Kevin Ruhman Alumni Profile

 

Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional Management (RHIM) alumnus, Kevin Ruhman graduated from the College of Human Sciences (COHS) in 1987. Today, he is the Corporate Vice President of Sales & Marketing for NewcrestImage, a hotel management company based in Dallas that owns and manages over 30 hotels including all of the major national brands. Kevin is responsible for the company's sales, marketing, revenue management, and eCommerce, as well as his team of corporate and property-based employees.

"I thoroughly enjoy leading my team to reach their goals and aspirations. I had many strong mentors at Texas Tech and during my career, and I work hard every day to be that same type of mentor and enabler to others that have chosen a hospitality career."

Kevin chose a career in hospitality management straight out of high school. The summer after his graduation he worked at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas, at which time was the largest hotel in the southwest.

"I marveled at the hotel operation and how the hotel was a 'city within a city' with restaurants, rooms, entertainment, shops, and clubs. I met several celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Tom Landry, and Reba McEntire. After all that, I was hooked on hospitality."

Kevin's aspirations led him to the College of Human Sciences, where he later received the New Achievers Award and served on the Dean's Advisory Council for many years.

"Linda Hoover has been an incredible leader of COHS through the years. She was one of my professors during my time at Texas Tech University—a true inspiration to me, and has risen to be a spectacular Dean of the College."

Kevin's daughter Rachel Ruhman recently graduated from the college with a degree in Apparel Design and Manufacturing. During her graduation ceremony, she had the honor of representing the college as Banner Bearer. After graduation, she was recruited by and joined the Dallas Cowboys organization where she leads the design and technical aspects of their women's apparel line.

Kevin would like to thank Dean Hoover and her team for laying down the foundation for himself, his daughter, and other graduates of the program.

Kevin advises those who are graduating from the Hospitality and Retail Management program to be patient and hardworking in the beginning of their hospitality profession.

"Hospitality truly rewards those who work hard and are focused on their career, regardless of your pedigree. With some focus, hard work, and provided job training, you will ramp up very quickly into a fulfilling and lucrative career."