Houston First Corporation announced the retirement of Dawn Ullrich, its President & CEO. Ullrich, a veteran of the City of Houston’s Legal and Convention & Entertainment Facilities Departments, held the position since 2011. Houston First Chairperson David Mincberg, an appointee of Mayor Sylvester Turner, thanked Ullrich for her dedication and service.
Ullrich’s tenure included the 2017 Super Bowl, an extensive renovation of the George R. Brown Convention Center, the debut of the Marriott Marquis 
Houston, landmark tourism initiatives, and numerous conventions and performing arts performances.
Houston First Corporation is expected to announce a new President & CEO soon as part of an overall drive to make its operations more forward-looking and efficient. New leadership will face challenges stemming from the recovery of the Houston Theater District from Hurricane Harvey and maintaining Houston’s momentum in the convention and leisure-tourism market.
“Houston competes well for national conventions and tourism dollars, however our competition from other cities never fades,” Mincberg said. “Accordingly, the board will select a new leader for Houston First dedicated to making our corporation’s name their mission: Putting Houston in first place and keeping it there.”
Houston First Corporation operates the city’s finest convention and performing arts facilities to position Houston as a world-class destination. Houston First owns Hilton Americas-Houston and manages 11 city-owned buildings, plazas and parking facilities. Properties include the George R. Brown Convention Center, Miller Outdoor Theatre, Wortham Center and Jones Hall for the Performing Arts.
