Spa News: Jaime Huffman Leading Universal Companies’ Spa Development Efforts

Universal Companies recently announced that Jaime Huffman, MPH, joined its team on July 30, 2014, as Senior Vice President of Spa Development. In her new position with Universal Companies, Jaime leads the Product Development, Education, and Equipment teams. Brenda Elliott, Universal Companies CEO said, “We are very glad to welcome Jaime to the team. She has an impressive resume, with more than 25 years of leadership experience in spa, hospitality, education, and health care. Her experience and understanding of the complexities involved in delivering an exceptional spa experience makes her a perfect fit for this Spa Development position.”

A widely respected spa and hospitality industry leader, Jaime was most recently with The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, where she was Executive Spa Director, Member of Senior Operations. There, she helped The Grove Park Inn Spa become one of the most highly ranked spas in North America.

Prior to her 14-year tenure at The Spa at The Grove Park Inn, Jaime provided operational and educational services in two hospital-based wellness centers, a medical/psychological group practice, and in her own consulting business. She holds a master’s degree, a license in therapeutic massage and bodywork, and she is a certified corporate speaker.

“I am excited to be part of Universal Companies,” said Jaime. “We provide a full range of solutions that allow customers to create their perfect spa — whether they are looking for equipment, doing a major renovation, or building a new spa — and I’m looking forward to sharing that with the industry. We also help spa customers find solutions for training and education, and of course, product development has always been at the heart of Universal Companies’ mission statement, delivering innovative solutions to maximize our customers’ success. I am very pleased to be a part of this mission.”

Jaime has worked with a host of prestigious clients, including Mandarin Oriental in New York, Hawks Cay in Florida, and Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa in Vermont. She is a sought-after advisor, teacher, writer, and speaker in the hospitality industry and has been a catalyst for positive change in the spa industry. Jaime has served as President of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB), on the Executive Committee of the International Spa Association (ISPA), as Chair of the North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, as an instructor for the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute and as advisor for several colleges. She currently serves on the advisory board and as a professor for UC Irvine’s Spa and Hospitality Management program. Jaime has contributed to numerous industry textbooks that are used in spa management courses internationally.