Q: When and how did you get into the hospitality business?
After years practicing law, I was looking to do something different. My
sister and I had always talked about opening a restaurant, and to become
familiar with the industry, I signed up for a six week hospitality course,
which in addition to being interesting landed me a job at the front office at
the Chicago Hilton and Towers. I loved it, and decided that hotels, not
restaurants, were going to be my future.
Q: What has been your progression through Starwood?
I’d say pretty rapid. After 18 months at the Tremont and Raphael
Hotels, I was promoted to Rooms Manager at the Sheraton Chicago
Northwest, which was then known as the Sheraton Arlington Heights. And then
later that year I was promoted to General Manager. The year after
that I transferred to the Sheraton Gateway Suites O’Hare as General
Manager. At that stage, Sheraton Chicago asked me to become their Director of
Six Sigma, and I signed on and stayed there for two years, and then, wanting to
return to operations, I became the Director of Rooms for the Sheraton
Chicago.
Q: Your title is Director of Rooms, but what does that entail?
I oversee the Front Office, Housekeeping, Laundry, Bell Services, Security
and several smaller departments. I interact with guests regularly and work with
my teams to ensure we are providing the quality of service Sheraton guests
expect.
Q: What is your favorite thing about working for Starwood?
Starwood’s willingness to take risks, to try new things, and their
ability to embrace change. The information and cross-company communication is
phenomenal.
