Ms. DeFranco

Agnes L. DeFranco

President

Conrad University Diversity Institute

Agnes L. DeFranco began her teaching career in 1988, specializing in hospitality accounting, finance, and purchasing courses. She received her Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Master in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, and Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Houston.

Her interests in teaching excellence and improvements are evident in her early research work. These interests won her a teaching excellence award at the Conrad N. Hilton College in 1995, the Enron Teaching Excellence Award for the University of Houston in 1996, and the Outstanding Faculty Award granting by the Houston Alumni Association in 1999. She is also a Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive and a Certified Hospitality Educator Cadre member, working and consulting with the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association to foster the importance of teaching excellence.

In 1997, she was also recognized with the Dean's Award for Excellence in Applied Research, and the Best paper Award at the 1997 Annual International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (CHRIE) Annual Convention and Exposition. She has also been a recipient of the University of Houston Dean of Students EXCEL Outstanding Mentor Award, the Conrad N. Hilton College Alumni Association's Distinguished Young Alumna Award, and the H.J. Heinz Graduate Fellowship granted by the Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association, among others.

Dr. DeFranco is active in a number of local, state, and national organizations. She currently serves as a Director on the board of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals, and board members at various advisory boards of community colleges, school districts, and local and state lodging associations. She is also active with the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education in their Finance Committee and Future Funds Committee and the American Hotel & Lodging Association at the national level serving on the Certification Commission of the Educational Institute and the Human Resources and Diversity Council. Her research areas are hospitality finance, cost control, accounting, and cultural and diversity issues.

Ms. DeFranco can be contacted at adefranco@uh.edu

Coming Up In The March Online Hotel Business Review

"Hotel Business Review offers weekly articles for hotel management and operation and discussion on emerging growth markets."
Feature Focus
Hotel Human Resources: The Biggest Challenges
The economic challenges of the past four years have led many hotel companies to re-examine the ways in which they do business and how they deploy talent. In many cases, the work did not go away and fewer people were left to carry on the tasks that had previously been shared among many. As we work our way out of the recession and look forward to a healthier economic environment, there is an understanding that despite recovering business levels, we may never see the return of former staffing levels. This "new norm" of operating with leaner teams has led Human Resources professionals and people managers to look at career development and growth opportunities in a new light. The March Hotel Business Review will take a look at some of the strategies being used by successful hotel brands, and techniques human resource directors are currently exploring.
INSIGHTS FOR INDUSTRY LEADERS BY INDUSTRY LEADERS
"The Four Habits of Highly Effective Human Resources"
By James Bermingham, Vice President, Montage Hotels
"Embassy Suites 'The Circle of Leadership"
By Darci Riesenhuber, Director of Brand Culture, Embassy Suites Hotels
"Applying Consumer Marketing Best Practices to Employee Loyalty"
By Fred Bendana, Executive Director Client Services, Maritz Loyalty & Motivation
"How Incentives are Changing to Keep Existing Staff Motivated?"
By Jim Houran, Partner, HVS Executive Search
PLUS: Mobile Technology - Attracting & Retaining Top Talent - Education - Employee Engagement - Employment Claims & Litigation - Employment Contracts - HR Management.