EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

James Leewright, MBA
​Chief Executive Officer

James Leewright has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association since June 2022. He leads the association’s strategic initiatives, organizational development, and statewide advocacy efforts on behalf of Oklahoma’s lodging community. A former member of both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma State Senate, James brings a strong background in public policy and a deep understanding of the hospitality sector. His leadership also extends to serving as President & CEO of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association and CEO of the Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation and Oklahoma Travel Industry Association. James represents the industry on the Oklahoma Foodservice Advisory Council, Oklahoma Tourism Promotion Advisory Committee, and within the OSU Spears School of Business Hospitality Tourism Management Program. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma City University.​

Patti Colley, IOM, CMP
​President

Patti has served the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association since 1995 and provides statewide leadership as President. She oversees strategic direction, member engagement, communications, meetings and events, and supplier relations, ensuring that OHLA programs effectively support Oklahoma’s lodging industry.
Her extensive background includes leading supplier engagement initiatives and strengthening hospitality partnerships across the state. Patti’s work helps advance OHLA’s mission while enhancing member value through high-quality programming and industry alignment.
She is a Certified Meeting Professional and a graduate of the Institute for Organizational Management. Patti also serves as Chief Strategy Officer of the Oklahoma Restaurant Association, is an Executive Council Member of Oklahoma Women in Lodging, Oklahoma Tourism Promotion Advisory Committee, and serves on the board of the Oklahoma Society of Association Executives.

Debra Bailey, CAE
​Chief Human Resources Officer

Debra Bailey has served the OHLA since 1985 and is one of the most experienced members of the Executive Leadership Team. She provides leadership in personnel development, operations, and organizational culture. Debra holds the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential and is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organizational Management. She also serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association and the Oklahoma Restaurant Association.

Collin Graham
Chief Member Services
​& Regulatory Officer

Collin has been a key member of the OHLA leadership team since 2000. He excels in a range of vital responsibilities that not only bolster new member recruitment and retention but also provide essential industry insights. Collin supports hotel and lodging members by offering guidance on operations, regulatory compliance, and navigating licensing challenges with state and local agencies.
As a Certified ServSafe Instructor/Proctor, he contributes to statewide food safety initiatives and supports member training needs. Collin’s stewardship of preferred supplier and discount programs further enhances member value. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Oklahoma State University.

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ASSOCIATION TEAM

MEMBER SERVICES & ACCOUNTING

Jillian Coursey
Manager,
Accounting Projects

Jill brings more than a decade of association accounting experience to the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association. In her role, she supports financial reporting, budgeting, and audit preparation, helping ensure the association’s fiscal accuracy and operational strength.
She assists with tourism-related financial processes, manages revenue and expense tracking, and contributes to projects that streamline accounting workflows. Jill’s attention to detail and experience in nonprofit financial management make her a reliable resource for both the OHLA and OTIA teams, supporting the financial side of programs, events, and daily operations.

​Kathy Holsonbake
Director,
Workforce & Education

​Kathy joined the OHLA in 2025 and leads the association’s workforce development and educational initiatives. She works closely with educators, career-technology partners, and industry leaders to strengthen hospitality career pathways and support programs such as Oklahoma ProStart. She also develops educational experiences and selects speakers who enhance member learning.

Elizabeth "Bety" Sanchez
​ Director,
​Training & Accounting

Elizabeth has supported the association since 2016 and manages accounts payable, receivable, office operations, and training programs, including ACE and ServSafe certifications. She is a Certified ServSafe Instructor/Proctor and plays a key role in supporting member development needs.

Andrea Dancer
Director,
​Events

Andrea joined the OHLA in 2024 and supports vendor relations, exhibit sales, and logistics for the OHLA Expo and the ORA Hospitality Expo. She also assists with planning conferences, board meetings, and special events, helping deliver high-quality member experiences.
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Rosanna Garcia
Comptroller

Rosanna oversees financial and job-costing functions, including P&L reporting, reconciliation, grant coordination, and budget preparation for lodging industry events. She enhances financial accuracy and operational efficiency through process improvements.

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 the OHLA in December 2024 after earning her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of Oklahoma. She oversees OHLA communications, including e-News, text alerts, graphic design, social media, and website content. She also supports event registration and member engagement initiatives.

​​Dawn Norton, PCM
Manager,
​Marketing & Communications

Dawn supports brand development, digital content, e-newsletters, website updates, and visual communications. She manages text alerts, event registration, and member engagement efforts across multiple platforms.

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LOBBYIST

Julia Jernigan Smith
Contract Lobbyist

Julia supports OHLA’s legislative advocacy by communicating lodging industry priorities to policymakers. Her background in public relations and strategic communications helps advance the interests of Oklahoma’s lodging community. Visit Creative Capitol Strategies to learn more.