John Simpson

Since he was one, John Simpson split his childhood living in Hialeah and Little Havana. There was no shortage of love but the separation of his parents, a Honduran immigrant mother and an Irish-American father, taught him to learn to deal with conflict and to appreciate the value of hard work.

John always had a knack for math and science, but somewhere along the way, he took a job at a hotel and this would define his future.

He excelled in high school academics and sports. As team captain, he led the volleyball team in multiple regional championships. He became involved in the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT), an organization he would later help lead at FIU as a senior vice president.

Even though John was accepted to UCF’s engineering program, the fondness he developed for hospitality while working in a hotel led him to FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, where he earned the Carnival Gold Scholar Scholarship and combined his love for hospitality and numbers. At FIU, he served as president of the FIU-BBC Chapter of the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA). He worked his way up to director of housekeeping at the Hilton Cabana Miami Beach, working full time while attending FIU. 

Currently, as a multi-property revenue manager for Highgate Hotels, John is responsible for analyzing and customizing rates for two hotel properties.

Hoping to inspire others, John donates two $500 scholarships to AOHT students every year.

By Lazaro Gonzalez

Associate Director, Marketing and Communications, 
Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management