W. Thomas Castleberry, an early developer of central reservation and distribution systems, was chosen for his three decades of dedication to the industry. Castleberry was honored at this year's HITEC Awards presentation on June 21 at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California USA. Castleberry's 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.
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.
HITEC, produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), is the most comprehensive meeting of its kind in the hospitality industry. It addresses the use of technology in the industry and brings together buyers and sellers of technology under one roof. About 4,500 hospitality executives and exhibitors from around the world are expected to attend this four-day conference and three-day exposition. In addition to hearing the industry's leading speakers, attendees receive practical information at Monday's "What to Look for" training sessions. The exposition includes companies providing technology equipment, services and products in the hospitality industry. HITEC 2006 will be held June 19-22 in Minneapolis MN. Additional information available at www.hitec.org
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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Kevin Heilbronner is the US Editor for wiredhotelier.com and hospitalitynet.org, providing streaming multimedia-content for these websites. Based outside of Washington DC, Heilbronner has worked with Hsyndicate to conduct interviews at several hospitality trade shows in the US and Europe over the last couple of years. His column and content are featured in the Hospitality Net weekly newsletter. A familiar voice in Washington, DC, Heilbronner is the stadium announcer for the NBA's Washington Wizards, WNBA's Washington Mystics and WUSA's Washington Freedom. He resides in Centreville, VA and can be reached via email: [email protected].
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