HLAGH Elects Jim Mills as 2009-2010 Board Chair

GM of The Houstonian

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. June 30, 2009

HOUSTON, TX, June 30, 2009 - The Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston (HLAGH), a non-profit organization representing one of the largest industries in Southeast Texas, has elected Jim Mills, General Manager of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, to continue as its 2009-2010 Board of Directors Chair. Mr. Mills has been serving as interim chair since early this year when he was named to replace hotelier Beth Thomas.

Ms. Thomas, former general manager of the Westin Galleria and Westin Oaks Hotels in The Galleria, was promoted within her company to a job in Atlanta.

The new board, elected at the June HLAGH Membership meeting, will take office effective July 1, 2009.

Other members elected include Tom Rosepink, General Manager of the Marriott Houston Intercontinental as Chair Elect; Tom Mathews, General Manager of the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites - Med Center as 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; Nelson Gumm, President of AJR & Associates as Sergeant-at-Arms; John Binick, General Manager of the Hilton Houston Post Oak, was re-elected as Immediate Past Chair. M. Joan Johnson will continue as the organization's President.

Before becoming General Manager of The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, Mr. Mills was The Houstonian's Executive Chef for more than seven years. He has more than 20 years experience in the hotel industry, with a culinary background spanning 25-plus years. Mr. Mills has also served as board chair and current board member of End Hunger Network, an organization geared to feeding as many as 6,000 of Houston's hungry every day. He also has served as coordinator of Houston's Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation event, held annually at The Houstonian.

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.

With 300 members, the organization is made up of general managers and owners of hotels and motels, suppliers, service companies and consultants who sell and service the hospitality industry. This industry, which provides more than 89,000 jobs and $327 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. Mills' 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.

For more information, call the HLAGH at 713-437-5250 or visit its web site, www.houstonhotels.org.