Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Stewart.
Hi Melissa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have had the privilege of being born in Houston and have watched the city grow and become the amazing community it is today. After graduating from the University of Houston Downtown, I continued my career in a variety of public, private, and nonprofit companies in executive leadership, operations, training, and program development, having most recently worked in the field of afterschool programming before joining the Texas Restaurant Association in 2013. My background includes a wide variety of industries and company types, ranging from a start-up to Fortune 1000 companies. Many of my jobs have included extensive domestic travel, and I am always thrilled to touch back down at IAH or Hobby. When I started with the Texas Restaurant Association, it was a great marriage of my favorite things – Houston and our amazing restaurants. My role as the Executive Director of a trade association felt like a very unusual leap from overseeing hundreds of children in multiple afterschool programs – but the skills of advocacy, problem-solving and connecting with the community were all great skills to bring with me – it also helps that I was good a corralling easily distract humans and get them to zero in on a specific task! Today I live with my husband and our daughter in the Champions area (Northwest Houston). We have four rescue dogs (Jayne, Millie, Buttercup and Vendetta) and love taking full advantage of the fabulous theatre, museum, and cultural offerings throughout the Houston area.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Early in my career, I worked as a corporate trainer. I enjoyed the performance part of being a trainer but really loved helping people get more proficient in their job, especially salespeople. Sadly corporate training is seen as a cost center – not a revenue generator, and I was laid off more than once in that role. We Trainers and other HR personnel work hard, are dedicated to doing a good job and have consistently good reviews. It is devastating to lose your position over dollars and cents. The financial challenge is what most people think of, but the emotional toll is tough to work through.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Texas Restaurant Association?
Trade associations work for their members and their industry. At the Texas Restaurant Association, we advocate for the community, our elected officials and various agencies. We work to connect our members with resources, including education, access to experts, and products designed specifically for restauranteurs. Restaurants are omnipresent in our communities and the owners have to wear many hats and react nimbly to a wide swath of challenges. I joke – that when a member calls to let me know they will miss a meeting because they have to put out a fire – it may literally be a fire that has to be put out!
What matters most to you? Why?
The work I do on behalf of our members is important, but my work to support, grow and coach my team is the most important part of my work. I have a wonderful team of three direct reports currently – and they never fail to impress me with their work ethic, creativity and amazing problem-solving superpowers. I recently joked after they pulled out a miracle – without me – while I would was off to take care of some personal business – that I’m glad they like me because they don’t need me! I take great pride in seeing each individual on our team continue to stretch outside their comfort zone and develop professionally. We are known to be the ones you can count on and are the first to raise our hand to help. Our entire association is full of great people, and that is important. We often spend more waking hours with our coworkers than our family, so it matters and makes everything – even the tough times – easier when you know you are on a great team.
Contact Info:
- Email: mstewart@txrestaurant.org
- Website: ghra.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greaterhourestassoc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TXRestAssoc
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/GHRAFoodies
