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Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership

Alumni & Giving

Dorothy T. Nicholson, CHA, CHSE ('77)

President
Nicholson Interests, LLC 

Lectured April 17, 2005

Dorothy T. Nicholson has built a lengthy career in marketing, management and investing in the hospitality industry. After graduating from Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, her career began in sales and marketing for the pre-opening of a full-service independent hotel, The Houston Grand, and later the pre-opening of a high-rise, all-suite hotel—both in the highly competitive Galleria area in Houston. After moving to Dallas, she became corporate director of sales and marketing for a regional all-suite chain, which she helped evolve into the national franchise Hawthorn Suites. Her career then moved into operations and multi-property responsibilities, leading failing properties to profitability in tough market conditions.

Dorothy has participated actively in industry organizations, serving as president of the Texas Hotel Sales & Marketing Association and the Arlington Hotel Motel Association, and is a former board member of the Texas Hotel Motel Association. She holds credentials as a Certified Hotel Administrator and Certified Hotel Sales Executive.

Today, Dorothy is president of Nicholson Interests, LLC, a private investment firm providing equity and venture capital for hospitality-related concerns, real estate and fledgling start-up companies. Current portfolio holdings include partnerships in numerous brand-name hotels, retail and commercial real estate, and land-development projects. 

She is a charter investor in the Texas Women Ventures Fund, which focuses exclusively on women-owned and operated businesses. Dorothy is actively involved in the nonprofit community, including serving on the National Advisory Board for The Salvation Army; serving as the first woman elected chairman of The Salvation Army Houston Advisory Board; serving as past chairman of PARTNERS, which supports The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Nursing; serving on the Dean's Advisory Board at Hilton College; serving as past chair of the Eric Hilton Distinguished Alumni Club; volunteering with the Women's Initiative of the United Way and other volunteer activities.