Founding member - The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, founder - Capella Hotel Group

Horst Schulze, a founding member of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, set a new standard of excellence in the hospitality industry. Under his leadership, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company became the first service company to twice receive the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Later in his career, Horst founded the award-winning Capella Hotel Group. His first book, entitled “Excellence Wins”, was published in 2019 and sold over 100,000 copies. In 2022, Auburn University named its school of hospitality after Horst. His principles have redefined the concepts of excellence, service and hospitality in all areas.