Hospitality Executive of the Year

Recipients

2024

Jim Risoleo, President & CEO Host Hotels

2023

Mit Shawm, Founder & CEO Noble Investment Group

2021

Christoper Nassetta, Hilton, President and CEO

2019

Dawn Sweeney, National Restaurant Association, President and CEO

2018

Arne Sorenson, Marriott International Inc., President and CEO

2017

Leland Pillsbury, Thayer Lodging Group, a Brookfield Company, Chairman

2015

Jon Luther, Arby's Restaurant Group, Chairman

2014

Michael Leven, Las Vegas Sands Corporation, President & COO

2013

Jim Abrahamson, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, CEO

2012

Steve Rushmore, HVS, Chairman and Founder

2011

Randy Smith, STR, Chairman & co-Founder

2010

Roger Dow, U.S. Travel Association, President and CEO

2009

Niki Leondakis, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, President and COO

2008

Andrew Kerin, ARAMARK, President

2007

Tom Giannopoulos, Micros, Chairman and CEO

2006

Richard Schnieders, Sysco, CEO

2005

Jim Broadhurst, Eat'n Park, Chairman and CEO

2004

Robert Cotter, Starwood Hotels and Resort, President and COO

2003

Denise Fugo, Sammy's, Chairman and CEO

2002

Al Schuman, Ecolab, Chairman and CEO

2001

Michael Landel, Sodexo, President and CEO

2000

Mariyln Carlson Nelson, Carlson Worldwide, CEO

1999

Skip Hartman, Loews, Vice President and Managing Director

1997

Joseph Neubauer, ARAMARK, CEO

1996

Henry Silverman, Cendant Corporation, CEO

1995

Herman Cain, Godfather's Pizza, CEO

1994

Ray Schultz, Promus Hotel Corporation, Chairman and CEO

1993

John Farquharson, The International Food Safety Council, President

1992

Elaine Etess, Elaine G. Etess Associates, President

1991

Michael Hurst, 15th Street Fisheries and Boathouse, Owner

1990

Steven Reinemund, Pizza Hut Worldwide, President and CEO

1989

Carl Mottek, Hilton Hotels Corporation, President

1988

William Hulett, Stouffer Hotel Company, President

1987

J.W. Marriott, Jr., Marriott International, Chairman and CEO

1986

Michael Rose, Darden, Director

1985

Robert Richards, Seabreeze Restaurant, Owner

1984

Edward Book, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, Chairman and CEO

1983

Richard Holtzman

1982

Howard James, Sheraton Corporation, President and CEO

1981

Walter Conti, Conti Cross Keys Inn, Owner

1980

Richard Benefield, Hotel Magee, General Manager

1979

Grace Buscher, Coco Palms Resort Hotel, General Manager

1978

Alphonse Salomone, Hilton Hotels Corporation, Senior Vice President

1977

Thomas Lennon, The Homestead, President

1976

Chef Louis Szathmary, The Bakery, Chef & Restaurant Owner

1975

James McLamore, Burger King Corporation, Board Chairman

1975

Harry Mullikin, Western International Hotels (Westin Hotels & Resorts), Chairman and CEO

1974

James Bobb, Hershey Estates, President

1973

William Fishman, ARA Services, Inc., President

1972

Howard Johnson, Howard Johnson CO., Chairman of the Board

1971

George Washko, Marriott Hotels, Inc., Regional Vice President

1970

Edmond Leach

1969

Barron Hilton, Hilton Hotels , President and Chairman of the Board

1968

Preston Robert Tisch, Loews Hotel Corporation, President

1967

J.W. Marriott, Jr., Marriott Corporation, President

1966

Stuart Kines, Marriott Motor Inn, Rochester, NY, General Manager

1965

James Johnson

1964

Charles A.B. Heinze, Allenberry Resort Inn and Playhouse, President

1961

Milton Fritsche, Horn and Hardart, President

1960

M.C. Matty Mateer, Hotel State College, Managing Partner