President & CEO
On-Site Partners, Inc.

Current Chair of Eric's Club
Lectured April 14, 2016

A native of Orange, Texas, young Sharmagne Jenkins first glimpsed the hospitality industry through a broad lens. Her single mother, Lois, fortunate to have been afforded a college education and advanced professional degree, moved with her and Sharmagne’s sister, Alonna-Chell, to Cincinnati, Ohio, in the early 1970s for a better life.

When her sister went off to college, Sharmagne traveled on business trips and moved to seven different cities with her mom, experiencing historic hotels like the Muehlebach in Kansas City and sampling fine cuisine in their restaurants. In those days, the housekeepers did double duty as babysitters, and Sharmagne toured the suites and facilities, a captive audience, as they went about their daily chores. Her interest in hospitality was re-ignited in 1982 when she read an article in Black Enterprise magazine about careers in the industry. Her mom had recently been transferred to Houston, and Sharmagne, contemplating her next move, decided to check out Hilton College. It was there she found her calling and the rest is her story.

Sharmagne Taylor, CMP, is now president and CEO of On-Site Partners, Inc. Established in 1998, On-Site Partners, Inc., is a full-service meeting consulting firm providing technology solutions for attendees and housing and event-logistics management for large meetings and events hosted by professional and trade associations, corporations and community organizations. Prior to starting her own firm, Sharmagne worked for 15 years in hotel operations, sales and convention services, primarily with Hyatt and Hilton.

She is a 1986 graduate of Hilton College, where she is currently a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board. In 2003, she completed the Community Minority Business Advancement Program offered by The University of Texas McCombs School of Business.

On-Site Partners was the 2012 recipient of the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council’s prestigious E-10 Award, the 2012 U.S. Small Business Administration’s Director’s Award, the 2008 recipient of the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award in Hospitality and the 2008 Houston Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Supplier of the Year Award.

Sharmagne’s passion is creating opportunities for the next generation of hospitality students and breaking down barriers to success for fledgling entrepreneurs—particularly small firms owned by minorities, women and disabled veterans. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Mu Kappa Omega Chapter, a life member of Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity, Inc., and a volunteer with the Houston Area Urban League Guild, Bread of Life, Inc. and Sam Houston Area Council of Boy Scouts of America.

Sharmagne and her husband, Charles, have been married for 30 years and have two adult children—Evan, a media technology and public relations professional, and Barry, a college senior studying mechanical engineering.