November 2012- A graduate of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management, Nick Massad began his hotel career at an American Liberty owned hotel in Dallas. His title: Food & Beverage Director.
           
Nearly 30 years later, he and his wife, Vicki, own American Liberty and have expanded it to 13 hotels, inns and resorts throughout the state. Not a bad career path.

On Friday, Nov. 16, however, he achieved one of the best milestones any businessman, no matter how successful, can claim. His peers and those following in his path presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award to honor him for his contributions to the hospitality industry.

The moment came on the night when the Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston hosted its eighth annual Hospitality on Parade gala to pay tribute to all the men and women who keep the lights on, the rooms clean, the food prepared and the services prompt and award individuals who have gone far beyond their job descriptions and made a special difference to hotel guests, the community and the industry.

This, the Association’s highest recognition, is not given every year.

In presenting the special award, it was noted that what made Mr. Massad a perfect example of the individual for whom the award was originally created is how his impressive achievements in the industry have been more than matched by his generosity giving back.

After beginning as Food & Beverage Manager for American Liberty’s Dallas property, he was eventually promoted to General Manager, a title he held at several of the company’s properties. In 1983, he was named President of the company, and eight years later, he and his wife purchased ownership. Since that time, they have expanded the company to more than a dozen properties, the latest being the Embassy Suites and Alden hotels in Downtown Houston. 

He has served in the community in various positions inclusive of the Board of Directors of the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chairman of the Houston Hotel Association, Board of Directors of the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association, President of the Alumni Association for the Conrad N. Hilton College and is currently a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board at the College.

He has also established the Massad Family Scholarship Endowment at the Conrad N. Hilton College to enable others to begin careers in hospitality. A lifetime of generosity was truly noted in 2007, however, when the Massad Family gifted $1.5 million to enhance their alma mater's library and hospitality archives, the largest gift ever presented to the College from a source other than the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. The Massad Family Library Research Center and Hospitality Industry Archives opened in the spring of 2010. 

More than 30 individuals and companies were nominated for additional awards, divided by their job categories and activities within the industry. Candidates for the awards were nominated by their peers and employers, and the winners, announced at the gala, were chosen by a panel of industry leaders outside Southeast Texas. The awards recognized men and women whose day-to-day contributions give hospitality its meaning as well as a sixth award going to a company or individual allied to the industry through its work and participation with the Association.
           
Annual awards for their job performances, personal histories and contributions to both the community and the industry were given to:

Allied Partner
This award is given to an allied member of HLAGH that has made a significant contribution to the Houston lodging industry and to their individual lodging customers.
 
Ken Herst, MHS, Owner and President, HotelExecutive Search
 
Food & Beverage
Awarded to one individual from Food & Beverage including Kitchen, Restaurant, Room Service, and Banquets for an outstanding job service.

Joshua Wilson, Bistro Attendant, Courtyard byMarriott Houston Medical Center
 
Guest Services
Awarded to one individual from the Front Office, Concierge, Bell Service, or Reservations who continually goes far beyond expectations in providing for hotel guests.
 
Aurelio “Gino” Quintana, Guest ServiceManager, Hilton Houston North
 
Houston Spirit
This award is given to a hotel, allied business, or individual in recognition for their acts of a charitable nature that have left a profound and recognizable mark on the community.
 
CARE Committee, DoubleTree by Hilton Houston Downtown
 
Operations
Awarded to one individual from Housekeeping, Engineering, Security/Loss Prevention, Human Resources, Administration, or Accounting whose job dedication is particularly meritorious.
 
Diana Henriquez, Human Resource Generalist,The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel
 
Sales / Marketing / Convention Services / Catering Award
(Tie)
This award is given to employees that show exceptional performance by making a notable contribution toward generating revenue for local facilities, attractions and/or hospitality industry businesses, while supporting the hospitality industry through active involvement in organizations that encourage professional development and collaboration between industry partners.
 
Janice O’Neill-Cox, Director of Sales andmarketing, Hilton Americas-Houston
Stan Skadal, Senior Director of Sales, HyattRegency Houston
 
General Manager of the Year Award
This award honors a hotelier who has demonstrated superior professionalism in operating a Houston area hotel and has taken a leadership role in the industry by participating in the Association and the community.

Ron Lamers, General Manager, The St. RegisHouston
 
OUTSTANDING LODGING STUDENT AWARD
Students are selected for the award based on their industry experience, academic achievements, contributions to college activities and their character and integrity.
 
Niraji R.Bhavsar
Mary Anne Sheffel

The awards gala, chaired by Joe Palmieri, general manager of Hilton Americas Houston downtown, and founding-chair, Doug Horn, was held at the Hilton.