HTM Alumni Profiles - L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and

Transcription

May 2012
Our vision is to be the
most personalized school of its kind in
developing hospitality leaders.
HTM Alumni Profiles
HTM ALUMNI ARE ONE OF A KIND.
HTM ALUMNI ARE GOING PLACES.
HTM ALUMNI VALUE THEIR PEERS.
HTM ALUMNI PRACTICE LEADERSHIP.
HTM ALUMNI WORK ALL OVER THE WORLD.
HTM ALUMNI MAKE GREAT MENTORS.
HTM ALUMNI KNOW HOW TO NETWORK.
HTM ALUMNI GET THE JOB DONE.
HTM ALUMNI TAKE CHARGE AND LEAD.
MATT TURNER
ANNE VIEIRA
Right after graduation I started
working at the Four Seasons Resort
Aviara as a Spa Coordinator. I
worked there for 6 years going
through the management ranks
from Spa Coordinator, Assistant
Spa Manager, Spa Operations
Manager, up to Spa Director.
While in school, I completed my first internship with the front desk at the Manchester Grand
Hyatt. After having my fill of the front office, I accepted an internship with the Resort at
Pelican Hill and worked in their staffing department. It was quite the opportunity to be on
the opening team for a luxury resort. Following graduation in December 2008, I spent four
months in South America studying Spanish in different schools and cities. I also immersed
myself in the culture through living with families and taking small side trips. After, I joined
Hyatt again as a Sales Corporate Management Trainee at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.
After spending 8 months there, I transferred as a Meeting Connections Manager to the Hyatt
Regency Newport Beach.
Now I’m the Spa Director at the
Four Seasons Hotel Denver.
Any advice for current
students in the HTM Program?
I am currently a Meeting Connections Manager at the Hyatt
Regency Newport Beach. I sell to groups that require 10-30
rooms on a peak night.
Any advice for current students in the HTM Program?
Have fun and stay connected with
the other students in the program,
as this is the best industry for
exchanging connections for
traveling, restaurants, and hotels.
Your career will be the best thing that has ever happened to you.
But, live life while you are still in school, because the pressure
that you feel at this time is nothing compared to the pressure of
your boss and team that are constantly depending on you.
What is your fondest memory
of your time as an HTM
student?
My fondest memory as an HTM student would have to be the
times that I spent with my groups outside of the classroom.
Being in the HTM program never felt like being in school
because the people that you work with are so much fun. We
always turned a project meeting into something fun.
The trip to New York that was
sponsored by the National
Restaurant Association.
What is your fondest memory of your time as an HTM
Student?
JEFF WHITING
I've worked for a handful of companies including the Four Seasons Resorts, Outback
Steakhouse, Pat & Oscar’s Restaurants, Whiting’s Foods, and Cox Arena.
I am currently the General Manager & Co-founder of WAVES for Success. Here at
WAVES, we focus on coaching businesses and their management on different techniques,
tips, solutions, and strategies that are necessary for getting a teenage workforce engaged
in the workplace. We do this through speaking, consulting, WAVES University, and our
line of products which includes a 5-disk DVD training program.
Take advantage of any opportunity to act outside your comfort
zone, meet (and maintain contact) with as many people as you can,
and always act in a manner that exceeds peoples expectations.
student?
Several come to mind—all the time spent learning outside of the
class room, meeting and interacting with industry professionals, as
well as how Carl and staff always made themselves available. This
program was unlike any other program SDSU had to offer, and I
feel very lucky to have chosen it when I did. Keep up all the great
work HTM!
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STEPHANIE
TVELIA
After graduation, I started
working for Preferred Hotel
Group. This July I will have been
with them for 5 years. I am the
Senior Manager of Meetings &
Events. Our department oversees
200 events a year, including
networking events, tradeshows,
and conferences. I travel over 50%
of the time both domestically and
internationally.
ZACHARY PARKER
After deciding that the traditional “hotel” path wasn’t for me I took off around the world
with my best friend, Taylor Paul. We went on a surfing trip for 7 months that led me into
my first business. Walu International was started as an MBA project to improve the
hygiene and sanitary conditions in the coastal communities of Papua New Guinea. We
have been working on toilet and hand-washing station projects in the village over the past
couple of years and although it is a slow process, it is really rewarding. Our “Give A Crap”
campaign was nominated as a top-25 awareness campaign by a charity in the USA.
One of our big donors to Walu International, who is an ex-Facebook engineer, moved me
up to Northern California in September of 2011 to work on an Internet startup. He liked
what I had done with Walu International and he invested in our early-stage startup,
ishBowl.com. It is a video discovery platform for the thrill-seeking community (think
Instagram for action/extreme sports videos). We saw that this market was wide open and
we are looking to be the dominant player in action/extreme sports online video. Or as we
like to say, “some next level -ish.”
Any advice for current students in the HTM Program or for those who are
about to graduate?
As hard as it may be, you should listen to Carl and Brian about what they are preaching.
“Networking” is by far the most valuable skill that you should be working on while at
school. You won’t get a great job out of college because you have a degree. You will get a
great job because you know how to infiltrate different networks.
Advice for current students would
be to do as many internships as
you can and to study abroad. I
wanted to do corporate events so I
interned in every other area of
events to ensure corporate events
was my passion. To students who
are about to graduate, if you are
having trouble finding a job right
away, travel abroad for global
experience and then get a job
anywhere in the industry and
work your way up.
My fondest memory of HTM is
working with Katie Webb, Kasey
Aceituno, and Rochelle Deems on
our group project in Mark Testa’s
class. Mark didn’t think our class
was motivated enough to go above
and beyond and so he offered the
winning team an A for the semester and no final. We won.
What is your fondest memory of your time as an HTM Student?
I would have to say that Mike Corr’s class always had me laughing. That guy is a complete
legend and he would always have the room chuckling. I also really like how he had the
real world experience that we could learn from.
I also remember Carl always trying to push me because I was just a “surf bum.” I think at
the time I was really frustrated that he would always question what I was doing, but now I
realize that he was just looking out for my best interest. In my defense, I was 21 years old
and I knew everything. My advice: swallow your pride and listen.
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TORI FRAZIER
After I graduated from SDSU, I decided to
take a year off to travel around Australia. I
worked as a café server in Adelaide, South
Australia for 8 months and then as a fine
dining restaurant server in the ski fields of
Mt. Buller, Victoria. I then took a trip to
New Zealand and completely fell in love
with the country (and someone in it - my
current boyfriend, Corey). I decided to
move to Christchurch and start a new life
with him. I got a position as Restaurant
Supervisor at the Novotel Christchurch
Cathedral Square and worked there for 14
months until the February 22, 2011
devastating earthquake that changed my
life forever. The hotel was forced to close
down and has not since re-opened. We
then realized that we needed to leave
Christchurch so that I could continue
building my career and we could put these
hard times behind us. I applied for a
Restaurant Manager position at the
Novotel in Wellington (the capital of NZ)
and relocated almost immediately. I
stayed in the role for 9 months before my
boyfriend and I decided to move again –
to the biggest city in NZ – Auckland. He
wanted to go back to university and I
wanted a change from my current
position. I now hold the position of
Banquets and Catering Supervisor at the
5-star Pullman Hotel in the Auckland
Central Business District (CBD). I am
really enjoying the new challenges in this
role and love working in a larger hotel
(more than twice the size of Novotel
Wellington & Christchurch). At this point,
I am not sure when or if I will move back
the States, as I have grown to love this
country like my own. But we’ll see –
maybe in a few years!
Any advice for current students in
the HTM Program?
I would always suggest taking the time to
travel while you can. You have your entire
life of working to look forward to – so take
some time off, travel to another country,
learn a different culture and enjoy
yourself!
What is your fondest memory of
your time as an HTM Student?
Being a part of HTMSA! It was incredibly
rewarding, heaps of fun, and we started
the first ever trip to Vegas! I also loved the
classes – Jeff Campbell, you were my
favorite teacher! I always look back on the
HTM program with great memories; I
almost wish I was still in school! Ok,
maybe not.
ANDY KLOSTERMAN
Where have you been?
Where are you now?

Hotels, but they were no fun.
Best Beverage Catering, Outside Sales

Bars, and they were too much fun.

the HTM Program?

Remember to always BCC people when
sending mass emails.

President of HTMSA
2009-2010.
Received Director’s
Award for outstanding
leadership.
Sales, and it’s just
perfect!
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Annual HTMSA trip to Las Vegas—what
happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
RONNIE LEONARD
While at SDSU, I worked at the front
desk of the now Marriott Marquis and
Marina. The summer after graduating I
completed the Management
Development Program in Marriott’s
Regional Sales Office in San Antonio,
Texas.
Where are you now?
Currently I am located in the Western
South Central Sales Office in Dallas,
Texas. I am the Sales Manager for
Marriott’s select service brands,
representing over 40 hotels in the
Southern Region.
Any advice for current students
in the HTM Program?
Be flexible and step outside of your
comfort zone. Don’t be scared to
explore new opportunities that arise.
MARK LUNDIN
After leaving SDSU I went to work for Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines. I was
working mainly in the accounting department and completed a Manager in
Training program with Hilton. The training was for an Assistant Director of
Finance position. While I enjoyed working at the hotel I always had a passion for
aviation, so I pursued my commercial pilots license on the side.
Innovation! Carl Winston “strongly
suggested”, AKA required our chapter
in NSMH to do something awesome.
We had no other instructions or
meaning of what Carl meant by
awesome. Our board began
brainstorming various ideas and came
up with Mr. & Mrs. HTM, which turned
out to be a success!
Currently I work at United Express and I am a Captain based at Chicago’s O’hare
airport. I live in downtown Chicago (quite different from San Diego’s sandy
beaches) enjoying living in a big city for a bit! Being a pilot has allowed me to get
out and see a bunch of different countries…now if only I had my Hilton hotel
benefits I’d be set!
Try all of the departments when you are doing your internships (if you are at a
hotel). You might be surprised to find that you like a whole different department
than you had planned on. And keep those contacts.
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VANESSA MATSON
After graduating from SDSU’s hospitality program in
August 2008, I began my career in hotel sales with HEI as
an Manager In Training (MIT) at the Hilton San Diego
Mission Valley, and later as an Executive Meeting
Manager at the Embassy Suites Irvine Orange County
Airport. In late 2009 I moved to the Salt Lake City area
and moved into a Sales Manager role with the Embassy
Suites Salt Lake City for a small local private ownership
group. I worked there until August 2010, when I was
offered a position with Marriott International.
I currently live in Park City, Utah and I am a Sales
Executive with Marriott International’s Western Mountain
Pacific Sales team. In my role, I provide account management to small to mid-size corporate business accounts in
the Utah and Idaho areas.
Having a
experience
references
once you
field!!
great internship
and professional
goes a long way
are out in the
What is your fondest
memory of your time as
an HTM Student?
Working with my wonderful
team on our senior project
for Testa’s Strategic
Management class!
DOMINIQUE REDMOND
After graduation in May of 2008 I began at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel and Spa as
an Event Coordinator. From there I transitioned into a Senior Event Coordinator, Event
Manager, and I am currently a Senior Event Manager. During my career path I have
earned such recognitions as Cast Member of the Month, Marriott’s Awards of Excellence
Local Winner, Event Management Team of the Year, Face of Renaissance Nominee, and
Leader of the Quarter.
Never get discouraged if certain positions or opportunities are not presented to you right
away. Stay focused and determined and with dedication and hard work you will get to
where you want to be.
My favorite experience as an HTM Student was making a music video as one of the class
projects. It allowed us to be creative, gain knowledge, and still have fun.
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MICHELLE MIDDLETON
MAUREEN
MCLELLAN
I have worked and volunteered in many areas of the hospitality industry throughout my
time at SDSU and after graduating. Some of the positions I’ve held include Wedding
Coordinator’s Assistant, catering staff in the Corporate Partner’s tent at the 2008 U.S.
Open, banquet serving at the Hilton Bayfront, and more. When I graduated in 2010, I was
working a few jobs. I worked with Rachel Peniche at the non-profit organization Vista Hill
in the fundraising and events department, and also at her event planning company, Plan
It San Diego. Also, that summer I had the opportunity to work with Lisa Defino on the
2010 Midway Gala.
Where are you now?
I have been working at Lincoln Military Housing for almost a year and a half now,
planning events for military families. I am on a team of thirteen coordinators and
together, we plan over 500 events a year. We plan events of all sizes, ranging from small
block parties to larger events such as a Father/Daughter Dance and a 5K Run/Walk. I
also have the privilege of attending Navy Homecomings on behalf of Lincoln to support
the friends and families. We bring flags, pom poms, and flowers to give out to the families
while they wait for their loved ones to arrive. Each of the positions I have held have been
rewarding in their own special way.
Volunteer within the industry and get involved in a professional association such as ISES,
NACE, or MPI. You’ll meet new people and make connections that can help you in both
your personal and professional life. You’ll create friendships and business relationships
that will last a lifetime.
What is your fondest memory of your time as
an HTM student?
The trips to New York and Vegas were both a blast! It
was exciting to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of
the hospitality industry in both cities.
Another fun memory I have from the HTM program
was when we participated in the Trick-or-Suite 2009
event, decorating a hotel suite like Super Mario
World. We all had fun working together decorating.
When it came time to pass out the candy the children
were so excited to visit our room. The event was both
fun and rewarding.
After graduation, I got a job with
Continental Airlines in their
Federal Government Affairs office
in Washington DC as a staff
assistant to two vice presidents. I
was there for 3 years before
transferring to Continental’s
corporate headquarters. There I
worked in International and State
Affairs as an analyst for a year
and a half.
Where are you now?
Continental merged with United
Airlines and in 2011 I took a job
as a manager of Corporate and
Community Affairs in
San Francisco covering
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and
Honolulu.
students in the HTM
Program?
Vary your internships and find
valued mentors and professional
references. You can develop a
variety of skills during your
college years that set you apart
from others when it comes time
to find a job. I found that having
a bit of a unique job history
during college made it easier to
get a foot in the door for that first
job out of college.
memory of your time as an
HTM student?
Many group projects. While
sometimes overwhelming, it
certainly prepared me for all the
group projects you do in the
working world!
“You’ll create friendships and business relationships that will last a lifetime.”
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PAULINE MOYER
Renaissance Hotels Atlanta, Georgia (Front Desk Manager, At Your Service Manager,
Event Manager, Front Office Manager).
Where are you now?
Courtyard By Marriott Huntington Beach (Assistant General Manager).
Work smart and hard, don’t worry about the money now, get as much experience as you
can – the money will come!
Too many great memories – starting the first NSMH chapter at SDSU and all the NSMH
activities my senior year. At the NSMH end of year awards ceremony and tribute to Carl I
was giving a teary and emotional speech to thank Carl for all he had done for us and he
yelled from the audience, “I’m not dead yet!” and threw me off my game. After that I was
crying and laughing all at the same time.
Loved Jeff Campbell’s class. The whole team: Mike, Mark, Lori, Brian – they took the
time to get to know us all personally. They are like family!
“The whole team: Mike, Mark, Lori, Brian – they took the time to get
to know us all personally. They are like family!”
ERIN MUN

The Ritz Carlton, Washington DC – Meetings and Special Events Manager

Renaissance Dupont Circle, Washington DC – Senior Catering Sales Manager

Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel – In-Room Dining Manager (MDP) and Event
Manager
Where are you now?
Until April 2012 I was at The Ritz Carlton, Washington DC but have now moved to
San Antonio, Texas.
Interview with all companies and see which one fits you the best. Don’t judge a hotel by
how nice their physical building is. It’s the people that make up the company, so make
sure they’re someone you want to spend 50+ hours a week with. Work your BUTT OFF
your first few years and absorb everything like a sponge. Don’t think you know everything
because you probably don’t. Find a good mentor and work hard.
What is your fondest memory of your time as an HTM student?
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NSMH conferences—Charlotte, Las Vegas, Dallas, Seattle. One year, we all got up early
for a NSMH morning jog. When we were done we all needed to go back and get ready for
our breakfast meeting. All of us, students plus Carl, packed into one elevator and ended
up getting stuck.
VIATCHESLAV NOSOV
I first realized I wanted to major in Hospitality and Tourism Management at a bus stop in
Italy when I was working as a Camp Counselor for the Navy Moral Welfare and Recreation
(MWR). From there I continued to build on the “tourism” side by traveling to Germany and
Japan as a Camp Counselor and eventually a Camp Director. During school I was able to
sharpen my customer service and hospitality skills by working at the on-campus Juice It
Up, and the now Marriot Marquis and Marina. With the urge to explore different
opportunities, I took part in the Fall Hawaii Internship to Work with Navy MWR as part of
their Outdoor Recreation program. After the experience in Hawaii, which added to the past
Navy MWR experience, I was able to finish my last semester at SDSU while working as a
Marketing Assistant for the Navy Region Southwest Dining Services office located in
San Diego. Shortly after graduation I joined the regional team as the Regional Facilities
Operations Manager.
I am currently in San Diego working for the Regional Dining Services office as their
Regional Facilities Operations Manager. My duties include, but are not limited to, opening
new F&B facilities, monitoring, controlling, and explaining food costs throughout our bases,
working with vendors to ensure highest quality items and innovative methods are used,
understanding and utilizing the many software programs used for catering, point of sale,
resource management, facility design, financials, and consistent training of our
management and staff to ensure forward growth.
My advice to current students is to experience it all. Take advantage of the many programs
offered to college students because you may not get those opportunities again. Network and
make connections. Keep business cards and stay connected to those you feel are important.
Being one of the For The Fam actors. Winning Best Overall music video in the HTM Intro
class.
DANIELLE RUVOLO
After graduation I moved back home to Long Beach and became a concierge at Terranea
Resort & Spa in Rancho Palos Verdes. I really wanted to travel so I decided to apply to
airlines and cruise ships. This resulted in me being hired by Delta airlines, the best airline
in the world! I'm now a flight attendant, based in New York City. In the last year, I've
been flying internationally, domestically, and I still see my family in Kauai for at least five
days every month. I always look forward to my San Diego layovers! Now I'm a dedicated
charter flight attendant for the New York Yankees. In my free time on layovers I make
and sell jewelry. I LOVE my job and can't imagine anything else that I'd rather do!
My advice for new graduates is to take advantage of every opportunity that is given to
you. We're young and we have time to take life as it comes and try new things. We can
also afford to make mistakes every now and then. I never, ever would have thought I'd be
a flight attendant, but this job has opened more doors for me than I ever could have
imagined. Every plane I step onto is a new chance to make someone's day. No matter how
stormy it is on the ground, it only takes five minutes to pop up above the clouds for sunny
skies!
I met some of my life-long friends in HTM. I'll always remember the long-stressful nights
we spent together trying to finish our portfolios and especially our final graduation
assignment. We were so delirious sometimes that we would start laughing uncontrollably,
like the time we had to do a mock-trial with Mr. Ferbergerherder, who became "Mr. Ferjergerberder" and "Mr. Furgurburger". We also had great times taking group photos and
going on one EPIC Vegas trip!!!
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ROSTANA WARDAK
ASHLEY WALTER
My career began one summer when I wanted a fun summer job
and started working at a Chili”s Restaurant in my hometown. I
had just switched to HTM and thought, “Hey, this couldn’t
hurt!” From the speakers in the HTM 201 class I got connected
to the Padres Event Crew and worked 2 seasons with the
Padres while keeping up my restaurant job. I kept up my side
jobs as a server every summer, and then during the school year
worked in hotels for
the infamous HTM
internships. My first
hotel experience was
at the Del Mar
Marriott Hotel. After
that I went abroad for
a
semester
to
Germany, which was
such an amazing
experience! When I
came back I found a
job at the Sofia Hotel
in
Downtown
San Diego. For the last
H TM
I n t e rn s h i p
requirement I jumped
back to restaurants
and worked as the
opening staff for the
Spaghetti Factory in
Downtown San Diego. Once graduation came around, I
followed my heart back to Germany and helped open Le Pain
Quotidien, the first “LPQ” Franchise in Germany.
2004 – 2005, Assistant Front Desk Manager, Coronado Island
Marriott Resort & Spa
2005 – 2007, Regional Sales Manager, San Diego Marriott Regional
Sales Office
2007 – 2008, Large Market Sales Manager, Manchester Grand Hyatt
2009 – 2010, MBA, San Diego State University
2010 – 2011, Business Development Consultant, Histogen, Inc.
2012 – Now, Senior Convention Sales Manager, Marriott’s Western
Southwest Sales Office; Representing 23 full-service Marriott Hotels in
Southern California and Arizona; Selling Marriott Hotels & Resorts,
J.W. Marriott, and Renaissance Brands
Do what you do best already—NETWORK!
Have mentors in upper management roles that are always aware of
your career goals.
Make sure you follow through on what you say you will do!
What is your fondest memory of your time as an
HTM student?
My fondest memories revolve around me always trying to catch Carl. I
would walk wherever he was walking to get 5 minutes of his time. I
think I would have walked to the ends of the Earth to find him. My
concern was that I always wanted to make sure he bought into my ideas
for NSMH and the funny thing was that he never said no. Everything
was always yes, let’s make it happen. It’s pretty cool to know that I can
pick up my phone and call him on his cell even today.
I eventually found my way back to hotels and I am currently
the Event Coordinator for a Courtyard Hotel in Duesseldorf,
Germany. I have been living in Germany for the last 3 years
and have been working in my current position for the last 2
years. In December 2010 I was elected Employee of the Month
and then Employee of the Year for 2010. I have picked up
German and am completely fluent in my first foreign language.
For you current students….NETWORK, NETWORK,
NETWORK. Get out there, volunteer, be involved, be active,
and let your face be seen. You will be surprised by how far you
will go just through contacts. Besides networking, pay
attention to what all of the great faculty has to say, they are
wise and have a lot of experience and you will never meet
better mentors!
“Everything was always yes,
let’s make it happen.”
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There are so many great memories from HTM. If I could go
back and be an HTM student again I would for sure do it again.
Some great memories would be: seeing Carl and Jeff getting
pied in the face, all of our NSMH trips, being nervous about
presenting our HTM 490 projects, meeting Bill Marriott,
meeting life long friends, making a music video and then
planning the HTM Music Awards, being a student advisor and
getting to talk about my experiences, sitting in the HTM office
and hanging out and staying up late to finish the group
projects.
KAYLA ZACHER
I’m fresh out of the graduating May 2011 class, but my first job landed me in Mexico.
I am currently living on a 110-foot privately chartered yacht in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur.
We’re in a beautiful marina just outside the infamous Cabo San Lucas.
My greatest advice is to embrace the classes that you find most interesting. I originally wanted to
simply take the mandatory classes and breeze through the program, but as I became an
upperclassman and started looking into other courses that HTM offered – there’s an amazing
range of courses that you probably don’t even know exist – I found myself taking an
Entrepreneurship class, Sales and Marketing, and many other classes that I truly enjoyed and
excelled in. It opened many doors for me and set my resume apart from others. Now, even though
my job does not ask me to book charters for the yacht, I am currently in talks with the owners
about reaching out to different concierge and butler services at the popular hotels and residences
here in Cabo. The HTM elective courses have given me the expertise, courage, and leadership skills
to follow through with this task.
My favorite memory, hands down, was definitely being the winning team for my senior year 490
project. It was the cherry on top of an amazing time at SDSU and the “final exam” of my college
career. It was such an honor to be admired by the founders and professors of the HTM program.
My most unforgettable memory as an HTM student was when Professor Campbell taught us about
goals. He told us to write down our biggest goal and create a web of smaller goals in order to reach
it. My ultimate goal was to start my own privately chartered yacht company. I then set out during
my college career to find internships that gave me the skills to break into the yachting industry as a
Stewardess. Brian couldn’t have been more supportive of this plan even though I thought it was
incredibly far off from the traditional HTM grid (hotels, restaurants, etc). My internships and jobs
throughout college molded me into a professional Stewardess. Eventually, great networking led me
to the yacht I currently live on. Without the goal that I made my sophomore year in college, I
wouldn’t be anywhere near my dream, nor would I have had this much progress. Now, I make it a
habit to make even the smallest goals so I always have something to look forward to.
JOE WEST
I started working for Torrey Pines Transportation Inc. as a chauffeur while enrolled at SDSU. After
graduation I moved into a supervisory role, training and overseeing outside operations and
responsible for a staff of 30 chauffeurs. Torrey Pines Transportation provides ground transportation
services to corporate executives, personal clients, and affiliate companies throughout Southern
California. Our vast affiliate network allows us to provide ground transportation to our clients
throughout the United States and the world.
Two years ago I moved into the position of General Manager. I now oversee the full operation of the
company, with three direct reports and a staff of approximately 40 employees. I have been integral
to the company’s resurrection from previous mismanagement and I am quickly leading Torrey Pines
Transportation back to our position as San Diego’s corporate ground transportation leader. This
position allows me to utilize all of the knowledge I attained while in the HTM program. I get my
hands wet in everything, from HR issues and labor law, to finance and accounting. For years after
graduation I questioned the worthiness of much of the coursework I had in the HTM program, now I
know I could not be where I am today without it.
Embrace the internships and connections that your professors and alumni can provide you with.
Take every course seriously, you may not use this knowledge for years to come, but it will come back
to you when you need it.
Although I do not have a specific memory, I can say that my best time at SDSU was when I switched
from Finance to HTM. The real world experiences of my professors—Mike Corr, Lori Sipe, Bob
Rauch, and of course Carl—made my SDSU impression completely different from what I had
experienced up to that point.
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JENA EIDEN
CINTHIA CRUZ
Since I’ve been out of school I have been working
with Hilton Worldwide in their MIT program called
Elevator, an 18 month long program that takes place
in Latin America. From August 2010 until May 2011 I
lived in Cartagena, Colombia and did the first part of
my training at the Hilton Cartagena focusing on
Operations and Human Resources. From there I
moved to Puntarenas, Costa Rica doing the second
part of my training at the DoubleTree Resort Central
Pacific (just recently changed its name from
DoubleTree Resort Puntarenas) focusing on Human
Resources.
At the moment I’m still living in Costa Rica. I finish
my training in mid-May. I have already been offered
a position and I will be moving to Curacao, which is a
little island part of the Netherlands by Venezuela. I
will be taking on the role of Human Resources
Manager at Hilton Curacao. While waiting for my
work and residency permits I will be working with the
Regional HR Manager of Latin America
implementing a new recruiting system the company
has introduced.
Any advice for current students in the
HTM Program?
I definitely recommend learning another language. It
is a HUGE advantage in this industry and the more I
live out of the country, the more I see that there is
much competition.
Also, do pay attention in class because what they
teach you in the program is very real life. The project
I had to do for my training is very similar to the one
done in the second HTM internship. I had to do a
course at what we call Hilton University called “Risk
Management”, and it was like a review of Hospitality
Law. I felt like I was back in class reviewing my law
book and what the professor was saying.
Another thing that
has been engraved in
my brain, thanks to
Carl and Brian, is to
network, network,
and network. Get the
courage to go up to
industry
professionals and
introduce yourself to
them, no matter how
shy you are. Let
them know what
you’re interested in
12
I moved to New York about two
years ago to get a fresh start. When
I graduated from the HTM program
in 2008 I started a management
training program at the W Hotel
San Diego. While it was an amazing
learning
experience, I realized
through working various positions
within Food & Beverage that I
wanted to pursue a career in events
rather than restaurant and bar
operations. After moving to New
York I worked at several high-end
restaurants like Locanda Verde,
ABC Kitchen, and Back Forty (same
owner as Savoy Restaurant) before
finding a position as Event Coordinator for the French Culinary Institute.
Where are you now?
After a significant rebranding and
restructuring of the company, FCI
Catering & Events emerged as a
semi-independent “business within
a business” for the newly christened International Culinary Center, former home of the French
Culinary Institute. I was promoted
to Events Manager as sales took off
and we debuted a brand new venue
space on the top floor loft of the
school.
Any advice
for
students in HTM?
current
JENA EIDEN, RIGHT.
the industry people you meet
through the program, especially the
ones you click with. You will cross
paths with them often and it’s
always nice to see a friendly face in
a crowd of strangers when you’re
awkwardly networking at this place
or that. Also, take your advisors’
advice to heart, but don’t be afraid
to follow your own heart too. They
want you to be the best you can be,
but sometimes it’s ok to not know
exactly where you want to start that
journey.
What is your fondest memory
of your time as an HTM Student?
Doing the Cupid Shuffle with the
NSMH board at Regional’s in Las
Vegas. Or trying to wake up Kiley
Rosenberg, then President of
NSHM, because a bus full of NSMH
members was waiting to go to the
a i rpo rt ! D et a i l s wo u l d b e
inappropriate, but it was certainly
memorable.
Make sure you keep in touch with
CINTHIA CRUZ (CONT.)
and ask who you can be in contact with in order for you to achieve your
goals. I didn’t get involved in everything, but I got involved in the
important things and the events that would help me achieve my goals.
My fondest memories are probably the conferences that I was able to
attend, especially NSMH Nationals and volunteering during ALIS. During
that time I was able to meet industry professionals and have great
networking experiences with other college students that I still keep in
contact with and work with now in the industry.
MICHAEL COCHRAN
I started my career at the Catamaran hotel for the HTM Internship. From there I went to
the Marriott Mission Valley where I continued with the second HTM Internship and met
my future wife. I realized sales is where I wanted to be and was able to secure a sales
admin position with the Embassy Suites Downtown San Diego where I worked for
9 months before being promoted to the Catering Sales Manager. I did a year with catering
and was then promoted to a Sales Manager at the Embassy Suites La Jolla where I
worked for another year and a half. After that Embassy Suites Hilton offered me a Sales
Manager position at the Hilton San Diego Resort, where I worked in small meetings for
a year and half before being promoted to the Major Market Sales Manager, working there
for another two years. I was very lucky because I had the opportunity to work with my
sister Kelly Cochran (now Kelly Sprague). I was also able to go back to school and earn my
MBA while working at the Hilton San Diego Resort. From Hilton I was recruited by Hyatt
Hotels and was given an opportunity to work a larger market with options to grow. I was
a Major Market Sales Manager for the West coast at Hyatt Regency Mission Bay.
Where are you now?
I am now the Associate Director of Sales at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay and I am very
much enjoying my new market of the Northeast and learning more about the operations
side of sales and managing a team.
Take every opportunity you can to meet with people in the industry and continuously
improve yourself. Keep up with all of your contacts and truly put yourself out there
because all of the positions I have earned have been through networking and contacts.
My best memory was with Gene Lamke when I wanted to switch to HTM and my GPA at
the time was not the greatest. I needed his signature and blessing to switch my major. I
went to the office and explained my case, feeling good about the decision. At the end of
the meeting Gene said no and I was shocked. I started walking away with my head down
wondering what just happened, and then I heard Gene say “Hey Cochran, I am just messing with you, come back here!” I was cracking up.
ADAM EDELMAN
Six days after graduation I moved to Maui with Hyatt as a CMT and haven’t left since.
Currently I just moved from the role of Assistant Executive Housekeeper at Hyatt
Regency Maui to the Assistant Front Office Manager.
Take chances and enjoy everything that the industry has to offer. When opportunities to
differentiate yourself come up, take them. Also, while in school ask questions and
understand what is being taught because it is all very practical. SDSU will prepare you
very well for the “real world.”
Going to D.C. with Carl to lobby. While we were there we had a great alumni event and we
had the opportunity to meet past students who were just a few years ahead of us. Also, we
were able to network with AH&LA members from around the country.
13
JENNIFER BIRD
I started at Manchester Grand
Hyatt as a Food & Beverage
Intern and then moved to
Human Resources as a Human
Resources Intern. In summer of
2008 I had the opportunity to
go to Hyatt’s Corporate
Headquarters in Chicago, IL as
a Human Resources Intern. I
then transferred to the Hyatt
Regency Bellevue as a Human
Resources CMT, then was
promoted to Associate Relations
Manager.
Where are you now?
Hyatt’s Corporate Office in
Chicago, IL as an Employee
Relations Coordinator.
students in the
HTM Program?
On the job experience is
important while keeping an
open mind about different
management styles.
memory of your time as an
HTM Student?
Planning the first HTMSA Vegas
Trip!!!
JEFFREY ALDRICH
I moved to Los Angeles 6 months after graduating,
continuing my career with Starwood Hotels. I
worked in operations for the SLS Hotel before
transferring and helping open the W Hotel in
Hollywood. While there I began working in my
current field of revenue management as their sales
reporting systems analyst. After three years with
Starwood I decided to leave the company in search
of greater challenges and experience. I am
currently the Revenue Analyst for The Beverly
Hills Hotel and Hotel Bel-Air, which are part of
the Dorchester Collection. We are a chain of nine
five-star/five-diamond hotels, primarily located
throughout Europe. I’ve been with the company
for six months now and it has been both
“My favorite part about the major was listening
to my professors’ stories from their careers,
what they went through, and how they became
successful.”
challenging and rewarding. Working for such a small company is giving me the
experience of helping build and create a strong revenue management culture within an
emerging brand.
My biggest piece of advice to current students would be to definitely take advantage of all
of the networking opportunities that the HTM program provides, whether that is through
events and organizations within the major or just taking advantage of the wealth of
knowledge and contacts that your professors have. Having strong relationships within the
industry is key to helping you progress in your career, especially in the beginning when
you might not have as much real world experience that employers are looking for. I also
like using LinkedIn to help keep me contacted to previous co-workers and industry
contacts.
My favorite parts about the major were listening to my professors’ stories from their careers, what they went through, and how they became successful. I also think that the size
of the major being smaller gave us a unique opportunity to become close with our
classmates. We had a lot of group projects and I think one of my favorites were when we
had to create a new restaurant concept and my group worked on something called Karma
Kitchen—modern but healthy comfort food. We received inspiration from one of my
favorite restaurants in San Diego called Urban Solace, located in North Park. We all went
to have dinner one night to have the complete experience and the manager was so helpful
and even took us in the kitchen to meet the chef. We were really pushed to go out and
work within the actually industry on many of the projects and those kinds of experiences
really help once you begin your career.
I also met one of my best friends,
Vanessa Matson, through the major and
we continue to have many great times
just as did together throughout the
HTM program.
14
HARD AT WORK DURING ONE OF
OUR MANY HTM PROJECTS!
KRISTIN M.
ACKERMANN
KAYLA BALASEK
Prior to graduating from SDSU in December 2010, I interned at The Lodge at
Torrey Pines and The Event Team (a San Diego DMC) and worked at the newly
renamed, Marriott Marquis and Marina.
Post-graduation, I decided to move to Des Moines, IA to be closer to my now
fiancé, and was lucky enough to get a job at a local incentive house, ITA Group. I
started as a Program Associate where I assisted the group in event management.
This past fall, I moved positions and am currently an Associate Buyer. In my
new role, I help to negotiate hotel contracts for clients, prepare budgets, put
together presentations, and everything else that goes into the presale side of a
program.
My advice to current students is to be willing to do just about anything to get
industry experience. The job market is VERY competitive so don’t be picky and
be willing to work your way up, don’t expect to start in your ideal job.
My fondest (and least
fondest) memories of HTM
are the group projects. At
the time I thought they
were the biggest pain, but
looking back they really
helped me get to know
some of my fellow students
and led to some priceless
college memories - coming
up with square dancing
routines, “map out the
industry” in Lea Lukatch’s
living room, shenanigans in
the library with Coco
Rosenthal while putting
together our last HTM
project.
I have been at Evans Hotels since late
2007. I worked as the Catering
Coordinator at the Bahia Resort Hotel
from May 2008 to June 2009. I was
promoted to Catering Sales Manager at
the Bahia from June 2009 to February
2012. Again, I was promoted to
Catering Sales Manager at the
Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa within
the company from February 2012 to the
present.
Where are you now?
I am the Catering Sales Manager at the
Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa, Pacific
Beach.
the HTM Program?
Keep a list of as many contacts and
connections as you can!! You never
know when you’ll need a job, a letter of
recommendation, or just advice in
general.
15
STEPHANI SMITH
Sheraton Suites, San Diego, CA: Front
Desk Agent, Group Reservations
Coordinator, One Call Sales Manager
ALEXIS MOSKAL (PITTROFF)
The Westin Denver Downtown, Denver,
CO: Director of Revenue Management
After graduating I went to work as a Management
Trainee at The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport
Beach. Thanks to Carl and Brian I had an easy
transition into the work world! I was a part of the
pre-opening team, which was very exciting and
rewarding. I even had the opportunity to recruit
grads from SDSU and Cal Poly Pomona. After
finishing the Management Trainee program, I
moved into the Employee Communications role
where I wrote the employee newsletter and
coordinated all the employee events. I spent three
years in Human Resources before realizing that
working without windows in the basement of a
hotel wasn’t for me.
Any advice for current students ?
I am currently working in Communications at
St. Regis Monarch Beach, Dana Point, CA:
Reservations Manager, Revenue Manager
The Phoenician, Scottsdale, AZ: Asst.
Director of Revenue Management
The Westin Pasadena, Pasadena, CA:
Director of Revenue Management
Where are you now?
Continuously develop outside of your
chosen discipline! The hotel industry is
constantly changing and the more
knowledge and experience you have in
each department, the more valuable and
desirable it makes you.
“It was an incredible experience to be a part
of such a small major. I truly believe I got a
one-of-a-kind education.”
your time as an HTM student?
The Monarch School. We were the first
class to work with the school. After our
involvement they turned a profit for the
first time ever. It not only felt good to ace
an assignment but to be a part of a much
bigger cause!
I was in the group who won the first ever
HTM Video Music Award (Baby Got Restaurants).
The very first time I met Carl, I was meeting with him to discuss my timeline for
graduation. All I remember is him asking
me if I was “dropped on my head as a
child” because I was so focused on my
structured plan to graduate that I never
scheduled anytime to “have fun”! It was a
good lesson; life is too short to be serious.
The Irvine Company. Corporate life suits me well, but I do miss the chaos sometimes! We
deal with media relations for the company and it was been a learning experience.
Hospitality really does prepare you for every job. I’ve been very successful in the position
and have found an incredible mentor.
HTM emphasizes “professionalism” over and over again, which tends to get repetitive and
boring. I grew very tired of Carl and Brian forcing us to dress up for speakers and events,
and nitpicking every email I sent. After getting into the industry and interviewing job
candidates, I learned that so many people lack the very basics! It was shocking to me that
people would still use an email address they created when they were in junior high. So my
advice to current students is to listen to them, even when you don’t want to, because it
was by far the best thing I learned in college. I can’t tell you how many people think I’m
older than I am just because of how I act at work.
I had a great time in HTM, but sometimes it got very overwhelming and exhausting. I
took almost every class with Lilli Brown, and I can’t emphasize enough the importance of
having a friend to help you through it!
One of my most unforgettable (although maybe not my fondest) memories was during the
490 project. We worked our tails off to do an awesome job, and after completing our first
presentation, Mark Testa told us it was awful. He said it was actually, “terrible and we
completely missed the point of the assignment”. I don’t think I had ever been so shocked
during my time in HTM. Our whole group could not believe we spent the past month
working on a project that was the worst in the class. The good news was we took that
energy and ended the class with the highest grade. I will never forget that project!
I have to say I really enjoyed the camaraderie that came with being a part of HTM and
spending time in the office with other students. It was an incredible experience to be a
part of such a small major. I truly believe I got a one-of-a-kind education.
16
MELISSA TARPLEY
PAULA RUTHENBERG WITH RICHARD BRANSON, CEO OF VIRGIN GROUP,
AT ALIS HOTEL INVESTMENT
PAULA RUTHENBERG
I have had a very interesting career path so far. I worked many years with
Marriott International, where I acquired amazing experience and training.
When I left Marriott, I had a chance to work at Burba Hotel Network. Burba was
an amazing opportunity (I was referred to them by Brian Blake and Carl
Winston, who are great supporters of my career.) As a Conference Manager at
Burba, I met the most amazing and important people in the world. I traveled the
world with them (India, El Salvador, Miami, LA, you name it). I got to meet
celebrities like Richard Branson, Presidents, and the biggest CEO’s in the
hospitality industry. I planned the biggest hotel investment conferences in the
world. I am proud to have been a part of that team, but I left the job since I
wanted to move back to San Diego.
Currently I work in La Jolla as a sales manager. I work at an amazing property
in downtown La Jolla and have a beautiful ocean view from my office and great
clientele! I sell two beautiful boutique hotels, one in La Jolla and another one in
Coronado. The La Jolla property is an ocean front, luxury Balinese themed
hotel, just gorgeous! The property in Coronado is a hacienda style boutique
hotel located right on Orange Avenue, across from the Hotel Del. I love my job!
My advice to current students and to new grads is to be patient and don’t give up
if you love this industry! The beginning was tough, since this industry doesn’t
pay very well. I started working for free in really great companies (Concept
Worldwide with Terri Breining and The Meeting Manager) in order to build a
great resume. Then I went to Marriott as a hostess. The internship at Marriott
turned into a great opportunity. I left Marriott after 6 years as an Event
Coordinator. I had to work hard, but after all the experience I acquired I was
able to get better pay and great jobs!
I had a great time in the HTM program. I enjoyed meeting a great group of
friends who I am still in touch with nowadays. Also, I often see my college
colleagues at hospitality functions in San Diego, which is great fun. The best
memory I have is of a great trip paid by the HTM program to San Francisco. We
all flew to SF in order to complete a project ‘Why is San Francisco a restaurant
destination?” My group flew to SF (hotel, flight, and some money was offered by
the HTM program) and we had an amazing time. We got to try different upscale
restaurants and experience the nightlife there as well. It was such a great time
and a fun project to work on. I am thankful that I chose such an amazing
program. I had a great time.
Paradise Point Resort & Spa – 8 years
Catering & Conference Services Asst.,
Executive Meeting Manager,
Conference Services Manager
Estancia La Jolla – Catering Sales
Manager
The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay –
Catering/Group Sales Manager
Where are you now?
Dolce Hayes Mansion, San Jose –
Senior Sales Manager, Group
the HTM Program?
Stay involved in the community and
attend any workshops to continue your
education. Have fun and explore a
variety of options within the industry.
Working on the video for HTM 201 and
going to Gene Lamke’s office to talk
about the industry and career path.
17
BRIGETTE BOWER
I worked for Mowalla Productions after
graduation and traveled around the
country producing large-scale parties
and concerts for Anheuser Busch, now
InBev, and Southern Comfort, aka
Brown-Forman. We produced the 2009
Bud Bowl for the Superbowl with Snoop
Dogg as our headliner. Other artists on
our tours included Black Keys, The
Roots, Common, Ghostland
Observatory, DJ Lord from Public
Enemy, Gnarls Barkley, Justice, Z-Trip,
Matt & Kim and Bassnectar. For these
events we did everything from event
production, to marketing, ri artist
relations, and ticket promotions.
I currently work in San Diego at The
University Club Atop Symphony
Towers as the Private Event Manager.
The club was remodeled in 2010 and
they brought me on to increase sales in
the private event department. We do
approximately 1,300 events at the club
annually. The University Club is a
private business club in the heart of
downtown that produces all types of
events from galas, fundraising
receptions, school networking events,
private dinners, and even events for
SDSU!
To current students - take full
advantage of your internships while in
school, they will help immensely with
job placement upon graduation. Along
with that stay close with all of your
schoolmates as you will be working
with them and seeing them at mixers all
throughout the year if you are active in
the hospitality world.
BRIGETTE BOWER, RIGHT.
LESLIE BOSTICK
I was an intern for Ecolab while I was a
junior and senior in HTM, and as soon
as I graduated I started working full
time with them as a Hospitality
Territory Manager in San Diego’s North
County Costal Area.
Where are you now?
I accepted a new adventure in October
2011. I am currently an Account
Manager for Coffee Ambassador. We
are a locally owned and operated office
coffee service in Sorrento Valley.
Your advice for current students?
Keep smiling, keep learning, keep
networking, and keep having fun!
your time as an HTM student?
The HTM couches. The most AMAZING
people I know I met while I was in the
HTM program. Being able to continue
our friendships through state lines,
across oceans, or living in the
apartment next door, has been the best
part of it all.
AMY BUITENHEK
I started as an intern doing my 398 at the Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego/
Del Mar. After that I secured a full time position as a Front Desk Agent. After graduation
I was promoted to Operations Manager. After a year or so I was given the opportunity to
help open a sister property, the Hilton Garden Inn San Diego/Del Mar, as the Human
Resources Manager. After that I became the Director of Human Resources for
R.A. Rauch & Associates (the management company of the two hotels) where I consulted
for a Quality Inn & Suites in Colorado Springs, CO and the El Cordova in Coronado, CA,
while working as the Assistant General Manager at the Hilton Garden Inn San Diego/
Del Mar.
Where are you now?
In spring of 2011 I decided that I needed more work/life balance and decided to make a
career change. I am now the General Manager at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in
Watsonville. While I am a GM, I no longer work 60-70 hour weeks and I no longer travel!
Don’t be afraid when you do not get exactly what you want. I applied to MANY
hotels in San Diego before I was finally given an opportunity at the Homewood. I
wanted to work in one of the big hotels, but I have learned that I actually love the
smaller hotels. It is fun actually getting to know your guests.
18
I know that I had a lot fun! Memorable for sure. All of those group projects,
I hated them!! But I am glad now. I will always remember Mr. Testa’s 490 class.
That was a tough one! My class had to present to the Hotel Motel Association. It
was very nerve-wracking, but also a great experience.
HEATHER HEYDECKE
Bahia Resort Front Desk Supervisor, Catamaran Resort & Spa Accounts Receivable
Where are you now?
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego Finance Manager
Have fun with HTM and enjoy all of the group projects. You'll make friends and industry
contacts for life!
My good friend, Denise Tran, and I were lucky enough to get to travel to Chicago and
report back to our class about the restaurant life in the city. We had so much fun and I
still cherish those memories. I really did have fun working with my HTM friends and
enjoyed our group projects and guest speakers. Ralph Rubio really sticks out in my mind!
“Have fun with HTM and enjoy all of the group projects. You'll make
friends and industry contacts for life!”
TYLER CHICOURRAT
My first job experience in the hospitality industry was at a
small boutique hotel in downtown San Diego called
Se San Diego, which is now the Hotel Palomar by Kimpton. I
worked there as a bellman and then was transferred to the
front desk. From there I worked as a server at
The Old Spaghetti Factory, a server at Bar West, an intern for
Evans Hotels Sales Department, a host and server assistant at
Roys Hawaiian Fusion, and as a server at the Marriott Marquis
at their Tequila Bar and Grill.
Upon graduation, in Fall of 2011, I interviewed with Hyatt
Hotels for their Corporate Management in Training Program
in Food & Beverage and was offered a position with them in
Orlando, Florida at the Hyatt Regency Gran Cypress. I just
began my program in the middle of March 2012 and look
forward to what is ahead.
My advice to current students is travel, travel, travel!! I know
Carl and Brian probably do not want me saying this, but take
some time off before you jump into your career and start
working full time. Between studying abroad in Madrid, Spain
during my Spring semester 2010 and traveling in Central
America with my brother for 2 months before I started my
program with Hyatt, my eyes have been opened to how much
more is out there. I have a passion for traveling now and that
will play a part in my future.
One of my most fond memories in HTM was working with
Alyssa Alarcon, as well as the rest of the NSMH board and
volunteers to put on the first Mr. and Mrs. HTM. It was very
small compared to what it has become, but it has been cool
seeing it develop and it keeps getting better. Also the NSMH
National Conference in Greensboro, North Carolina was a
pretty memorable time for me because I was a sophomore at
the convention. Everyone was trying to apply for jobs, and I
had no idea
what I was
doing there
as a sophomore.
I
ended
up
handing out
business
cards
(to
other HTM
students)
trying
to
“network”…
epic fail!
HEATHER WALKER
MICHELLE
ZIMMERMAN
I entered the HTM program in 2006 as
a pre-major for meetings and events.
During my college career I worked in
various entry level operation positions
at the La Costa Resort and Spa, Hotel
Del Coronado, Marriott Marina Marquis, San Diego Convention Center, and
Sammy’s Woodfired Grill. The
experience I gained in those positions
coupled with my education in the HTM
program really prepared me for the
position I am in currently. Upon
graduation, I applied for the
Management Development Program
with Marriott International. I went
through a series of interviews and
earned a spot in a specific area of
interest: sales. I moved to Dallas, Texas
just a few weeks after graduating with a
3.85 average GPA and began my training. I trained for 3 months learning
about the organization’s sales process.
Once my training was complete, I was
placed in a Regional Sales Manager role
to respond reactively to sales calls. I sell
and negotiate meeting space and sleeping room prices primarily for corporate
organizations for all of the full service
Dallas/Fort Worth Marriott Hotels. I
have been in this role now for a little
over a year and have managed to
exceed my sales goals each quarter
earning bonuses as a reward. I continue
to learn and gain skills each day in this
job. I love the art of selling and hope to
make it into more of a marketing
position either within this company or
another in the hospitality industry.
Advice for students ready to graduate is
to make sure you have built some kind
of resume and have done some things
to “stand out” from the crowd. During
my interview process, I created a
personalized sales kit knowing that that
was the field I wanted to enter in the
company. The things that Carl, Brian,
and the rest of the professors reiterated
during the entire college experience is
very true: you need to always exceed
20
I interned with the San Diego International Sports Council, which hosted the Super Bowl
XXXVII in 2003. Besides interning for both associations and all the fun events and swag I
received, I got to run game statistics for the media box and watch the BIG GAME!!!
I worked for a ma & pop barbeque catering company (BBQ Express) for 7 years. I started as a
Receptionist/Sales Assistant for the first 8 months right out of college, and then was promoted
to sales and event planning with the company at age 24. I coordinated thousands of corporate,
wedding and private events for companies such as Jet Blue, JPL, Microsoft, Harley Davidson,
and many more.
I branched off on my own 2 years ago and started my own event planning business, Absolute
Events, LLC, specializing in catering coordination and an event specialist for both the corporate and private sector. In my first year I helped plan and cater over 40 events and grossed over
$100,000 which was very satisfying since I was trying to start a business in a down economy.
I also rep and coordinate events for Rasta Taco Catering, a mobile cart catering company in the
LA & Orange County. My knowledge and passion for catering has allowed me to branch out
and pursue such opportunities as this…and I am loving it!
To current students: follow your gut, be willing to learn, don’t be
scared to fail, shoot for the stars and network, network, network!
Student?
Too long ago to remember (almost 10 years). I felt like we were the
guinea pigs of the new program. I loved having the opportunity to
work on Ralph Rubio’s school/restaurant project downtown. All the
professors were awesome to get to know and fun to learn from—
Lori, Carl, Mark, and a few others I know I am forgetting to mention. I enjoyed that every time I met with Carl, Mr. Winston, I felt
like I was meeting with a friend/mentor. He always kept things
lighthearted, but was super serious about what he could offer you as
a student and soon to be industry professional.
MICHELLE ZIMMERMAN (CONT.)
expectations, go above a beyond, and make sure you are finding ways to differentiate yourself
from the rest of the crowd. I would also say make sure you are open and flexible to different
types of jobs and to MOVING. I was hesitant at first to move weeks after graduation from
San Diego to Dallas, TX but I am so thankful that I did. If nothing else, this move has proven to
be a wonderful resume builder for me and helped me stand on my own two feet (aka pay all of
my bills and loans on time and independently) IMMEDIATELY after college. If you don’t like
where you end up, you can ALWAYS go back to San Diego or wherever home is for you.
My favorite HTM memories are probably just hanging out in the
HTM office either grading tests as a TA for Mark Testa, dancing
around, sweating from the heat because there was no AC and the
fans just weren’t doing the trick, or doing homework and studying on only 3 hours of sleep and becoming incredibly delirious
and slap happy with the rest of the 2010 HTM class!
I have the absolute fondest memories of my HTM experience and
am certain that it is the BEST program any hospitality college
has to offer. Carl, Brian, and the rest of the staff have really
shaped it up to prepare you for the “real world,” and more
importantly always put their arms around you and make you feel
like you have a school “family”. I always felt like I was in some
kind of safe place walking up to the HTM office in between other
classes. I wouldn’t trade my college experience for anything!
VINCENT DI NINO
Upon graduation in 2006, I accepted a job with House of Blues in Hollywood as the
Marketing Manager. After 2 years with House of Blues I moved back to San Diego to work
for Stingaree nightclub as a VIP Host. In May of 2009 I accepted the position of VIP
Manager at the new Side Bar nightclub in downtown San Diego which is owned by
RMD Group and at the time was their first location. Since May of 2009 the company
added additional locations and I now oversee the marketing and VIP operations of all
locations.
I am currently the Director of Sales & Marketing for RMD Group who today now operates
3 nightclubs, 3 restaurants, and 1 tanning salon all located in San Diego.
Network, network, network.
Its never too early to get out there and meet people actually working in the industry and
the specific places that you would like to work. People appreciate ambition and are
usually willing to help if they recognize your passion and desire to succeed.
I remember the first ever group presentation I had to participate in for HTM 201 and
being completely under-prepared. I assumed I could just “wing-it” but Carl (who was
teaching the class) quickly made my group look like idiots by asking a few probing
questions. I quickly learned that unlike so many other things in college that you could BS
your way through, HTM classes were different.
“Network, network, network.”
EDMOND TSO
After graduating, I joined Hyatt’s Corporate Management Trainee Program in June
2008 at the Hyatt Regency Santa Clara, CA. In February 2009 I left Hyatt Regency
Santa Clara for Hyatt’s Corporate Office to join the implementation of
North America’s back office accounting system. While on the team I was responsible
for 18 North America implementations in multiple cities including: San Diego, Bellevue, Chicago, New York, Curacao, Washington DC, Wichita, Lost Pines, and more.
In September 2010, I joined the Grand Hyatt Washington as the Assistant Controller.
In 2011, I was selected to join Hyatt’s North America Diversity and Inclusion Council.
My advice for current students in the HTM Program is to be flexible with your career.
There are multiple paths that you can take to reach your goals of becoming Directors.
General Managers, or whatever you dream of becoming. Also, keep connections with
previous and current co-workers and industry leaders. The hospitality industry is very
small and every one really does know someone who knows you! You never know
when that person will be able to help you further your career or get you to that next
step.
My fondest memories of my times as an HTM student are the friendships I built with
other students of the program and the annual trips to the Hotel Show in NYC. I still
keep in contact with those friends and we still try to meet up at the annual Hotel
Show in NYC.
Camp Pendleton Leadership Trip taken with Mr. Jeff Campbell.
CHERISE WILSON
I started my career after college with Evans Hotel at the Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa.
Working with a family owned, local business was a great experience. It was fascinating to
work with the owners on a weekly basis and to see how involved they are in the day-today operations. I learned all about group sales, and specifically how tremendous it is to
sell Mission Bay!
Following in the footsteps of many HTMers, I found my way to Hyatt Hotels and Resorts.
I was recruited by my longtime friend, Elizabeth Holman, and began as a meeting
connections sales manager at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina in November
2010. After a year of service with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts I was honored to accept the
Elite Performer award for exceeding my goals and meeting 238% of my 2011 quota. I have
since been promoted to a major market sales manager position handling the West coast
market.
As a student I connected myself with HSMAI and have found many contacts that I have
made great relationships with. As a student I used this association to find volunteer work.
This led me to meet the director who hired me on with
Evans Hotels just before graduation. As an industry
professional now, I still have great relationships with
people I met in this association over 4 years ago. They
continue to help me in my current role as well as keep
me educated on the current state of the industry.
The best memory I have during my time with HTM was
the Camp Pendleton Leadership Trip taken with Mr. Jeff
Campbell. A gaggle of HTM students loaded into a van,
dressed in camo uniforms, and drove into the unknown.
When we arrived we were paired up in barracks, given
nothing but MRE’s to eat for the weekend, and taken
into a room where we were able to shoot simulated
M-K’s! Other fun activities for the weekend included the
obstacle course, walking the plank on a 30 ft. high-dive
(eyes-closed), and seeing the entire group ecstatic to
finally eat hot food on the last day!
Student experiences—like
the one Cherise talks about
on this page, or
NSMH Conferences, or the
New York Hotel & Motel
Show—are supported by
HTM through private,
donor dollars. HTM would
not be able to pay
conference fees, lodging
charges, and airfare costs
for students without the
help from individuals who
understand the value in
Giving Back to HTM.
Support current and future
students and help them
have the same life changing
experiences that you had
while you were in the HTM
program.
Even $5 a month ($60/yr)
can help a student network
and get his or her foot in
the door by providing a
year membership to an
association like MPI,
HSMAI, or CRA. To be a
donor and supporter of
HTM visit:
http://
newscenter.sdsu.edu/
giving/Default.aspx?
aogid=38
Or go to the HTM website
and find the GIVING tab on
the top right at
www.sdsu.edu/htm.
You can also contact
Marian Lim,
mlim@mail.sdsu.edu,
619-594-4596.
22
HOW CAN I GIVE BACK?
Student Experiences
$25-$100
Allows 1-2 students to attend a local
industry event or luncheon.
$250
Allows a student to have membership for a
year to a professional association such as
MPI, CRA, HMA, etc.
$500
Allows a student to attend the annual NSMH
National Conference.
$1,000
Allows a student to attend an industry
conference (airfare, lodging, registration).
Rostana Wardak, ‘04—“The
curriculum is guided by seasoned
experts from the field who realize they
are cultivating the successful leaders
of tomorrow.”
Erin Mun, ‘07—“HTM forces us to
Words
from
HTM
Alumni
Joslyn Blankenship, ‘05—“HTM has
a culture unlike any other program.
These interactions gave me the
confidence to navigate through an
industry with so many seasoned
leaders!”
network and get real life job
Kiley Rosenberg, ‘08—“You learned
experience. I’ve met more CEOs, CFOs,
to push yourself outside of your comfort
and Directors while in HTM than I
zone. HTM is a carefully calculated
have since I’ve been out of college in
culture and it rewards those that push
the real world.”
themselves to be leaders.”
The More You Know
 1/3 of HTM classes and faculty are paid for by private donations.
 Student activities and trips, guest lectures, and lunches are all made possible
23
through private donations.
YOU CAN
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Support HTM student leadership and growth
by providing experience opportunities.
$25-100
$250
Allows 1-2 students to attend a
local industry event or
luncheon.
Allows a student to have
membership for a year to a
professional association such as
MPI, CRA, HMA, etc.
$500
Allows a student to attend the
annual NSMH National
Conference.
$1,000
Allows a student to attend an
industry conference (airfare,
lodging, registration, etc.).
HTM ALUMNI DONOR HONOR ROLL –
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
~ Alyssa Alarcon ~ John Anastasopoulos ~ Mariana Boden ~
~ Amy Buitenhek ~ Kelly Cochran ~ Michael Cochran ~
~ Vincent Di Nino ~ Elida Espinoza ~ Jan Albert Rosete Fontecha ~
~ J.D. Fuimaono ~Nicole Furlano ~ Kelli Jo Glienke ~
~ Rhona Gorder ~ Warren Gunter ~ Heather Heydecke ~
~ Shelby Hoyt ~ Leah Jackson ~ Mave Jacoby ~ Christina Jeffries ~
~ Vanessa Klein ~ Samantha Konner ~ Aby Mahan ~ Tyler Martin ~
~ Bryan Meyer ~ Amanda Morad ~ D'Anne Morehead ~
~ Justin Navalle ~ Lindsey Pine ~ Vanessa Polanco ~
~ Lisa Ann Porcelli ~ Brady Robertson ~ Andrew Ross ~
~ Carrie Sinnott ~ Mary Springer ~ Melissa Tarpley ~ Denise Tran ~
~ Edmond Tso ~ Matt Turner ~ Carl Van Sant ~ Tilly Vo ~
~ Rostana Wardak ~ Katherine Webb ~ Jennifer White ~
~ Jeffrey Whiting ~ Lucilla Xavier ~ James Young ~
L. Robert Payne School of
Hospitality & Tourism Management
“Our vision is to be the most
personalized school of its kind in
developing hospitality leaders.”
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92108-4514
Phone: 619-594-4596
Fax: 619-594-4443
www.sdsu.edu/htm
PLEASE
PLACE
STAMP
HERE

HTM Alumni Profiles - L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and

Transcription

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