Houston -- Gerard J. "Jordy" Tollett, president and chief executive of this city's convention bureau since 1997, today announced his resignation, effective immediately.
A fixture on the city's hospitality scene for more than 20 years, Tollett came under a cloud last summer after a local television station broadcast video of Tollett drinking at local bars during lunch. Tollett claimed the drinks were Diet Cokes but nonetheless took a leave of absence.
In November, the bureau board announced it would open Tollett's position to other applicants when his contract expires, in February. He was invited to re-apply for his job.
Tollett served as director of the city's convention and entertainment facilities department before joining the bureau as its top staffer. In that former position, he oversaw operations at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Bureau chairman Doug Horn and former chairman Don Henderson will coordinate the bureau's daily operations until a new president is hired, according to a bureau statement. Tollett has agreed to serve as a consultant to the bureau until 2008.
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