"Eric's intelligence and his understanding of how this technology could be applied and should be applied to hotels are unmatched in the industry," said Cindy Estis Green, managing partner for the Estis Group. "He was able to translate the sophisticated capability of technology into a workable solution when the industry was still viewing technology as a support to accounting … Eric is so passionate about revenue management that his enthusiasm and intensity about its use was very instrumental in making this discipline a standard in the hotel industry today."
Since the inception of the HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame in 1989, 21 individuals have been recognized at HITEC for their contributions to the hospitality industry. The Technology Hall of Fame is the hospitality industry's highest level of recognition in the area of technology. Hall of Fame members have been selected by their peers as representing the best in innovation and application of technology and as leaders in their profession. To be eligible for selection to the Technology Hall of Fame, an individual must have made significant and lasting contributions to hospitality technology in any or all areas of development, application, and promotion.
Technology Hall of Fame members include such industry pioneers as: Robert S. Bennett, Pegasus Solutions; David Berkus, Berkus Technology Ventures, LLC; Richard Brooks, CHA, Meristar Hotels & Resorts, Inc.; John Cahill, CHTP, CHA, Manhattan East Suite Hotels; Larry Chervenak, CHAE, Chervenak, Keane & Company; John Davis III, Pegasus Solutions; Raymond C. Ellis, Jr., CHTP, CHE, CLSD, Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel Restaurant Management, University of Houston; Scott Heintzeman, Carlson Hospitality Worldwide Corp.; Robert Horgan, Newmarket International, Inc.; Michael Kasavana, Ph.D., CHTP, The School of Hospitality Business, Michigan State University; Carrol Lund, ECI Computer, Inc. (retired); Richard Moore, CDP, School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University; Jack Morgan, Morgan Systems, Inc.; Richard Nauman, Perot Systems Corp.; William Oates, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.; Raymond Schultz, Promus Hotel Corp.; Penelope Sellers, ELTRAX Systems, Inc. (retired); Jules Sieburgh, CHTP, CHA, Host Marriott Corp.; Sal Spano, CHAE, CHA, Palm Beach Polo & Country Club; James Yoakum, Creative Telecom Solutions; and George Zugmier, Hospitality Solutions International.
Nominations were solicited in March from industry press, current Hall of Fame members, industry association executives, and HFTP leaders.
Based in Austin, Texas, HFTP is the professional association for financial and IT personnel working in hotels, resorts, clubs, casinos, restaurants, and other hospitality-related businesses. The association provides continuing education and networking opportunities to more than 4,000 members around the world. HFTP also administers the examination and awards the certification for the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations. HFTP was founded in 1952 as the National Association of Hospitality Accountants.
HFTP® and HITEC® are registered service marks of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals.
