Melanie Smalley (Hon. '24)
President
Spectrum Catering, Concessions & Events
Melanie Smalley has 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Her background consists of several years in the hotel/resort sales industry, most notably as a 27-year tenured Spectrum associate. Smalley was introduced to Spectrum in 1998, rising to president of the nearly $200 million dollar-a-year company, in 2002.
Smalley’s Spectrum career began modestly but it wasn't long before Spectrum experienced significant growth that she found her career experiencing the same. Smalley was given the opportunity to work with the PGA Tour on several notable projects and shortly thereafter cultivated a partnership with famed Cirque du Soleil. Both are still her primary focus, producing $35 million in annual revenue. Most recently, Smalley has been working on several experiential hospitality concepts with Netflix and their affiliates.
Smalley continues to focus on growing Spectrum's portfolio and is proud to be a part of Spectrum's industry leadership.
A native Texan, Smalley married her best friend and husband, Dave Smalley ('79). She is honored to sit on the Hilton College Dean's Advisory Board, since 2019 and, as of 2024, is a 探花视频 Honorary Alumni. The Smalley’s are proud founders of the Smalley Family/Spectrum Catering Student Leadership Experience Endowment, which pays a student's everyday living expenses, allowing them to participate in unpaid intern programs.
The Smalley’s have two grown sons, lovely daughters-in-laws and a beautiful granddaughter. In her free time, Smalley enjoys working out, reading, traveling and watching the Coogs, Astros and Texans!