“We have been so fortunate to work with Southwest Host Services. As coaches, it seems we have endless responsibilities. At least there is one area in which we can relax, take a breath, and know it is under control – hotel accommodations. When we forward our schedule, we know our hotel arrangements are in good hands." Sarah Dawson, Shelli Manson, Amber Miles |
Most of my career prior to Southwest Host Services was spent in hotel management/sales and marketing, with the last several years focused on athletic team accommodations. During that time I met many great coaches and their support staff, as well as Linda Hitchins of Southwest Host Services. In 2002 Linda and I became business partners in the company. After 8 years as half of this successful partnership, I am now solely operating Southwest Host Services. Linda‘s decision to step back was anticipated, planned and professional. I am grateful for every opportunity she presented and all the years of learning from her. I am also pleased she continues to actively participate in the company.
My career has settled comfortably and permanently into Southwest Host Services. My goals are to continue creatively developing the company to better serve our coach clients, provide a rewarding, satisfying and effective operation for our team travel specialists, plus maintain a productive relationship with our partnered hotels. Working toward that end is also my husband Jason, now working with me and Southwest Host Services as Chief Financial Officer.
I continue to enjoy living in Fort Collins, Colorado. It is a great city in a beautiful state. I love to be outdoors whenever possible, all four seasons. Our daughter Grace is nearly complete with her architecture studies and our son Ben, continues pharmacy school. Happily, Beulah the cat still performs her duties as office assistant.
After sixteen years in hotel management, I turned my back on the industry to become an entrepreneur. In 1991, I joined another individual to form the company which many of you may remember as Host Team. This partnership was dissolved in 1998, and Southwest Host Services was formed.
In 2002, Lisa Dixon and I collaborated to form an excellent partnership. At that time, we formed a goal for Lisa to assume the helm of our business at some time in the future. I knew then that Lisa possessed the foresight, integrity and intelligence to grow the company.
As of 1 January 2010, this came to fruition. I made the choice to depart from the leadership and administrative duties of the company, though I continue to work with my sports team clients as a Travel Team Specialist.
I live in Scottsdale, Arizona with Steven Lester, who is an attorney, and five cats: Lady Grey, Roxanna, Braveheart, Tiki and Delilah. I enjoy cooking, the arts, music and world travel.
I was born in Arizona and raised in West Virginia. I have a huge Italian family – never a dull moment! I moved back to Arizona in 1997, and worked for two years with the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was lots of fun, and I really learned a lot.
In 1999, I went to work for Southwest Host Services and I’ve never looked back. I can honestly say I love my job. I live for a challenge so recruiting is the perfect fit for me. The coaches I work with are great and I adore each and every one of them.
I live now in West Virginia with my Prince Charming – my husband, Dave. We have two beautiful daughters, Jenna and Kaylee and a handful of pets which we affectionately refer to as our “animal kingdom.”
I was born in Arizona and began my hotel career at the age of 17 to earn extra money while going to high school. Over the years, this progressed into a Director of Sales position at the Country Inn & Suites Phoenix. While there I had the opportunity to work with Southwest Host Services and their sports teams. This was so much fun that when I was asked to join Southwest Host Services in 2002 I jumped at the opportunity.
I have been married to the same great man for 39 years and have 3 boys and 7 grandkids. We enjoy bass fishing and BBQ's with the family. Life is good and I still enjoy what God gave me the chance to do.
I joined Southwest Host Services in May, 2003 and thoroughly enjoy the working relationship I have with my clients.
Before joining Southwest Host Services, I worked in the hotel industry as a sales manager and prior to that, I was a meeting planner for the Rain Bird Corporation Training Division.
After spending many years in Arizona, my husband Jim and I decided to make North Carolina our home. I have 2 grown children, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
After graduating from Louisiana Tech University, I went into the medical field and was a Nursing Facility Administrator for fourteen years. I co-owned a Yamaha Dealership, a lawn care business and then started in hotel sales, where I built a relationship with Southwest Host Services. I joined with them three years ago when the opportunity presented itself.
I live in Ruston, Louisiana with my handsome husband, Mike, my darling daughter, Kelsey, and smart son, Zach. I am active in my community and my church. I love life and try to live each day to the fullest.
I have an eleven-year background in the hospitality industry, and first encountered Southwest Host Services as a Director of Sales for an AmeriSuites in 1998. I am a true believer in Southwest Host Services and the benefits they offer to sports teams.
I met my husband (a college football coach) when his team was booked into my hotel in 2001, and have now been married over five years. I began working with Southwest Host Services in August of 2007 after our daughter was born. We currently reside in Oregon.
I am a native of Nebraska and lived there my entire life. I retired from Marriott International after 25 years of service, working in the National Group Sales office for seventeen years of those years. During that time, I realized how much I enjoyed working with sports teams and coaches.
Southwest Host Services was one of my best clients while working at Marriott. We had a great working relationship and I had always admired their professionalism and service to their clients. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to join the team in August 2009.
I recently moved to Florida with my partner Jerry. I have one son, Philip, who is in the US Army currently stationed at Fort Campbell, KY. We have 3 little toy Pomeranians, Missy, Petey and Beauty who are both a joy and a pain at times!
I joined my wife Lisa with Southwest Host Services this year after a lengthy career in hotel management and operations with several hotel franchises including Marriott, Sheraton and Holiday Inns. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, I worked as A CPA for five years and entered the hospitality industry as a corporate controller eventually moving into management as a general manager and director of operations.
After working primarily in Texas, it was great to join Lisa in Colorado after many years of travel, commuting and relocations. I've always followed sports with a passion and still love playing golf, so it is exciting to have a position related to sports, accounting and the hospitality industry.