An Environmentalist with an Economist’s Approach
Hank Lattimore has spent the last 20 years immersed in hospitality and environmental spaces. With the combination of his academic background in economics, finance and hospitality and his history of leading teams to victory, Hank can drive results in a variety of industries and in different roles.
Hank earned his initial leadership roles in high school and collegiate sailing. In both team and solo events, he was able to achieve top finishes in state, national and international competitions. He was recruited by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy to lead one of its offshore competition boats as a freshman. This was one of the key roles that helped him adjust his strategies to effectively manage a team with more seniority and a variety of skill levels.
Hank returned to Texas and pursued a degree in economics with a minor in finance. He participated actively in business school and continued his passion for sailing. Simultaneously, he gained his spirit for entrepreneurship and working with smaller organizations. He worked in the DFW area as a sales manager for Nautique boats and coached sailing in northern California, allowing him to grow his professional network to a national and international level.
Upon graduating from college, Hank jump-started his professional career as a manager, innovator and strategic planner when he assumed a position with Allied Waste Industries (now Republic Services) in the greater Houston, TX area. He focused on the recycling components of solid waste management operations. Engaged with both plant management and transportation, Hank was successful in combining the two distinct functions into one, maximizing efficiency. Not only did it work financially, but it also expanded transportation operations to deliver better service to Allied customers such as the City of Houston, Houston ISD, and Walmart.
After talking with business leaders who were familiar with him and his skills, Hank decided to pursue a master’s in hospitality management at the University of North Texas. While there, he assisted professors and leaders in coordinating a partnership between UNT and CATIE in Costa Rica on an international sustainable tourism degree program.
Hank next joined Marriott International, where he served for more than a decade in a variety of markets and roles, overseeing budgets and developing and implementing plans to turn around poorly performing hotels. Hank’s impactful performance was noticed, and he even received an award from one ownership group for obtaining a flow thru of 280% in one year.
During the early days of COVID-19, Hank successfully pivoted when he partnered with his dad, Jim Lattimore, in the landfill and solid waste management and disposal business. Together, they have secured municipal contracts for managing solid waste disposal facilities and recently were recognized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for operating one of the cleanest landfills in the state. Hank continues to seek ways to assist others in obtaining and exceeding their goals through strategic partnerships and consulting.
Community service is important to Hank, who has been active in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program beginning in college and continuing as his job locations would allow. A Rotarian, he has been active with the Greater Fort Worth/Tarrant County Hotel Association. Over the years, he has earned both the U.S. Coast Guard OUPV License and a private pilot’s license. Hank has long competed in, and won, national and international J-80 sailboat races. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Possum Kingdom Lake Association.