lobbyist
Julia supports OTIA’s legislative advocacy by communicating tourism priorities to policymakers. Her expertise in public relations, communications, and policy implementation helps advance Oklahoma’s travel and tourism industry. Visit Creative Capitol Strategies to learn more.