As president and chief executive officer of Houston First Corporation (HFC), Brenda Bazan provides strategic leadership for HFC, which is charged with positioning Houston as a world-class destination for business and leisure travel. HFC is also responsible for managing and operating the Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel, George R. Brown Convention Center, Miller Outdoor Theatre, Wortham Theater Center, Jones Hall, Talento Bilingue de Houston, Jones Plaza, Partnership Tower and parking garage, the Theater District Parking Garage and other smaller municipal properties. Bazan is a proven team builder and hands-on leader who, throughout her career, has focused on working cooperatively with clients, boards, management and staff. One of her favorite sayings to her colleagues is, “the future is ours to create.”
Bazan has over 35 years of financial and accounting experience, and she is recognized for her calm, steady and practical approach to problem-solving. Previously, she served as Houston First’s chief financial officer and played a key role in the 2001-2004 expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center and building of Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel. She was also a key player in the recent redevelopment of Houston’s convention campus, which included transforming the exterior of the George R. Brown Convention Center, creating the outdoor entertainment plaza called Avenida Houston, bringing retail and restaurant venues to the convention campus and partnering with a private developer to build a second headquarters hotel, the Marriott Marquis, connected to the Convention Center.
Bazan serves on the boards of the Alley Theatre, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Central Houston, Discovery Green, Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston, Houston Arts Alliance, Houston Ballet Board of Trustees, Texas Bowl and World Petroleum Congress 2020 Organizing Committee. She also serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee for the World Petroleum Congress 2020 Organizing Committee. She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, Houston Chapter of CPAs, Government Finance Officers Association, Greater Houston Partnership Executive Women’s Partnership and Phi Mu Fraternity.
Bazan is a proud mother of two children, one son and one daughter. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with family, especially her beloved granddaughter. As an avid reader, she finds great pleasure in curling up with a good book. She is an active and longtime member of Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Community Church and has volunteered in numerous ministries over the years.
Bazan received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree from Western Kentucky University and is a certified public accountant in Texas and Tennessee.
Brenda Bazan
CEO & President, Houston First Corporation
701 Avenida de las Americas, Suite 200
713.853.8201
Brenda.Bazan@houstonfirst.com
www.houstonfirst.com
