THLA 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award

Lasting Impact

This award is given annually to one or two Texas hoteliers who have demonstrated a lifetime of leadership and service within the Texas lodging industry.

The award recognizes individuals with an exceptional ability to conduct themselves with integrity, ethics and professionalism throughout their career, and whose initiatives have also served to benefit the community at large. 

Recipients are chosen based on their record of superlative leadership, ability to expertly guide their professional organizations; their extensive knowledge and ability to offer innovative ideas, practices and technologies that positively impacted the industry; and their record of making a lasting impact on the hospitality industry through their initiatives and mentoring of others in the field.   

Paul Schultz

Paul was one of two 2024 THLA Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. The Texas Hotel & Lodging Association’s leadership chose Paul for this honor for his unparalleled leadership in every aspect of the lodging and hospitality industry. Paul has served for over 20 years on the state hotel association board, including as the Chairman of the 70-member TH&LA Board, Chairman of the THLA Educational Foundation, and Chairman of the THLA Short Course.

Paul has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to promoting opportunities within the hotel industry through industry partnerships with area high schools, mentorship of hospitality educators, and through support of college and university hospitality training programs.

He has truly led by example in inspiring young students about the potential opportunities for careers within the lodging and hospitality industry.

Paul’s recognition for this Lifetime Achievement Award also reflects his stewardship of emergency resources during hurricanes and other natural disasters, which have necessitated the use of the San Luis and other Landry’s properties as emergency centers for displaced citizens and visitors.

Theresa Elliott

Theresa was chosen for this honor by the leadership of THLA for her years of dedication to excellance in the lodging and hospitaltiy industry. Theresa’s tireless leadership in advocacy on behalf of the lodging industry and the impact her leadership has had on the industry is beyond compare. 

Theresa  has served for over 30 years on the state hotel association board, including service as the past Chairman of the  Board, Executive Committe member, and beyond. Her counsel on issues facing our trade assocation throughout the years is invaluable. 

Paul and Theresa’s selection for this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award will be memorialized with their name’s being permanently inscribed onto a brass plaque that is situated at the entry to the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association headquarters in Austin, Texas. 

The Texas Hotel & Lodging Association over the last 12 years has recognized the following hotel industry leaders:

• • Doug M. Horn – 2012
  • Barron Hobbs – 2013
  • Richard Cane – 2014
  • Joseph N. DePalma, Sr. – 2015
  • Terri Dolan – 2016
  • Angelo Lombardi – 2017
  • Ron Sanders – 2018
  • Jags Patel – 2019
  • 2020 & 2021 – no award was given out due to the pandemic
  • John Longstreet – 2022
  • William F. Kirk – 2023
  • Paul J. Schultz – 2024
  • Theresa Elliott – 2024