HSMAI Austin has started a Scholarship Fund to support students pursuing a career in Hospitality. This scholarship is in memory of Terrell William Abbott who helped jump start the HSMAI Austin Chapter.
Terrell Abbott was born in Houston, Texas, on May 24, 1977 at The Women’s Hospital of Texas. He attended Jersey Village High School and graduated from Lamar High School. He attended Tyler Junior College, Austin Community College and graduated with bachelors in History and Business Administration in May 2009 from Texas State University in San Marcos.
Terrell interrupted his college career and volunteered to serve in the United States Army from November 1996 until his honorable discharge in July 2004. While serving his country, Sergeant Terrell Abbott participated in Task Force Panther, the first force to enter a combat zone from the 82d Airborne Division in response to 9/11. Terrell was hand selected by his company commander to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During his time in the military, Sergeant Abbott served with distinction and received the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Commanding General’s Commendation, Non-Commissioned Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Parachutist Badge. Terrell transitioned out of the military and moved to Austin, Texas, in August 2004 where he resumed his college studies and worked full time. In 2009, he co-founded RegStep Technologies and SOF.WAT. In 2012, Terrell began to direct his energy and talents full time on his SOF.WAT business as it was the vehicle for his true passion and mission – to help Special Forces veterans transition out of the military into the civilian world successfully. He knew first-hand the difficulties veterans experience and wanted to build successful businesses that would value these veterans’ expertise. His passion and conviction inspired everyone he engaged. Unfortunately, Terrell’s time with us was cut short on January 22, 2014, at approximately 10:35pm in a tragic car accident on Hwy 1 just north of Southern Pines, North Carolina. Terrell will continue to inspire those he touched with his passion for the military brotherhood; his great capacity for love; endless forgiving nature; great sense of humor; his entrepreneurial spirit; collaborative nature; love of history; a proponent of the 2nd amendment; his enjoyment for film, music and golf; and, love for this “man’s best friends” – Domino and Bruno. Congratulations to our previous Terrell Abbott Scholarship Recipients
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