Salon/Spa Council

NeCole Cumberlander has been in the hair care industry for many years and her accomplishments are as diverse as they are cutting edge. NeCole is a national educator for John Paul Mitchell Systems and the current President of the Professional Beauty Association's Salon/Spa Section. She has trained other hairstylists around the country in advanced education and salon management for many years. Her passion for education has inspired NeCole to become co-owner of The Ohio Academy Paul Mitchell Partner School.

Serena Chreky is vice president and co-owner of Andre Chreky, the Salon Spa which is located two blocks from the White House in Washington, DC. She is responsible for the company's marketing, advertising and public relations, as well as managing its 60 employees.

In 1997, Serena founded and created "Salon-A-Thon", an annual 24-hour charity event and gala to benefit the Children's Hospital in Washington, DC. To date, Salon-A-Thon has contributed over $600,000 to the Children's Hospital and was honored with its most distinguished award, the Chairman's Special Award.

Serena earned her MBA in business administration and finance from Virginia Polytechnic and State University. She also received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Maryland, College Park, along with honors from Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Gamma Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi.

Serena married Andre in 1987 and they are the parents of two teenage daughters, Isabel and Lillian.

John's professional background is in architecture and photography. John loves to travel, read, paint, woodwork, garden and entertain at home with serious cooking. John has a passion for creating events and environments that people enjoy and believes that this is a passion that he takes to the table for both his professional and personal life.

John's communication, organizational and people skills have contributed to the development of his and his wife Xena's salon. The salon team at Xena's Beauty Company is about to begin an annual trip through Italy, which will include photo shoots. John is committed to progressive change within the industry and is thankful that his involvement in the industry has afforded him the opportunity to work with, learn from and create cherished friendships with so many brilliant, interesting and passionate entrepreneurs.

Stylist, salon owner and educator are just a few of the words that can be used to describe Cary. Helping in the development of young salon professionals is one of his favorite things to do. Cary believes that you need to have a passion for what you do or what it provides for you. He feels he is lucky to have both!

Scott Buchanan began his career in the beauty industry as an apprentice in a Long Island salon. Today, he owns three salons: a 2,800 square foot salon and spa on New York's fashionable Columbus Avenue, an active, full service high-end Aveda concept salon near Columbia University, and a 2500 square foot Aveda lifestyle salon and spa, an Upper East Side retreat amidst the east 86th street glam and bustle. Scott makes it a priority to give back to the industry that he holds dear, regularly leading Aveda Business College seminars, Front Desk Systems and Measuring Business Profitability. In addition, his artistic team travels around the US, teaching innovative trends for the salon environment and has done multiple makeover shows, including The Opera Winfrey Show, among others. They are also the leaders of many New York fashion week shows, and within the Aveda Network.

Jessica dedicates her talents and energy on building and growing the American Male Salon brand. A pioneer in the men's salon industry, Jessica has grown the American Male chain to 15 salons nationwide. Her efforts have recently been focused on developing a franchise system for American Male. She consistently develops new business concepts and continuously supports American Male salons, helping them to build a more better and more profitable business overall. Jessica enjoys sharing her passion about the male segment of the industry with salon owners and helping American Male owners achieve their goals and looks forward to opening more American Male salons. Jessica received her industry education at an early age working in her family owned distribution company Raylon Corporation and worked for 6 years at The Salon Association (TSA) prior to joining American Male in 2001.

Marilyn opened her salon in 1980, with a staff of six. Now, with her sons sharing ownership, her business has grown to two full service salons and spas in Tulsa, a salon in Kansas City and a total staff of 150! The salons are all Aveda Lifestyle locations.

The salons have been voted "Best of Tulsa" yearly and have been on the Salon Today 200 Fastest Growing Salons in America four times. Marilyn and her team are active in the community, with the team raising $50,000 in 2006 for community projects. Marilyn was voted 2007 Tulsa Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Administration. Marilyn invites you to visit her on her website at www.ihloffspa.com.

Kendall has been a hairstylist for 29 years. He worked with Vidal Sassoon Salons and Academies for 20 years, 17 as a manager. He managed their San Francisco salon and Education Center as well as opening and managing their Scottsdale and Washington, DC salons. Kendall's love of creating beautiful hair and passion for educating has taken him around the world, from Hong Kong to Chicago and New York to Singapore. He has taught at Vidal Sassoon's London Academy, Davies Mews School and their Santa Monica Academy.

A media spokesperson for the past 25 years he has been in Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Allure, Cosmopolitan and Entertainment Tonight to name a few and is regularly featured on Good Day Arizona and Arizona Midday.

Currently he is one of the owners of Mane Attraction Salon, where he oversees their internal training program. Mane Attraction was recently named as one of the Top 200 Salons in the country for the second year in a row by Salon Today as well as one of the 30 Hottest Salons in the U. S. by Color and Style.

Jan was honored to receive the 2004 Spirit of TSA award, was co-chair of the TSA Chicago Learning Lounge and has participated and volunteered for the annual Welcome to Our World event in Washington, D.C. Jan has organized local salon owner networking breakfasts in Milwaukee and is currently serving as a committee member for Symposium.

Her salon, Carenza, was recognized by Salon Today magazine in 2006 as one of the top 5 for Salon for the year and has been listed as a Salon Today Top 200 Salon.