December 2024

Everyone can enjoy the wealth of friends--Eddie Carlson

Dear Fellow WAA Members:

As we approach the end of another year, it seems fitting to take a moment to reflect on the past twelve months and the challenges and opportunities we have faced together. The world around us has been in a state of constant flux, with geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and ongoing social and environmental issues impacting our lives in profound ways.

In the face of these difficulties, we are grateful for the unwavering support of our association members. Your commitment to our mission---"Friends Keeping in Touch With Friends" and your willingness to animate it by connecting to other members keeps the WAA community vital and relevant in their lives.

Unfortunately, members are lost each year.The names and pictures of members who passed away in 2024 are presented below. You can access the obituaries, if we have located one, as well as a list of those who are deceased from 1990, here.

We also added 20 new members this year.

You can help the association to thrive by reaching out to your fellow WAA alums, staying in touch with them, hosting an area lunch, and / or by sending us group pictures (landscape) from events.

On behalf of the WAA board, Nancy Peel, Jean Spaulding Andrew Jones, Michael Horrocks, Timothy Whitehead, Richard Whaley, and Silvio Berron we wish you a joyous holiday season and a prosperous 2025 filled with peace, hope and optimism.

Sincerely,

Ray Sylvester

WAA | President

Westin years 1965-1998

In memoriam 2024

Jack Gaines, Walt Ketterling, Bill Hulett, Jose Jove, Judi Mullikin, Phil Stoy, Dan McClaskey, Carol De Lapp

Jacques Bourgeois, Bill Thomas, Fran Vitulli, Johnna Kleisner, Mike Deighton, Barbara Olstad, Bob Wilhelm

"Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and forever dear.”

Memorabilia 1954

Hospitality Industry Archives (HIA)

Phase I: FRONT Magazine project complete

How was this accomplished? WAA members, and the library systems of both the University of Houston and Washington State University contributed to this project.

100 members contributed $100 or more in 2019 to make it happen. The check held by WAA treasurer Michael Horrocks and Dr. Mark Young, was our first payment for the project.

We are happy to announce that the entire searchable Westin collection of FRONT Magazines is available for your perusal.

Phase II: your help needed

We want to subsidize the staffing of the Hospitality Industry Archives (HIA) over a two-semester period so that a graduate student from the UH History Department's Center for Public History would organize the collection and create a finding aid as well as determine what preservation work needs to be conducted on all aspects of the collection.

Again, we are asking for you financial support to complete this second phase of the Westin Archival Collection.

Laughter is strong medicine. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hope, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. It also helps you release anger and forgive sooner.

Stay Connected

The Westin Alumni Facebook closed group page has over 675 members who are viewing news about WAA members, the Company's history, and its properties along with posts about the current hospitality industry. Anyone who worked for the Company and its subsidiaries between 1930 and 1998 for three or more years. Vetting includes answering a few questions.

Contribute to the Westin Collection

Spring cleaning and more stuff on the way to the University of Houston's Hospitality Industry Archives (HIA).

If you would like to make a contribution to the Westin Collection let me know at ray.sylvester@sbcglobal.net and I will provide your with the pertinent information.

What are we most in need of? FRONT Magazines, Conference group photos, marketing materials including rack brochures, advertisements.

Grateful! WAA would not function without them

Larry Dustin has faithfully dedicated his volunteer contribution to WAA by maintaining the membership roster, and tracking the passing of members. He has been doing so for 35 years!

Michael Horrocks, WAA''s volunteer treasurer, was a controller for Westin and other hospitality companies. He has managed the accounting function for many years.

Catching up with our amigo and board member in Mexico

Name: Silvio Berron

Spouse: Laura / children: Laksmi & Diana / grandchildren: Sofia, Zoe & Mateo.

Where do you live: Queretaro, Mexico.

What years you were with Westin: From 1979 to 1995.

What was you first job with Westin: Front Desk typist.

What was your last job with Westin: Corporate Director of Sales

What did you do after you left Westin: I was in other hotel companies within the Tourism sector such as: Grupo Posadas, Aeromexico, Group RCI, Melia, Starwood & Marriott, holding corporate positions mainly within the commercial area and Hotel Operations, until I decided to retire in July 2019.

What are you reading now: Origin (Dan Brown)

What s your idea of a perfect day: Any day shared with my loved ones it’s a perfect day, for me.