Jackye Alton, a Little Rock, AR, native, initiated her pursuit of higher education at Fisk University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her aim for academic proficiency didn’t stop in Nashville, TN, as she went on to earn a Master’s degree in Education from Howard University. An obvious proponent of scholastic achievement, Alton began her professional career by focusing her talents in elementary education in Washington, D.C. After relocating to Houston, she continued this career as an instructor in the education department at Texas Southern University.
Upon completion of Wellesley College’s Travel Counselor Certification, Alton reached for the entrepreneurial stars, launching Almeda Travel in partnership with her late husband, Dr. Washington I. Alton. Founded in June 1977, Almeda Travel enjoys the esteemed designation as the second largest African-American owned travel agency in the United States today, and was an associate of the distinguished Leaders Group of Carlson Wagonlit Travel. Presently, Almeda Travel is an associate of the Travel Leaders Group. As the President and CEO of Almeda Travel, Alton oversees the management of all government, corporate, and leisure travel operations nationwide. She credits her long-running success to a commitment to superlative service.
Her professional relationships are numerous. She is a current Board Member and immediate past President of the Society of Government Professionals, an organization whose thrust is the National Forum for the $70 Billion Government Travel Market. In 2005, she was cited “Person of the Year” by this entity. For five years, this business owner held an engagement with the US House of Representatives Travel and Tourism Caucus. Alton has also tirelessly served in a member capacity on the Board of Directors for the Houston Convention Visitors Bureau, Institute for the Association of Travel Agents, and Houston Executive Women in Travel.
Since perseverance and success rarely go without recognition, the accolades this business owner has received rival her affiliations:
- UNCF Community Sponsor Support Award
- Best Travel Agency Leisure Sponsor Support Award
- Top Ladies of Distinction Travel Agency Award
- S. Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus Service Award
- Inter-American Travel Agents Presidents Award
Furthermore, her travel industry triumphs have been trumpeted by the Governor of Louisiana and the Louisiana House of Representatives, as well as the Virgin Islands’ Hotel Associations, just to name a few.
Alton is not only immersed in business, but she is a stronghold in the community. In addition to being a Life Member of both Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the NAACP, she is past President of the Houston Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and member of Board of Trustees at Fisk University.
This travel industry entrepreneurial executive attends Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. Alton is the proud mother of Kimberley Alton Calhoun of Washington, D.C. and Rey Alton of Houston, TX. She is also the proud grandmother of three grandchildren.
Jackye Alton
President
Almeda Travel
450 Meyerland Plaza Mall
Houston, TX 77096
713-592-8000
www.almedatravel.com
