March 1, 2015

David Scott has been named Recipient of the 2014 CEO Light & Warmth Award at Hilton Worldwide

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. 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. 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!”

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