Hospitality CEOs Who Started in Entry-Level Positions

Richard Stockton believes that Hospitality CEOs who began their careers in entry-level positions such as dishwashing, technical support, or accounts payable frequently rose through hard work and dedication These CEOs now lead hospitality companies all over the world Leadership depends on interpersonal skills in a business whose lifeblood is customer satisfaction. It's a difficult skill to teach, but it's essential in hotel management

Chris Nassetta: Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta began his career in entry-level positions, including a junior-level engineering position at a Holiday Inn Capitol Hill, where he used his plumbing skills to unclog toilets He later rose through the ranks of the hotel industry, focusing on people and their needs.

He has served on the World Travel & Tourism Council, International Youth Foundation, Partners for a New Beginning, CoStar Group Inc., The Real Estate Roundtable, the Economic Club of Washington, D C , and theArlington Free Clinic, among others

In 2007, he was named president and CEO of Hilton Worldwide, overseeing a portfolio of over 5,900 hotels with over 939,000 rooms in 114 countries and territories He is also the chairman of the World Travel & Tourism Council and a member of Shatterproof, which works to prevent and address the hospitality industry's addiction crisis He is the 2020 Hospitality Executive of the Year this year

David Levy is the president and CEO of Levy Restaurants, one of the largest companies providing food and beverage experiences at stadiums and entertainment venues. He oversees a team of over 40,000 who provide Levy's signature hospitality to guests at over 200 locations in NorthAmerica and worldwide.

Andy is a passionate leader who inspires creativity in his team to drive innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. He directs and recruits the industry's top specialists at Levy Restaurants to provide an exceptional guest experience

Andy is the founder of E15, an advanced analytics, and emerging technology subsidiary that supports a diverse portfolio of clients in multiple industries by planning and implementing strategic technology, and his role as president and CEO of Levy

He focuses on complex commercial litigation, business torts, restrictive covenants, intellectual property, real estate and construction, mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcy and insolvency, insurance and energy matters, and international arbitration He also advises clients on how to avoid litigation and manage crises

Lara Weiss: Lara Weiss has nearly three decades of hotel industry experience, including time as a revenue manager and director of sales Her knowledge ranges from corporate account management and consortia marketing to maximizing online travel agent tools and strategies.

She has a strong work ethic and a talent for simplifying complex issues, which she applies to her role as Director of Ota & Gds Management at Sader Hospitality Worldwide, where she oversees the hotel management software provider's global operations She also mentors the company's hospitality start-ups, assisting them in navigating the complicated world of hotels and property management

Most people who advance to top positions in hospitality management begin in entry-level positions such as dishwashing or technical support These positions lay the groundwork for a career in the hospitality industry and provide a comprehensive understanding of the industry They also show you what the job entails and assist you in learning the right things to do for your future employer

John MacDonald: More than two centuries after his birth, Macdonald is best known for his role in the formation of Canada His name appears on the ten-dollar bill and numerous other national symbols. However, new generations have reevaluated his politics and policies, and his reputation for political ruthlessness has been called into question

Macdonald, who had spent most of his life in Canada, was instrumental in renegotiating the country's Confederation agreement He was a charismatic and astute leader who aligned himself with the country's affluent English establishment

He was also a skilled and successful politician whose political acumen helped him avoid some of his predecessors' mistakes. He was a staunch supporter of Indigenous rights and Chinese immigration, but his policies were occasionally criticized as too harsh

McDonald has launched numerous media operations in addition to his hospitality career. He is a three-time National Magazine Winner and co-founder of the original Tasting Table food newsletter.