2007
Joyce Christmas

2007
William (Bill) Duncan

Duncan was recognized for his work with hotel sales automation.

“Bill’s push to increase the effectiveness of sales and catering software placed the technology at a new level,” said David Berkus, a 1998 Hall of Fame inductee. “Broadening the communication between multiple properties and corporate offices via enterprise software eliminated numerous inefficiencies across the board.”

Duncan helped grow Newmarket Software Systems from a seven-person operation to a global software company employing hundreds. In 1994, he founded Daylight Software, Inc. to develop an advanced enterprise-level sales and catering software solution for the hotel industry, using integrated communications over the Internet to link hotels, call centers, corporate offices and customer sites. “It used to be that a hotel technology company could start on a boot-strap basis and become a major player,” said Duncan. “Everyone knew each other and the hotel technology heads. Software purchase decisions and license agreements were pretty unsophisticated compared to the months and years of back-and-forth required now.”

2007
Ed Hollinshead

Hollinshead was recognized for his contributions to hospitality automation systems development.

“Ed’s pioneering designs of CRT-based property management systems set the stage for all that followed,” said Jon Inge, CHTP, ISHC, a 2006 Hall of Fame recipient.

As co-founder with Jack Morgan and Jerry Freedman of Morgan International (which became Micor) in 1969 he designed the first automated room status reporting system to use a CRT display, followed by the first successful PMSs, the Micor II and Micor III, which were adopted by Marriott and Hyatt in the early-’70s. He continued to provide technical leadership and guidance at Galler Hospitality Systems, CompuSolv, HIS, Fidelio USA and RezSolutions, and as an independent consultant. “It was a very exciting time for me,” said Hollinshead regarding his early days in the industry. “The opportunity to learn about hoteliers’ ideas and needs, and filling those needs with emerging technologies was more fun than work.”

2007
Joseph A. Marko

Marko was recognized for his work in sales automation.

“Joe Marko’s contributions to hospitality technology spans 20 years in more roles than some people have in an entire career,” said Jules Sieburgh, CHTP, a 1998 Hall of Fame inductee and the HFTP International Treasurer. “He has always been a great advocate for both the end-user and the developer of hospitality systems.”

While at Sheraton, in conjunction with David Troy, VP of sales and marketing, Marko conceived, designed and implemented (with the help of many) one of the industry’s very first Sales Office Automation Projects (SOAP), introducing a high level of automation. Marko also introduced Fidelio to the Americas as founder, chairman and president of Fidelio USA. He was also influential in promoting the spread of hotel systems while at Micor and Philips Hotel Systems. “Over the 25 years that I spent in hotel technology, I certainly gave it my total dedication. It is nice to be recognized for something that you put your heart and soul into. I am very proud of the accomplishments of all of the companies I was involved with.”

2007
Bill Sullivan, CHTP

Sullivan was recognized for his expertise in hospitality systems design and operations.

“Bill Sullivan has been a true champion for hospitality technology,” said Richard Brooks, a 1997 Hall of Fame inductee. “Unlike many others, though, Bill is not a specialist. He has been a leader in hotel and restaurant, and is perhaps best known for his work with club technology. He has been a true ‘Man for all Systems’ in our industry.”

Sullivan worked for 31 years at the DuPont Co. in Wilmington, Del. where he spent considerable portions of his career in DuPont’s hospitality operations. He is now an adjunct instructor at the University of Delaware, where he teaches a Hospitality Practicum course. Sullivan is also the managing director of the Courtyard Newark at the University of Delaware and the University Conference Centers. “One of the great pleasures in my life is to teach young students and employees about how technology can be used to improve financial performance and to improve service to our guests,” said Sullivan.

2002
Roger Lane, CHAE

Roger Lane, CHAE, currently the MIS/controller at the Lago Mar Resort and Club in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. is one of the original supporters of hospitality technology. He installed one of the first property management systems at the resort he was working at, pushing the implementation of hospitality automation. He was also a very strong proponent of an annual hospitality technology show, which eventually became what is now HITEC.

2002
Richard Maloney

Richard Maloney, was a pioneer in hospitality telecommunications. As an account manager for ITT Sheraton, Maloney commanded the attention of Northern Telecom (now Nortel Networks) to focus on the opportunities available in the hospitality industry. He went to work for Northern Telecom and was able to convince the tech company to support a joint development activity with key hospitality customers, resulting in the development of a robust set of hospitality features. Breakthrough products in voice messaging, systems integration and terminal instruments (data jacks on guest room phones) were developed by Nortel and led the industry. Nortel’s products became upscale hotel standards, adopted by major hotel companies on a global basis. Maloney led Nortel’s vertical marketing group for nearly a decade. He was also a visible supporter of HFTP, HITEC and HFTP’s International Hospitality Technology Hall of Fame. Maloney retired from Nortel in 1999.

2002
Dietmar Müller-Elmau

Dietmar Müller-Elmau founded Fidelio, which developed the only non-US-based property management system that is today the standard for most international chains. The approach to software design was revolutionary for the industry and the rapid creation of the sales and distribution network on a worldwide basis was very successful.

2002
John Pignataro

John Pignataro was vice president of technology functions at Sheraton hotels in the late ’60s, the ’70s and most of the ’80s. During those years, he led a three-pronged technology effort which included centralized corporate systems, the Reservatron reservation system in 1972-73 which endured for 15 years, and implemented successful hotel systems throughout all of Sheraton’s properties worldwide. Pignataro was also instrumental in helping the IAHA Hospitality Technology Conference develop during the late ’70s and early ’80s.

2002
Robert Sanford

Robert Sanford created Hotel Information Systems (HIS), through which he was an enterprise technology pioneer. HIS was one of the first vendors to use industry standard IBM equipment such as the S/34, S/36, S/38 & AS 400 for its property management systems. This allowed international companies (such as Hilton International and Intercontinental) to provide a common platform for systems around the world, which was considered a real breakthrough. HIS was also a technology leader for many years, particularly in interfaces with various other systems. Sanford was very passionate about his products and strived to make them better.