AUSTIN-Texas—Hyatt Regency Austin, located on the shores of Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, has announced that its security representative, Earl Smith, has been invited to attend the State of the Union address on Tuesday, Jan. 12. Smith will be seated in the private guest box of First Lady Michelle Obama, along with Dr. Jill Biden, and Valerie Jarrett, senior advisor to the president.
Smith first met President Barack Obama when the then-senator was campaigning in Texas in 2008 and stayed at Hyatt Regency Austin. Smith met Obama in an elevator and gave the senator a military patch from his time served in Vietnam as part of the 101st Airborne Division. After holding onto the patch for more than 40 years, Smith presented the patch to Obama as a token of good luck to keep him safe on his journey as he continued on the campaign trail. The president carried the patch in his pocket for the rest of the campaign, and later invited Smith to the Oval Office to tell him how the patch and his story had impacted him.
“We are very proud of Mr. Smith and the profound impact he has made on not only the President of the United States but to everyone who has heard his incredible story,” said Michael Murphy, general manager at Hyatt Regency Austin. “Mr. Smith continuously demonstrates true compassion and care for each guest who stays at the hotel, and strives to make a difference in the lives of everyone he meets. He is a true example of Hyatt’s core value of caring for people so they can be their best, and we are honored to have such remarkable person as part of our team.”
Smith has worked in the hotel industry for more than 40 years. He began his career as a room attendant cleaning rooms and sorting guest room sheets and towels. He worked his way up to management positions and was hired as the hotel assistant manager at Hyatt Regency Austin in 1998. He has worked in the security department since that time holding a number of positions including security director. Smith recently received the 2015 Hyatt Regency Icon Award, an award which recognizes outstanding individuals within the hotel. He was also honored with the 2015 Austin Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Carl McKee Hospitality Person of the Year Award, which honors the best in hospitality and service throughout the Austin-area.
