President
Jason Purifoy
Director of Sales & Marketing, Wyndham West Houston Energy Corridor
Jason began his career in food and beverage at the Woodlands Resort and Conference Center while studying Psychology at Sam Houston State University.
After finishing his studies, he joined Hilton Hotels Corporation where he served as Front Office Supervisor, Assistant Front Office Manager, Director of Front Office Operations and Sales Manager at the Doubletree Houston Post Oak. During this time he led 4 operations departments through a $15,000,000 renovation and brand conversion to what is now the Hilton Houston Post Oak. He also managed various sales markets including SMERF and Corporate, earned a Certified Hospitality Sales Professional designation through the American Hotel & Lodging Association, received the Manager of the Quarter Award and was nominated for Hilton s coveted Spirit of Pride Award.
Furthering his sales career, Jason joined Coldwell Banker Commercial specializing in lodging property acquisition and disposition and later joined Westmont Hospitality Group as the Senior Sales Manager at the Doubletree Guest Suites Houston Galleria and later became the Assistant Director of Sales and Marketing at La Torretta Del Lago Resort & Spa. He is currently Director of Group Sales for the Westin Houston Memorial City. With more than 12 years of successful hospitality experience in food and beverage, operations and sales management, he is a valued addition to the 2008-2009 MPI HAC Board of Directors.
He served on the Board of Directors of MPI for the past four years as VP of Administration, President-Elect, President and he is currently Immediate Past President and Chairman of the Past President s Council. During his Presidency, they had one of the best years fiscally and improved on all other KPI s that they measure. He also recently received the American Hotel & Lodging Association- Sales & Marketing HOP Award and has been elected to serve on MPI International Chapter Advisory Council.
Past President John Graner
Owner, Experience Houston
John Graner is currently the owner of Experience Houston, a full-service destination management company. They provide airport transfers, local transportation management, experiential activities, group dinner coordination and on-site staffing. With almost 15 years of sales experience, John s number one priority is customer satisfaction, while delivering exceptional service throughout the process.
Prior to this new venture in John's career, he was a member of Sullivan Group beginning in January of 2005 with multiple years of experience as a sales manager with Gray Line of Houston, managing and operating tours and transportation services.
John is very active in the hospitality industry and currently is a member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), Texas Business Travelers Association (TBTA), Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston (HLAGH), Religious Convention Management Association (RCMA) and currently serves on the membership committee of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitor s Bureau (GHCVB) and on the Board of Directors for Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI).
John resides in Katy, TX with his wife Melissa and daughters Madison and Emma. He is a native of Louisiana, where he received his degree in International Trade and Finance from Louisiana State University.
Treasurer
Kali Currey
Director of Revenue Management, Westin Galleria & Westin Oaks Houston
She began her hospitality career as a front desk agent in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 2000 and set her career path in Revenue Management when she joined the Sheraton Baton Rouge as Sales Reporting Systems Analyst in May of 2001 and later was promoted to Revenue Manager.
In April of 2006 Kali moved to Houston to join the Westin Galleria & Westin Oaks as Revenue Manager until her promotion in 2008 to her current role.
Education
Alice Hothem
Director of Sales & Marketing, Doubletree Guest Suites - the Galleria
Allie is responsible for overseeing all Sales and Marketing aspects for the 380 unit Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel. She offers a wealth of experience having spent 25 years in the hotel industry including 8 years with the Hilton Family of Brands"! in various locations.
Well-known to the hotel business, Allie was named Director of Sales of the Year in 2002 by the Embassy Suites Hotels; a Hilton Family Hotel. She was a Regional Director of Sales for the Westmont Hospitality Group prior to joining the team at the Doubletree in Houston.
Allie was selected for the 2005 Marketing Career Track Advisory Board at Cornell University. She is a member of numerous organizations and committees including; The Greater Houston Partnership, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo"!, the Galleria Chamber of Commerce and HSMAI where she is Past-President of the Ohio Chapter.
Membership
Ann Massey
Director of Catering, Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston
A graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management, Ann began her hospitality career working in fine dining. A career change followed three years later to the hotel industry with an emphasis in convention services and catering.
Ann arrived at the Hilton University of Houston in October 2008 as part of the management team responsible for re-positioning the sales/marketing efforts during a substantial renovation. Her responsibilities at the hotel included being a frequent guest speaker at the prestigious Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management.
Ann joined the newly opened Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston in November 2012 as the Director of Catering.
Ann is an active member of several organizations including; Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo" and the Junior League of Houston, Inc. She is an avid patron of athletic and scholastic events at the University of Houston.
Communications
Lindsay Scott
Travel has always been a passion for Lindsay. She received her B.S. from the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. After graduating with honors Lindsay inspired to become an 'event planner/wedding planner'.
Lindsay s first job out of college was as a Catering Sales Manager for an independent property in downtown Houston. From this position she continued to grow her career, within in the hotel, to include positions of Group Sales and Catering, Business Travel Sales, and Director of Market Strategy.
After five years she accepted the position at the Hilton University of Houston as the Director of Revenue where she was also a guest lecturer at University courses in Revenue Management. From there, Lindsay went to Hilton Americas-Houston before deciding to try a new adventure with Expedia.
Revenue Management Shane Nines
Shane is the Director of Revenue Management for the Hilton Americas Houston. He oversees the room revenue and group catering revenue management efforts for the city of Houston s largest hotel.
Prior to his tenure with the Hilton Americas Houston, Shane served as an Assistant Director of Revenue Management at Hilton s Commercial Services office in Dallas, Texas. In that role, he oversaw the training and development of Revenue Analysts and Revenue Managers new to the industry. Prior to Revenue Management, Shane was in Front Office Management and Hotel IT.
Shane graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Business Administration and currently resides in Houston, TX with his wife Jennifer.
Convention & Visitors Bureau Liaison
Nathan Tollett
Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau
University of Houston Student Liaison
Eric Frankum
Currently Eric Frankum is working as the Complex Sales and Catering Administrative Assistant at the Westin Memorial City in Houston.
Eric began his career with Starwood as a Sales Administrative Assistant at the Sheraton Brookhollow in Houston. While earning his degree in Hospitality Management from the Conrad N. Hilton College at the University of Houston, Eric interned with various hotel companies including the Westin Galleria, Sheraton Dallas, Fairmont Dallas and spent summers working in Hawaii at the Four Seasons Lanai and Sheraton Maui.
Eric s interest in sales and marketing lead him to become the Vice President of the HSMAI UH Collegiate Chapter from 2009-2010 while in college. When Eric is not reading about the next big marketing niche, he enjoys heading to the coast to go fishing or surfing and loves to explore the restaurant scene in Houston.
Managing Director
Kim Duffaut
Executive Assistant, Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston (formerly the InterContinental Houston near the Galleria)
Kim began her career in October 1998 at the Hilton Post Oak (formerly Doubletree Hotel Post Oak) as a Catering Assistant and was promoted to Divisional Marketing Assistant in November 1999. From there she moved in 2001 to the Hilton University of Houston within the Conrad N. Hilton College of Restaurant and Hotel Management as Executive Assistant.
It was in March 2002 that Kim began her career with the InterContinental Hotels Group. She was a member of the opening team for the InterContinental Houston as the Conference Services Coordinator acting as liaison with corporate groups, government and foreign dignitaries, as well as sports affiliates. In May 2005, Kim became the Executive Assistant to the General Manager and liaison to vendors, companies and organizations.
And in October 2011, became the Managing Director for the Greater Houston Chapter of HSMAI.