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Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership

News & Events

February 2013

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Ron Jordan
Thank You for 20 Wonderful Years!
Lecturer Ron Jordan has retired after teaching at Hilton College for 20 years. Jordan has worn many hats in his accomplished career, from working with Marriott; to developing and operating a full-service hotel at Houston's Intercontinental Airport; to opening Intercontinental Machine, a manufacturing business that serves the oil and gas industry. Thankfully for Hilton College students, Jordan also found the time to teach. He was hired as an adjunct faculty member in 1992 and became a full-time lecturer in 1995, after he sold his hotel at the airport. Jordan says the best part about teaching at the College was making an impact on his students' lives. He loved meeting young people interested in joining the hospitality industry and sharing his past experiences with them. And they loved it, too—students consistently rated him as one of the top professors at the College. Though his time as a faculty member is through, Jordan said he looks forward to keeping in contact with the College and helping students in any way he can. Meanwhile, he'll continue to work with Intercontinental Machine and a new fishing-charter business he recently opened with his family. Thanks for 20 wonderful years, Ron—you will be missed! (Photo from Gourmet Night 2011: Steve Lee Photography)
 
New Faculty Research Grants
Rewarding Research
Congrats are in order for two of the newest members of the Hilton College faculty. Assistant Professors Dr. Yoon Koh and Dr. Priyanko Guchait recently received New Faculty Research Grants from the University of Houston! Each year, new faculty across UH apply for these highly sought-after grants by giving a synopsis of their research and submitting a budget proposal to finance that research. The University then reviews the applications and awards grants to a select few professors. Only faculty members who have received their PhDs within the last three years can apply. Koh's project is called "Seeking an Optimal Speed in International Expansion: U.S. Restaurant Industry Perspective." Guchait will be focusing on "error management culture" with his project, "Error Management in Hotel Teams: Impact on Employee and Firm Performance." Kudos and best of luck to these rising stars in their research endeavors! (Photo: Taylor Wiley)
 
ALIS Summit
Hobnobbing at the Summit
If you want to groom the hospitality leaders of tomorrow, there's no better way than to let them rub elbows with the leaders of today. And that's exactly what a select group of students did in January at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in Los Angeles. The annual summit, which was held at the JW Marriot & Nokia Theatre L.A. Live, gives professionals from all areas of the lodging industry—from investors, to owners, to developers, to hotel chain executives, to tourism officials—a chance to network, discuss trends and identify opportunities for the year ahead. Pictured left to right at the summit, which they attended with Dean John Bowen (not pictured), are current Hilton College students Niraj Bhavsar, Wendy Zhu, Jacob Ortiz, Morgan Bellows and Natalie Woo. In addition to volunteering, the students also got the chance to attend seminars and network with some of the 2,400 industry leaders in attendance. A great opportunity for a great group of Coogs! (Photo: Jacob Ortiz)
 
CMAA Expo

World-Class Networking at Club Business Expo
Seven students and faculty advisor to the UH Student Chapter of the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) Alexis Hoey ventured to the Golden State this month to network with club managers from across the globe at the 86th World Conference and Club Business Expo. The conference, which was held at the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina, was attended by thousands of club managers and about 300 students. Pictured left to right with then-CMAA President Skip Avery, CCM, CCE (third from left) are students Adrian Vivas, Cindy Blanco, Calli Oreschnigg, Chris Muratore and Cesar Hinojosa (not pictured: Brandon Wall and Tony Bonardi). All of the Hilton College representatives got full-time job or internship interviews during the conference's career and mentoring showcase and participated in multiple student-education and management seminars. They also took advantage of some world-class networking opportunities at mixers with the Texas Lone Star Chapter of CMAA, UH alumni and a conference-wide gathering on the USS Midway. Adrian Vivas, recipient of the national Joe Perdue Scholarship, played a special role at the conference. Selected by the CMAA Club Foundation as their sole intern, Adrian served as a personal assistant to organizers during all of the conference events. Way to go, Adrian! (Photo: Calli Oreschnigg)
 
Gourmet Night

Follow the Yellow Brick Road … to Gourmet Night!
They say there's no place like home. And when "home" is Hilton College, it's safe to say there's no event like Gourmet Night! This year, for the 40th anniversary of the College's signature student-run soiree, the Gourmet Night team is inviting you to "click your heels together three times" and come home for a Wizard-of-Oz-themed evening you'll never forget! The invitations have already gone out, but if you missed yours, you can click here for a digital version. If you're planning to attend but haven't reserved your seat, act fast! Tickets are in short supply! Planning and managing every detail of this Oz-some milestone anniversary event is the 2013 Gourmet Night team. Pictured left to right are Mehak Adamjee, events manager; Patricia Srubar, beverage service manager; Cali Smith, marketing manager; Matthew Euresti, events manager; Daniel Capetillo, banquet chef; Sarah Robinson, general manager; Jason Kaminski, sous chef; Eryn DeMora, silent auction manager; Jacob Ortiz, food service manager; Eugenia Gonzalez, human resources manager; Sara Morrill, banquet manager; Niraj Bhavsar, silent auction manager; and Annie Mauldin, sous chef. Erin Oeser (not pictured) is the event's executive director. We hope to see you on April 6! (Photo: Michael Scott)