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Alumni Association Spotlight: Clarence Smith (BBA '08)

Pride Hospitality, LLC award-winning General Manager Clarence Smith is a distinguished alumnus of the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management (BBA ’08).

Upon graduation in 2008, Clarence joined Pride Hospitality, LLC of Germantown as a Senior Project Manager opening the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Portland, IN.  Clarence excelled in the Manager In Training program at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Memphis on American Way and later at the Baymont Inn & Suites in Houma, LA.

Quickly moving up in the ranks, Clarence was appointed the General Manager of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Houston-Brookhollow, TX in 2009. Clarence accepted the operational challenge of the hotel and improved guest service by 14 percent from 2009 to 2010 winning his first award for most improved guest satisfaction. In 2011 he was recognized with his second award, the most qualified Guest Loyalty Enrollments within Pride Hospitality’s portfolio of hotels.

Clarence volunteers his time for Give Kids the World in Orlando FL and enjoys spending time with his 6-year-old son, Omarion. He is an official for AAU, high school and college basketball and is a native of Tunica, MS.