Agnes L. DeFranco is a Full Professor and the Conrad N. Hilton Distinguished Chair at the University of Houston. She has authored and co-authored over 120 academic refereed articles, a number of non-refereed publications, and six textbooks. Some of her grants include a Department of State USIA research grant on Curriculum Development in International Convention and Conference Management at Meio University in Okinawa, Japan, three USDA Cochran Programs on Restaurant Management, and a number of student success and educational development grants with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Agnes is a past global president of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), past treasurer of the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (I-CHRIE), and past presidents for Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Delta, both honor societies at the University of Houston. Currently, amongst her volunteer work, she serves as a member of the Global Finance Committee of HFTP, revising the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry.