About

In 1996, the Hospitality Educators Association of Texas (HEAT) was formed to further professionalism for secondary educators who are teaching hospitality and tourism programs in the state of Texas.

HEAT is governed by a board of directors, consisting of high school and college hospitality educators and industry professionals.

President                             Louie Scott, Jr.,  Tarrant County College

First Vice President             Jill Greer, Texas City ISD

Second Vice President        Kandice Norrid, Tascosa High School

Secretary                         Chelly Sturgell, Retired

Past President                     Said Farraje, Hutto, ISD

HEAT DIRECTORS

Educator – Dallas         Abby Monroe, Pearland High School

Educator – Houston            Leslie Grantham, LPHS Culinary Arts & Hospitality

Educator – San Antonio      Lindy Hutton, Glenn High School Leander ISD 

Post Secondary                   Sarah Pequeno, St. Philips College 

Post Secondary                   Mary Dawson, University of Houston

Post Secondary Dan Eichler,  Texas A&M

Post Secondary Jeff Britain, UNT

Post Secondary                   Steve DeShazo, Dallas College

Industry                               Jason Avelson, Zwilling J.A. Henckels

Industry Lori Champion, CCG Global Advisors                           

DMO/CVB                           Meredith Darden, Visit Corpus Christi

Hotel                                   Damien O'Connor, Sheraton Ft. Worth

Hotel                       Tejal Patel, Neemtree Hospitality

ExOfficio                              Debbie Wieland, THLA

ExOfficio                              Erica Bates, TEA

ExOfficio                              Erika Boyd, TTA

ExOfficio Jennifer Roush, TTA

ExOfficio Heather Pickett, TRA