While receiving her bachelor’s degree from the Hilton School for Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston, Liz began working in the culinary intern program with Starwood Hotels, giving her a strong background for later work in catering sales, food and beverage operations and conference and event management. Texan born, Liz enjoys activities in the sun – rowing Lady Bird Lake, boating at Lake Travis, biking around town and growing peppers and tomatoes in the garden. Liz has been with ACC since 2004.
Education:
B.A., University of Houston, Hilton School for Hotel and Restaurant Management
Intern, Starwood Hotels
Masters, Augusta State University, Business Administration
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), 2008
Professional Experience:
Marriott Hotels
Manager, Food and Beverage Operations, University of Texas
Manager, Food and Beverage Operations, Augusta State University
Conferences Project Manager, Texas Association of Counties
Email: [email protected] 
Phone: 512.223.5181

Lucas Alonso is a dedicated hospitality professional with extensive experience in hotel management. Currently serving as the General Manager of the Aloft Austin at the Domain, Lucas brings a wealth of industry knowledge to his students. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Hospitality and Tourism from West Virginia University and has a proven track record of leading hotels to achieve significant revenue growth and high guest satisfaction. Lucas is passionate about mentoring future hospitality leaders and enhancing educational experiences in the field.

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with an emphasis in Hospitality and Tourism – West Virginia University
Professional Experience:
Front Desk Supervisor – White Lodging Services
Front Office Manager – Hyatt House
Assistant General Manager- Hyatt Place
General Manager- SpringHill Suites by Marriott
General Manager- National Hospitality Services
General Manager – LodgeWorks Partners
Business Office Manager – Grand Living at the Grove
Email: [email protected]

With 17 years immersed in the hospitality industry, Aliya Amanzholova has cultivated diverse expertise spanning hospitality management, sales and marketing, revenue management, and operations. While receiving her degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Houston, Aliya worked for luxury boutique hotels in Houston, TX. After graduation, she continued her career in sales and marketing at focused service Hilton properties.
After moving to Austin in 2014, Aliya opened and owned a restaurant for 8 years while continuing her career in hotel sales.
Passionate about continuous growth, Aliya has consistently sought opportunities to align her professional acumen with impactful endeavors. This passion led her to The Humane League, where she joined as a Training & Event Specialist in 2022. Since then, she has advanced to the role of Senior Project Manager, channeling her skills to further causes close to her heart.

Education:
A.A.S., Hotel & Restaurant Management, Houston Community College
B.S. with Honors, Hotel & Restaurant Management, University of Houston
Professional Experience:
Senior Project Manager at The Humane League
AAJ Hospitality LLC– Co-Founder. Opera Café ownership
Training & Event Specialist – The Humane League
Director of Sales- Baywood Hotels. Hilton Southwest Region portfolio
Task Force Sales – Hotel Granduca
Director of Sales – Moody National Companies. Homewood Suites & Hampton Inn by Hilton
Association Sales – DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Austin
Director of Sales & Marketing – Allied Hospitality Inc.

Hotel Operations – Hilton Garden Inn Houston Galleria, Hotel Granduca, The Lancaster Hotel
Email: [email protected]

Introduced to the industry by her Chef father and working at their family owned Italian restaurant led Michelle to learn more about the industry. After years of education and working in the hospitality industry, Michelle discovered her passion for hotel operations and training. Michelle keeps busy with her two children, Lennon and Macklin, along with their high energy dog, Ginger. They enjoy traveling, spending time with family, hiking around Austin, watching live music and trying to keep up with the Austin foodie scene. Michelle has been with ACC since 2010.
Education:
MHM, Executive Masters of Hospitality, University of  Houston
B.A., Hotel and Restaurant Institutional Management, Mercyhurst University, Erie, PA
Internship with Schiller International University, Engelberg, Switzerland
Professional Experience:
Manager, Fairfield Inn by Marriott Frederick, MD
Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Frederick, MD
Faculty, Prince George’s Community College
Leadership & Training Manager at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, MD
Austin Community College- Hospitality Department Chair
Austin Community College- Assistant Dean of Faculty Development
Austin Community College- Associate Dean of Faculty Recruitment
Email: [email protected]

With a heart for service, Ann is compassionate about “meeting people where they are” in their educational and career journeys.

She comes equipped with over three decades of professional experience in higher education, corporate America, and in the non-profit sectors. Over the span of her career, Ann has developed a comprehensive and diverse skillset which encompasses business development, career coaching, strategic planning, and operational framework.

Prior to returning to ACC, Ann was the Director of Career Services at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Austin campus. For 7 ½ years, her focus was on helping culinary and pastry arts students identify and achieve their long-term goals, create short-term strategies and assisting them reach milestones along the way. She also served as the Associate Director of Career Services at DeVry University (Austin).

Ann adores spending time with family, loves sports (especially football and track) and enjoys gardening.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Business Management
Texas A&M – Commerce
Professional Experience:
Instructor/Trainer (Today’s Jobs) – Austin Community College
Chief Strategy Officer – Keii Desserts, LLC
Director of Career Services – Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Associate Director of Career Services – DeVry University
Sr. Lender Consultant – Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corp.
Advising/Assessment Specialist – Austin Community College
Email: [email protected]

Nichole moved to Austin in 2011 from Maryland with her husband William, who was opening up a brewery. Nichole’s background includes over 10 years in the hospitality industry with a focus on hotel sales and operations. Nichole has worked for the programs of Hospitality, Meeting & Event Planning, and Travel & Tourism departments at Austin Community College since 2011.  When not working Nichole can be found spending time with her husband and 3 children, Ariston, Emerson and Sloane.
Education:
BS, East Carolina University, Hospitality Management with a minor in Business Management
Professional Experience:
Sales Coordinator – Courtyard by Marriott – Gaithersburg, MD
Event Manager, Courtyard by Marriott – Gaithersburg, MD
Sales Manager, Courtyard by Marriott – Gaithersburg, MD
Assistant General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott – Gaithersburg, MD
Assistant General Manager, Fairfield Inn by Marriott – Frederick, MD
Assistant General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott – Gettysburg, PA
General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott- Gettysburg, PA
Hospitality & Culinary Departments Event Coordinator, Austin Community College -Austin, TX
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 512.223.5274

Originally from Buffalo, New York, Stacey started her career working as a stage manager for dance companies including Ballet Austin, Atlanta Ballet, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.  She returned to Austin in 1999 and embarked on a new journey in meetings, events, and hospitality which began with enrolling in classes at ACC. Currently she is the Director of Events at the beautiful KMFA studios where she practices her event planning skills and manages the facility rental program.
Education:
B.F.A., University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana
Certificate in Meeting & Event Planning, Austin Community College
Certified Meeting Planner (CMP)
Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP)
Professional Experience:
Director of Events, KMFA studios
Manager of Special Events, Blanton Museum of Art, The University of Texas at Austin
Event Project Manager, George P. Johnson Event Marketing Agency
Independent Event Producer
Event Manager, United Way Capital Area
Email: [email protected]
In The News:  Check out Stacey’s “In The Bag” Presentation for ILEA

Franklin is a native of Colombia, with a diverse and comprehensive background in both hospitality management and education. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management, an MBA with a focus on Sustainable Tourism, and a doctoral degree in Education. With a deep passion for global cultures, hospitality, travel, and tourism, Franklin has been dedicated to sharing his expertise and ideas with his students for the past 7 years. His experience in the industry spans various roles, including travel agent, airport operations, restaurants, hotels, and resorts. With a focus on cultural tourism and human geography, Franklin remains committed to teaching hospitality travel and tourism and inspiring the next generation of professionals in the field.

Franklin is a research enthusiast who has dedicated his academic career to understanding human behavior and its impact on sustainability. During his master’s program, he conducted research on the behaviors of tourists towards sustainability in Austin, Texas, and wrote his thesis on the topic. Building on this foundation, he went on to pursue his doctoral studies where he explored the attitudes and behaviors of faculty toward students with disabilities at the Austin Community College. His dissertation shed light on the complexities of faculty-student interactions and provided valuable insights for creating a more inclusive learning environment. With his unique blend of research expertise and passion for sustainability and teaching, Franklin is poised to make a meaningful contribution to the field.
Education:
Doctor of Education. Benito Juarez University. Puebla, Mexico.
MBA in Sustainable Tourism. University of Salamanca. Salamanca, Spain
Bachelor’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Purdue University Calumet.
Hammond,
Indiana
Associate’s Degree in Airlines Services Management. Politecnico Grancolombiano.
Bogota, Colombia
Associate’s Degree in Hospitality Management. Houston Community College. Houston,
Texas
Professional Experience:
Front Desk Supervisor. Hyatt Place Austin Airport
Travel Agent. Valencia Venezuela
Assistant Manager. Plenomar Hotel, Santa Marta Colombia
Email: [email protected]

Antonio is originally from Ottawa, Canada where he began his career in the hospitality industry. Antonio worked in multiple departments at a hotel in his hometown for a year after high school before going to Algonquin College for Hotel & Restaurant Management. During his college years he worked at the Westin Ottawa part time and was promoted to a Full Time Banquet Captain while still in school. After graduating with an associate’s degree, he stayed with the Westin for a year, then had the opportunity to work in Turks & Caicos Islands as an Outlets Manager with Club Med Resorts. Antonio went on and worked in multiple departments as a manager such as Front Office, Banquets, and Food & Beverage outlets for multiple hotel Chains. He is Currently the Complex Director of Operations for two Hilton properties in Austin. When not working, Antonio spends his time working out and spending quality time with his two children.
Education:
Associates Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management, Algonquin College, Ottawa, Canada
Professional Experience:
Outlets Manager, Turks & Caicos Islands, Club Med Resorts
Outlets Manager/Banquet Assistant Manager, The Westin Ottawa
Banquet Manager/Food and Beverage Manager, The Albert at Bay Suite Hotel/Best Western Victoria Park Suits, Ottawa,
Canada
Front Office Manager, The Albert at Bay Suite Hotel, Ottawa, Canada
Food & Beverage Manager, The Marriott Horseshoe Bay Resorts, Horseshoe Bay, Texas
Banquet Manager, Food & Beverage Director, InterContinental Stephen F Austin, Austin, TX
Director Of Food And Beverage at Campus On Lake Austin
Complex Director Of Operations, DoubleTree Suites By Hilton Austin & Embassy Suites Austin Downtown South Congress
Email: [email protected]

Stephen Taylor has over 10 years of hospitality experience in various roles and has a passion for sharing his experience with students to prepare them for various career situations. Originally from Portland, Tennessee, Stephen graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Service Management from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Stephen worked in the hospitality industry throughout college, gaining experience in all operations at select service hotels and worked in the restaurant industry. He completed an internship with Homewood Suites by Hilton and completed the Disney College Program at Walt Disney Company in Orlando, FL. Stephen relocated to Austin, TX in 2016. Currently, Stephen is the General Manager of the Aloft Austin Southwest. When he is not working, Stephen enjoys spending time with his husband and three dogs.

Stephen is passionate about sharing his experiences with students to prepare them for various career situations.
Education:
B.S. in Service Management, Minor in Business Administration, University of Tennessee – Knoxville.
Professional Experience:
Disney College Program, Walt Disney Company – Orlando, FL
Operations Manager, Marriott International – Nashville, TN
Assistant General Manager, Hooters of America – Nashville, TN
Assistant General Manager, Homewood Suites by Hilton – Brentwood, TN
General Manager, Hampton Inn by Hilton – Columbia, MD
General Manager, Residence Inn by Marriott – Gaithersburg, MD
Area General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott & Residence Inn by Marriott – Austin, TX
General Manager, Hyatt Place Austin Airport – Austin, TX
Area General Manager, National Hospitality Services – Fargo, ND
Vice President of Operations, Lux Concierge – San Antonio, TX
General Manager, Aloft Austin Southwest – Austin, TX
Email: [email protected]