SITUATION OVERVIEW:
ZRG has been engaged to recruit an Executive Director for Houston Hospitality Alliance.
ABOUT HOUSTON HOSPITALITY ALLIANCE:
Houston Hospitality Alliance promotes, advocates for, connects, and educates Houston’s vibrant and diverse hospitality and tourism businesses by providing professional development and advocacy opportunities. With a membership totaling 820, HHA provides the fuel for growth in Houston’s diverse food, art, culture and hospitality experiences.
MISSION STATEMENT
To promote, advocate for, connect, and educate Houston’s vibrant and diverse hospitality and tourism businesses.
VISION
Growing Houston’s hospitality and tourism industries into the most successful, recognized, and celebrated of any city in the world.
HHA VALUE PROPOSITION
Promote
Promoting all aspects of Houston’s hospitality industry…bring the HYPE and spread the message of how to best experience Houston hospitality.
Advocate and Influence
Advocating and influencing on behalf of Houston’s hospitality industry to ensure the industry’s voice is heard and concerns are addressed.
Connect
Connecting members of Houston’s hospitality industry to facilitate networking, business development, and awareness of the benefits of engaging with their partner organizations.
Educate
Educating their members by providing professional and workforce development tools to help them generate revenue and improve business operations.
HISTORY
The Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GHCVB) became an independent organization dedicated to supporting Houston’s hospitality and tourism industry.
The GHCVB is now known as the Houston Hospitality Alliance (HHA). The 501 (c) (6) organization is led by a board of directors chaired by Connie L. Cochran.
Operationally, HHA is focused on advocacy for Houston’s hospitality industry at the local, state and national levels.
Its unique structure will also help strengthen ties with other industry-related associations in Houston, including the Hotel Lodging Association of Greater Houston and the Greater Houston Restaurant Association.
PARTNERS
City of Houston Harris County Houston First Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston Greater Houston Partnership Texas Restaurant Association- Greater Houston Chapter Texas Travel Alliance
POSITION:
The Executive Director of the Houston Hospitality Alliance (HHA) leads a trade association of 75+member organizations, advancing Houston’s hospitality and tourism industry as the chief executive on a contract basis. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director drives HHA’s mission through strategic leadership, local advocacy, member engagement, financial oversight, and team management. Key responsibilities include shaping HHA’s vision, advocating for industry-friendly policies, delivering value to member organizations, securing revenue, and fostering an inclusive community in one of America’s most vibrant hospitality hubs.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Executive Director serves as HHA’s chief executive, guiding a dynamic and expanding membership base—currently 75+ organizations—to strengthen Houston’s hospitality and tourism sector. This contract role champions advocacy, connectivity, and innovation, collaborating with the board to deliver impact.
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
- Partner with the Board of Directors to define HHA’s vision and priorities, aligning with the needs of member organizations;
- Develop and execute annual goals to elevate HHA’s influence in Houston’s hospitality industry;
- Achieve measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tied to membership growth, advocacy impact, and financial health, ensuring accountability to board expectations;
- Track strategic initiatives, adapting to industry trends and member organization feedback.
ADVOCACY AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS
- Lead local advocacy with city officials and stakeholders to promote policies benefiting hospitality and tourism;
- Build relationships with government, business, and community groups to amplify HHA’s voice;
- Represent HHA at industry events, trade meetings, and public forums to advance member organization interests;
- Support state-level advocacy through partnerships, prioritizing local Houston issues.
MEMBER ENGAGEMENT
- Oversee programs to recruit, retain, and engage member organizations, delivering networking events, workshops, and resources that add value;
- Foster community among member organizations, encouraging participation in advocacy and professional development;
- Use member organization feedback to shape priorities, addressing diverse needs of hotels, restaurants, arts groups, and venues;
- Promote diversity and inclusion in all activities, reflecting Houston’s multicultural hospitality landscape.
FINANCIAL & ENTREPRENEURIAL MANAGEMENT
- Drive innovative programs and partnerships to enhance HHA’s brand and value for member organizations;
- Diversify revenue through grants, sponsorships, and creative events, ensuring long-term financial sustainability;
- Oversee financial strategy with transparent reporting, aligning fiscal decisions with HHA’s mission.
ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT
- Supervise a small team, which includes an external association management company, ensuring seamless execution of programs and communications;
- Develop and manage budgets, securing sponsorships and revenue-generating events for financial sustainability;
- Pursue partnerships to enhance member organization benefits (e.g., newsletters, educational content);
- Ensure compliance with legal and governance requirements, maintaining transparency under board guidance.
QUALIFICATIONS:
EXPERIENCE: 10+ years of leadership experience in hospitality, tourism, or non-profit, or trade associations, with a proven track record in advocacy, member engagement, and strategic partnerships. Candidates with entrepreneurial backgrounds or military leadership experience are encouraged to apply.
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in hospitality, business, communications, political science, or a related field; advanced degree a plus.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Strategic thinker with the ability to set and execute a clear vision for a boutique trade association;
Strong relationship-builder, adept at fostering partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including government, industry leaders, and community groups;
Financial acumen, with experience managing budgets and securing revenue through sponsorships or events;
Exceptional communication skills (oral, written, and listening) to represent HHA dynamically in public and professional settings;
Collaborative leader with a positive, motivating attitude and proficiency in Microsoft Office and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Familiarity with Houston’s hospitality industry; ASAE Certified Association Executive (CAE) or similar credentials a plus but not required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The Executive Director operates in a hybrid work environment, blending remote flexibility with in-person presence in Houston for meetings, events, and stakeholder engagements. The role requires travel and flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, to support HHA’s active community presence. Based in Houston, the position offers a unique opportunity to lead a vital industry in a dynamic, multicultural city. The work setting is a standard office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature, and air conditioning.
LOCATION:
Houston is a vibrant, opportunity-rich city that blends global sophistication with a warm, welcoming lifestyle—making it an appealing choice for individuals and families considering relocation. As the fourth-largest city in the U.S., Houston offers a strong, diverse economy powered by major industries such as energy, healthcare, aerospace, technology, and global logistics. With the world-renowned Texas Medical Center and NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the region continues to drive innovation, research, and high-quality career opportunities—all paired with a comparatively affordable cost of living.
One of Houston’s greatest strengths is its cultural and culinary diversity. The city is home to a nationally recognized Museum District, a thriving Theater District, and a food scene that spans global flavors—from Gulf Coast seafood and classic Texas BBQ to Vietnamese, Mexican, Nigerian, and Middle Eastern cuisine. Sports enthusiasts will find plenty to cheer for, with professional teams like the Houston Texans (NFL), Houston Astros (MLB), Houston Rockets (NBA), Houston Dash (NWSL), and Houston Dynamo (MLS) providing year-round excitement and community pride.
For outdoor lovers, Houston offers abundant green space, including Hermann Park, Buffalo Bayou Park, and Memorial Park—plus miles of hike-and-bike trails and revitalized bayou paths. Families benefit from a range of strong public, private, and charter schools, as well as leading universities such as Rice University and the University of Houston.
Transportation continues to expand through METRORail, improved bus networks, and two major airports that make domestic and international travel convenient.
Altogether, Houston combines economic opportunity, cultural richness, diverse neighborhoods, accessible education, and ample recreation—creating an environment where newcomers can build a thriving, connected, and fulfilling life. It’s a city rooted in resilience and growth, offering both stability and exciting possibilities for the future.
INTERVIEW PROCESS:
ZRG provides our global Clients with a rigorous and patented assessment platform grounded in data and analytics. Our interview process includes the following:
1. Initial interviews with ZRG
2. ZRG presentation of candidates to Client for calibration and discussion; Client selects candidates for consideration and initial interviews
3. Candidates complete ZRG’s on-line assessment
4. Finalist candidates advance to second and third round interviews with broader leadership team
5. Formal referencing
6. Offer extended
ABOUT ZRG PARTNERS:
ZRG is a global talent advisory firm that is changing the way companies hire and manage talent. ZRG’s data-driven approach to executive and professional search has been changing the way clients think about how to find top talent. The company’s digital Zi platform combines talent intelligence, candidate insights, and process improvement to dramatically deliver executive searches quicker and with proven better results.
Dakota Doman
Managing Director
ddoman@zrgpartners.com
Dakota Doman is a dynamic and visionary executive with more than 15 years of leadership experience spanning higher education administration, executive search, organizational strategy, and governmental affairs. He is a Managing Director in ZRG’s Education Practice, bringing a comprehensive perspective on leadership needs within academic institutions, especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Before ZRG, Dakota was the President and Managing Principal of TM2 Executive Search, the only search firm founded to provide executive talent solutions to HBCUs, where his work focused on inclusive leadership recruitment, strategic talent pipelines, and governance transformation, contributing to successful placements in C-suite and senior academic roles across the country
Link to complete bio for Dakota Doman.
Jerel Booker
Principal
jbooker@zrgpartners.com
Jerel Booker is a seasoned executive specializing in talent strategy, organizational growth, and executive search, with over two decades of leadership experience across higher education, K–12, and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, he served as Associate Managing Principal and Chief Operating Officer at TM² Executive Search, where he conducted national executive searches and oversaw enterprise operations - aligning people, processes, and performance to drive organizational growth and client impact.
Link to complete bio for Jerel Booker.
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