July 8, 2010 - The Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston, a non-profit organization representing one of the largest industries in Southeast Texas, has elected Thomas Rosepink, General Manager, Marriott Houston Intercontinental,  as its 2010-2011 Board of Directors Chair. 
         
A resident of Kingwood, Texas, Rosepink brings more than three decades of hotel experience to his newly elected position, But it has also been an interesting road from ball courts to ballrooms. He received his BA from George Washington University where he played NCAA basketball, attending there on an athletic scholarship. After graduation, he took his basketball skills to Venezuela and Peru where was a professional player then a coach. Rosepink was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where his father had played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
         
He has served as general manager at the Marriott Houston Intercontinental for almost 10 years and has been with Marriott Hotels for 32. Besides Houston, his hotel career includes management positions in New Orleans, Dallas/Fort Worth, Kansas City and San Antonio. Rosepink is a member of SKAL, an executive committee member and board member of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, a board member of the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association and past chair of Houston Marriott�s Business council. He is married with three children. 
         
The new board, elected at the June 24 HLAGH Membership meeting, took office effective July 1, 2010.
         
Other members elected to the executive board include:

Tom Mathews, General Manager of the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites � Med Center as Chair Elect ; 
Nelson Gumm, President of AJR & Associates, First Vice Chair ; 
Michael Giangrosso, General Manager of the Comfort Suites - Seabrook as Secretary ; 
Steve Trent, General Manager of the downtown Hyatt Regency as treasurer ; 
Alfredo Matos, General Manager of Hilton Houston Westchase, as Sergeant-at-Arms; and 
Jim Mills, General Manager of the The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, was re-elected as Immediate Past Chair. 

Stephanie Haynes will continue as the organization�s President. 
         
While the position may be a voluntary one, the HLAGH Chair oversees an organization representing an industry which were it a single company, would be the largest in the area in employment, taxable income and economic impact. The organization was especially valuable in helping government and emergency operation agencies coordinate lodging needs during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and has extended its efforts in educating the general public on finding available rooms in the region during emergency evacuations. It is also and invaluable go-to organization in helping create packages to attract major conventions, sporting events and national and international conferences.
         
With 300 members, the organization is made up of general managers and owners of hotels and lodging facilities, suppliers, service companies and consultants who sell and service the hospitality industry. This industry, which provides more than 89,000 jobs and more than $300 million in payroll, is one of the top contributors to the Houston economy.
         
Serving as the voice representing the hotel and lodging industry in the Houston area, HLAGH is active in governmental affairs, education, tourism and charitable efforts. Among Mr. Rosepink�s responsibilities will be coordinating advocacy efforts and educational programs as well as its charitable efforts - the organization provides scholarships to the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management at the University of Houston.
         
The organization works closely with the Greater Houston Conventions and Visitors Bureau to promote Houston as a convention and tourism location. Travel spending in the greater Houston area last year generated more than $147 million in local taxes. Hotels and lodging facilities also infused more than $500 million in construction and renovation spending into the local economy in the last several years.