JQH’s David Scott Receives Hilton Worldwide’s Top Honor with CEO Light & Warmth Award

John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) today announced one of its brightest stars, David Scott, has received the 2014 CEO Light & Warmth Award, Hilton Worldwide’s highest accolade for any Team Member. Scott serves as director of sales at the 257-suite Embassy Suites Omaha – La Vista / Hotel & Conference Center in Nebraska, which he helped to open in 2008. The hotel was ranked as the number one Embassy Suites hotel in the world in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Springfield, Mo.-based JQH is the largest private, independent owner and manager of hotels in the United States.

John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts' (JQH) David Scott has received the 2014 CEO Light & Warmth Award, Hilton Worldwide's highest accolade for any Team Member. Scott serves as director of sales at JQH's 257-suite Embassy Suites Omaha - La Vista / Hotel & Conference Center in Nebraska. The award recognizes those exceptional Team Members who embody Hilton Worldwide's six Values of Hospitality, Integrity, Leadership, Teamwork, Ownership and Now. A 12-year veteran of JQH, Scott was one of 12 winners of this year's award ultimately chosen by Hilton Worldwide President & CEO Christopher J. Nassetta. (Photo: Business Wire)

The CEO Light & Warmth Award recognizes those exceptional Team Members who embody Hilton Worldwide’s six Values of Hospitality, Integrity, Leadership, Teamwork, Ownership and Now. A 12-year veteran of JQH, Scott was one of 12 winners of this year’s award ultimately chosen by Hilton Worldwide President & CEO Christopher J. Nassetta. In 2014, more than 2,000 Team Members from around the world were nominated by their colleagues, and finalists were selected by a committee with representatives from across the company. As a part of this honor, Scott received a $10,000 check, trophy and special celebration.

“I’m honored to accept this prestigious recognition,” Scott said. “I appreciate working in an inspirational environment where values are truly respected and where you are encouraged to seek opportunities to actively live them.”

Forging Life-Changing Partnerships

Affecting the community for the good drives Scott. Whether creating an international cookbook to benefit refugees; fundraising for a local children’s hospital; or addressing community issues as a part of the Community Leadership Development Program of the Greater Omaha Chamber, Scott, originally from Australia, gets involved locally, always determined to make an impact. But the initiative he is especially proud of is leveraging real-life workplaces to provide employment training for young people with disabilities.

Scott serves as Embassy Suites Omaha – La Vista / Hotel & Conference Center’s lead advocate and communicator of the mission of Project SEARCH, which helps to develop young students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to transition them to long-term employment. The program began at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in 1996. In 2012, Scott helped to shape the property as one of the first hotel host sites for Project SEARCH, as a way to fill high turnover jobs and also to create disability awareness training. He has since instigated more internship sites in Omaha, nationwide and internationally. He heads a business advisory council that collaborates to secure permanent jobs for local graduates of the program. He has assisted in finding meaningful employment for numerous graduating students from the La Vista program and has observed graduates developing skills and self-esteem over the course of the project. He was recently invited to the White House as a Champion of Change Nominee for Disability Employment.

According to Jacquie Dowdy, JQH CEO, the Hilton Worldwide and JQH values mirror one another, cultivating a workplace environment that develops leadership skills and community responsibility.

“With a compassionate, take-charge personality, David is a prime example of a strong community leader,” Dowdy said. “He effectively delivers on our JQH mantra of serving the communities in which we work, live and play. On behalf of our nationwide JQH family, I congratulate David on a job well done!”

Located at 12520 Westport Parkway in La Vista, the Embassy Suites Omaha – La Vista / Hotel & Conference Center can be reached at (402) 331-7400. For more information, visit www.omahalavista.embassysuites.com and www.facebook.com/EmbassySuitesLaVista.

About Embassy Suites Hotels

Embassy Suites Hotels, one of Hilton Worldwide’s 12 market-leading brands, is dedicated to delivering what matters most to travelers. The full service, upscale brand offers every guest a two-room suite, free cooked-to-order breakfast and a nightly two-hour reception with complimentary drinks* and snacks. Both leisure and business travelers looking for a relaxed, yet sophisticated, experience will feel right at home with brand-standard amenities like inviting atriums and complimentary 24-hour business and fitness centers. Embassy Suites Hotels has more than 215 hotels with more than 35 in the pipeline. For more information, visit www.embassysuites.com, and connect with Embassy Suites at www.embassysuitesmediacenter.com, www.facebook.com/embassysuiteshotels and www.twitter.com/EmbassySuites.

*Service of alcohol subject to state and local laws. Must be of legal drinking age.

About Hilton Worldwide

Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information about Hilton Worldwide.

About John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts

Springfield, Mo.-based John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) is the largest private, independent owner and manager of hotels in the United States, representing brands such as: Marriott, Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Sheraton, IHG, Chateau on the Lake Resort / Spa & Convention Center, and Plaza Hotels Collection. With a portfolio of more than 75 hotels representing nearly 19,000 guest rooms/suites in 24 states, JQH’s properties are dominant in their markets. Founded on the extraordinary vision of John Q. Hammons and built on his continued legacy of excellence spanning more than 50 years, JQH has become one of the most recognized and award-winning companies in the hospitality industry. Built to be the best, John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts continues to set the standard in hospitality management and hotel development. For more information about JQH, visit the company’s website at www.jqhhotels.com or www.facebook.com/jqhhotelsresorts.

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