AUSTIN, TEXAS -- Two hospitality technology pioneers, both developers of first-generation management systems, were selected for induction into the HFTP International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame. David Burroughs, a property management system pioneer, and W. Thomas Castleberry, an early developer of central reservation and distribution systems, were chosen for their three decades of dedication to the industry. Both Burroughs and Castleberry will be honored at this year's HITEC Awards presentation on June 21 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California USA. HITEC 2005 will be held June 20-23 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Burroughs is currently president of Visual One Systems, an international company that produces PMS, POS, sales and catering, and accounting modules for the hospitality industry. Burroughs' hospitality technology career has spanned for over 30 years, starting in 1969 when he installed Marriott's first hotel-based computer system. Following the installation, he programmed a front desk system which he carried to various computer companies to find backing for it. He subsequently became a vice president of Sigma Data Computing which marketed the system as Datahost which was installed around the world in over 200 hotels. In 1977, Burroughs founded National Guest Systems Corp. and developed the first integrated hotel PMS and restaurant POS system. In 1983 he introduced his third generation system based on the microcomputer called Innstar. In 1992, Burroughs began work on his fourth generation relational database PMS called IS4, and in 1996 work began to create an all-in-one system called Visual One.

"I know many of the members in the HFTP Hall of Fame and I am honored to be included in their company," said Burroughs.

Castleberry is currently chairman of the board for El Dorado Computing, a medical claims processing company. His career in hospitality technology began in 1972 as president of Micor, Inc., a subsidiary of Ramada Inns, that developed a central reservation system called INFO 2001 and the MICOR property management system. In 1979 he started Anasazi, which developed central reservation system software and engineered intelligent property terminals. Anasazi, which at the time also produced credit card authorization systems, was bought by Visa in 1983. Castleberry bought back Anasazi in 1987, and during that time the company helped form, develop, implement and operate the THISCO switch and deliver central reservation systems to major chains. In 1993, Anasazi was again bought out by First Data Corp. Castleberry returned in 1995 as CEO in a leveraged buyout. Anasazi grew to $60 million by 1997 when it merged with UTELL a subsidiary of Reed-Elsivier to form REZsolutions, a $160 million business, where he served as CEO and vice-chairman. REZsolutions was acquired by Pegasus Solutions (formerly THISCO) in 2000. Castleberry's start-up had evolved into a fully-integrated company offering global hotel reservations and distribution systems.

Technology Hall of Fame members include such industry pioneers as: Robert S. Bennett; David Berkus; Richard Brooks, CHA; John Cahill, CHTP, CHA; Larry Chervenak, CHAE; John Davis III; Raymond C. Ellis, Jr., CHTP, CHE, CLSD; Scott Heintzeman; Robert Horgan; Ted Horner; ;Michael Kasavana, Ph.D., CHTP; Carrol Lund; Richard Moore, CDP; Jack Morgan; Richard Nauman; William Oates; Eric Orkin; Raymond Schultz; Penelope Sellers; Jules Sieburgh, CHTP; Richard Siegel; Sal Spano, CHAE, CHA; James Yoakum; and George Zugmier.

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 technology personnel working in hotels, resorts, clubs, casinos, restaurants and other hospitality-related businesses. The association provides continuing education and networking opportunities to more than 4,300 members around the world, and produces the premiere hospitality technology shows HITEC and ONHTEC. 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 Hotel Accountants.

HFTP® , HITEC® and ONHTEC® are registered service marks of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals.

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