Valor Hospitality Partners Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Al Luciano has been named to the Hospitality & Tourism Advisory Board at Flagler College. The Board will serve as a link between leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry and Flagler’s new major within the Sport Management Department.

Luciano, a four-plus year veteran of Valor Hospitality brings 35 years of hotel experience to the position. He began his award-winning career in both Sales & Marketing and Food & Beverage with the Hilton Hotels Corporation and held similar positions with Marriott, CVBs and meeting planning organizations as well as numerous independent hotels nationwide.

Luciano attended Flagler College and then completed his degree as a graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a HRTA Degree in Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Management.

Flagler College, located in St Augustine, Florida, recently held the inaugural meeting of its Hospitality and Tourism Advisory Board. The Board will serve as a link between leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry and Flagler’s new major within the Sport Management Department.

Forty-six students currently major in the college’s Hospitality and Tourism Management program. Program Director Dr. Zachary Cole expects that number to double this fall. Students, he said, will benefit from the new Advisory Board by gaining practical experience and professional mentorship and guidance.

“I’m extremely excited about getting this Board off the ground and running,” Cole said. “There has been a groundswell of support from community and local industry leaders. Getting that enthusiasm formalized and leveraged against all Flagler College has to offer for the benefit of our students is exhilarating.”

Valor Hospitality Partners, a hotel development and management company based in Atlanta and London that owns and operates 34 properties in the U.S., Europe, and Africa, with an additional 10 sites in various stages of negotiation, development, or construction. Sister company—PMR Hospitality Partners based in Cape Town—operates all the hotels and resorts in Africa. www.valorhospitality.com.