Q: What made you become interested in the hospitality industry?
I began my hospitality career as a busboy – who also did room service at a
hotel in Pocatello, Idaho. As you can imagine, the 151 room hotel was, as they
say, the only game in town. Soon I found myself at the front desk and then
moved to the night audit.
After high school I moved to the big city – Salt Lake City. Of course, for
me, any city was the big city. I worked as an auditor while I put myself
through college. As any person just out of college I was looking to begin my
career. The sideline was an assistant front office manager job at the hotel
where I was currently working. Not long after that I was transferred to
California as the Front Office Manager for a golf resort — this is where I
learned that golf was truly not my game! Then I moved into the Director of
Rooms position for three hotels, and then became General Manager (GM) of the
Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, working with a team that was
incredible in every aspect. I’ve also had the opportunity to stretch even
further, becoming a member of the Sheraton General Managers Advisory Council,
and most recently, being promoted to GM of the Sheraton Waikiki Resort.
Q: What characteristics do you think are most important for a GM?
The ability to connect with people at all levels and to inspire passion
and greatness within others. When you combine these two characteristics,
you will be unstoppable.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a
GM?
Work hard, listen to your team, inspire them to excellence and drive your
results – becoming a GM is more than just a title, it truly is a way of life
and it comes through knowledge and experience. Don’t rush into the job to
get the title — you will be doing yourself and your team a disservice.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working in a hotel?
The interactions that take place with my team, our customers and potential
clients. I love my daily walks in the hotel where I can stop and talk to
associates about how things are going or to customers regarding their stay.
But most of all I love to interact with potential customers — I feel like a
proud papa bragging about my kids.
