Marissa Moore '07

Meetings & Special Events,

The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes

q: What do you do?

a: I provide service to clients by communicating their program -- including schedules, banquet event orders, room rates, billing requests and more -- throughout the hotel, ensuring every detail of the client's experience at The Ritz-Carlton is delegated to the right people.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: Each program is so different! I've worked on everything from large corporate meetings to an Easter brunch for a co-worker entertaining her friends and family.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Problem resolution -- communicating last minute changes, and WEATHER!

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Jorge Chavez '07, Trel Delitz'06, Michelle Drabyk '07, Julie Noda '05, Jason Ring '07 and Ryan Tampa '07. My sister, Brianna Moore, is a current student at Rosen College.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: At a networking event for the International Special Events Society (ISES) or Orlando Young Professionals, or in Baldwin Park.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Becoming self-sufficient. I share an apartment with my boyfriend in Baldwin Park with the cutest little dog.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: The professors at Rosen weren't just teachers who got their knowledge from books. I learned a lot by listening to their stories of successful (and some not so successful) real-life experiences in the hospitality industry. Some favorites were Dr. Deborah Breiter, Dr. Wilfried Iskat and Dr. Tammie Kaufman.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: We had a lot of exposure to professional "experts" but recent grads could have prepared us more for our job search. They could offer more relevant advice such as don't pass by career fairs or manager in training programs, and tell us that realistically you need to pay your dues in this industry.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Football games...especially beating Marshall my junior year for UCF's first win in 17 games! Go Knights!

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Steak and chicken at Kobe with all of my friends!

q: On your iPod?

a: Everything from Britney Spears to The Beatles to Corey Smith and Pat Green.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I've never tried ketchup, because I don't like how it smells.

Dan Holm '08

Assistant Brand Manager,

Outback Steakhouse

Also: Blog Writer, greeneggsmarketing.com

q: What do you do?

a: I help brainstorm and execute national marketing promotions for Outback Steakhouse. This includes special offers and discounts. I've worked at Outback since 2003, first at a restaurant and then commuting back and forth to Rosen from the corporate office in Tampa. They hired me full-time after graduation. I also write a blog about restaurant marketing including new products and food trends.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: At Outback, it's exciting to see ideas from conception to implementation in restaurants across the country. I like that my blog influences people to think about restaurants in a new light. You don't realize how much power you hold as a customer. Dining out is more than just a meal; it's an experience which can be positive or negative.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: At Outback, we're always looking for new ways to connect with our customers. Coming up with new interesting topics for my blog is a fun challenge.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Quite a few including Kai Armstrong '08, Ryan Bauer '07, Sandi Bednarz '08. Karla Elliott Armstrong '07, Kimberly Greth '06, Robert Heilman '07, Blair Keller '08, Nate Nakamura '06 and Amanda Smythe '08.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: At Chipotle or Target.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Having a wife and child.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: Dr. Chris Muller's courses were very influential. I took three of his classes: Restaurant Brand Management; Foodservice Marketing, Advertising and Promotion Management; and Hospitality Facilities, Planning and Design.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: There needs to be coursework on entrepreneurship incorporated into the curriculum. I would have liked less focus on event management and operations. Not everyone wants to run a hotel or restaurant; there are other career paths, like mine in marketing. Also I think the school needs to reposition its branding with a larger outlook than just Orlando. Outside Orlando, people aren't as familar with the Rosen name.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Helping open the brand new student housing at Rosen College. I was one of the very first resident advisors.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The burrito bowl at Chipotle. I order it with half pork and half chicken, rice, medium salsa, corn salsa, sour cream and lots of cheese.

q: On your iPod?

a: At least 80% of the songs are by the Dave Matthews Band. I just saw him for the 14th time at the University of Virginia, and the 15th time will be in Tampa this August. In 2007, I saw him four times in one week: once in Gainesville, once in Tampa and twice in West Palm.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I can clap with one hand.

Adam Bailey '05

Director of Production,
The Coordinator

q: What do you do?

a: Manage production and sales for a special events company. Whereas a typical caterer might take two hours to prep for an event, we may take two days to set up since our events are highly-produced -- not just including food and beverages, but also details including florals, themed decor, transportation and promotional items. We just completed a 500-person sit-down dinner and concert at UCF.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: Considering this is my seventh year in this position...all of it! I enjoy what I do.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: In these times, the first thing cut from many budgets is events. Whether it's a private homeowner or a major company, everyone's scaling back.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: So many! Top of mind are Erin Durning '05, Candi Evett '06, Jillian Johnson '07, Taylor Mackey '07 and Aaron Thompson '06. Aaron's the warehouse manager here at The Coordinator.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: Downtown. I don't like to sit around so am always out doing something.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Holding on to my college friends and making new ones. Also: "Building Adam Bailey" -- growing as a person.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: UCF helped me grow socially. Rosen's courses helped me discover my passions in the hospitality industry. The internships helped me see every aspect of the business and get the great job I have now.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: Rosen College was brand new and the student housing wasn't completed yet, so I lived on the Main Campus. It was a long drive! Also, at the time, the content of many of the courses seemed to overlap. That may be different now.

q: A UCF memory?

a: My fraternity, socials and intramurals. College life was like a sprint -- I wanted to do everything.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The brisket we serve on our carving stations at The Coordinator is amazing.

q: On your iPod?

a: Everything including rap, country, rock and dance.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: Most people don't see my crazy side since they know me professionally. I'm still a silly big kid.

Dave Buckalew '05

Owner,
Buckalew Hospitality

q: What do you do?

a: I run my own Orlando-based hospitality consulting firm. I specialize in mystery shopping services for hotels and working with meeting planners to find customized staffing and service solutions.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: The freedom to take time off when I want and, when I'm working, create my own schedule. Unless a project dictates start and end times, I usually decide when I start in the morning and finish for the evening. If a social event comes up, I can juggle my schedule to attend.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Sales. I'm definitely not a salesman. Once I have the business I'm great at maintaining and operating it, but the initial sell is where I need improvement. I rely on the competitive advantage of being quick on technology and fast to respond with communication.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Yes. I truly enjoy keeping in touch with classmates including Mike Fisch ’04 and Scott Mifsud ’03.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: At a baseball game or UCF sporting event. (Interviewer note: Dave had a Longoria jersey hung up in his car and was headed straight to a Tampa Bay Rays game following our interview.)

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Getting married to Erica Acquavita ’04, a Rosen College graduate who I met in high school, and buying a house.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: UCF, particularly Rosen College, helped me develop my network. I also was able to gain crucial experience doing the required internships. I was really involved in the student clubs and associations which helped me to develop and pursue the clients I have today.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: More emphasis could have been put on sales and entrepreneurship in the industry. You certainly learn the theory and operations side from a manager standpoint; however, there is a big difference between owning the business and running the business. I learned most of this stuff on the road.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Parties, road trips, Main Campus and Homecoming week.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Wings...at Buffalo Wild Wings, Johnny’s Filling Station or McWell’s.

q: On your iPod?

a: Not enough songs yet. Somewhat diverse so far: The Killers, Coldplay, DMB, U2, Journey and Blink-182.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I have a personal goal to see games in all 30 Major League Baseball parks in the U.S. So far I've been to 11 of them. This Summer, I have a trip planned where I'll watch games in nine parks.

Erin Durning '05

Sales and Marketing Manager,
Dubsdread Golf Course

q: What do you do?

a: Promote and manage group golf sales for Dubsdread Golf Course, which is owned by the City of Orlando and managed by Kitson & Partners. This can include any groups of eight or more people, including pre-wedding outings, charity tournaments, and corporate events. Most book very far in advance; right now I'm putting together an event for 2011! All food and beverage is handled by the Tap Room, which is a completely separate entity so I only handle golf. Part of my job is being out-and-about, promoting Dubsdread - recently renovated and reopened in July '08 - at networking events and to local businesses.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: People are happy when they're golfing. I enjoy meeting all the people who come to Dubsdread and building relationships with them so they'll come back to hold their tournaments here, year after year.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: In this economy, getting corporate sponsors and players for charity tournaments. Thankfully events are still successful with an average of 80-100 players versus 144 in past years, because bidding on auction items is a large percentage of the charity's total profit.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Adam Bailey '05 who works at an event-planning company called The Coordinator.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: Definitely at L.A. Fitness. I live in Thornton Park, so frequent places like Shari Sushi and Hue quite a bit too.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Serving on the board of directors for a non-profit called COMPACT, which helps reduce the number of student drop-outs by providing mentors. It's been rewarding to follow the stories of high school kids and hear about them going on to college, and also meeting influential people who help the charity.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: The Yacht, Country and City Club Management course inspired me to pursue a career in golf. At that time, the class was held in a portable behind the Classroom Building on Main Campus. The computer and accounting courses were extremely valuable too; I use Excel worksheets with formulas I learned for nearly everything I do, including sales contracts and the reports I prepare for the City of Orlando.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: I disliked the Quantity Food Production class, especially knowing I wouldn't use the knowledge after graduation. Also, I lived on Main Campus since at the time Rosen College didn't have the dorms and pool.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Since I was from out of state, joining a sorority gave me the opportunity to meet so many people, including my fiance (also a UCF grad) who I've dated for seven years. It was great for socializing and getting involved with charity work.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The Boston roll and Mexican roll at Seito Sushi in Baldwin Park.

q: On your iPod?

a: Being from New Jersey, I love Bon Jovi. Every Bon Jovi CD ever released is loaded on my iPod. Even when I shuffle it randomly, every other song is Bon Jovi.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I was a gymnast for 14 years and almost chose a college in Maryland so I could be on its gymnastics team. I ended up choosing UCF, even though it didn't have gymnastics, because I wanted to live in Florida.

Megan Casey '07

Event Planner,
Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau

q: What do you do?

a: I help plan events for the 1300 or so members of our private, not-for-profit trade association. Also, I assist the PR and convention sales departments with media blitzes and press trips. In June, I'll be in Chicago promoting Orlando.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: I'm doing something different every day, and get to interact with our members.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Juggling a large number of projects. We have them scheduled for the entire year, but with the tumultuous economy, some are canceled or changed at the last minute. New projects are often added at the last minute.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Even better...the professors! I see Dr. Deborah Breiter and Suzan Bunn on a regular basis at Meeting Professionals International (MPI) events.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: In Downtown Orlando.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Buying my first home in Avalon Park.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: Completely - since I wouldn't have my job if it weren't for Rosen College. Misty Johantgen, V.P. of Member Services for the Orlando CVB was a guest speaker in one of my classes and offered an internship opportunity. Since positions at the association pretty much never become available, I was thankful to be able to stay on after graduation. Rosen College professors provided valuable information because they weren't just teachers, but experts who actually worked in the industry.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: I feel the requirement of a paid internship was to my detriment. I had to turn down two amazing internship opportunities because they wouldn't pay me, and work as a hostess. That did not provide a valuable learning experience. After I completed my required three semesters in that paid job, the unpaid Orlando CVB internship is where I became inspired and immersed in the industry.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Football games and tailgating, without a doubt. Because Rosen College is secluded, and such a distance from Main Campus, football games were what made me feel like a UCF student.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The tuna roll and seaweed salad at Shari Sushi.

q: On your iPod?

a: Everything from Britney Spears to Billy Joel.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I'm afraid of all lizards.

Holly Steinebronn '07

Account Executive,

Odyssey Creative

q: What do you do?

a: Business development for a digital video company. My job is to increase brand awareness - did you know that our video for UCF's annual Black & Gold Gala won awards?

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: The atmosphere of the company, its structure and its people - including company president Marc Collins, UCF '96.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Helping to educate businesses on the importance and benefit of marketing during a down economy.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Most frequently Brittany Andrews '08 and Laura Ball '07, who also work in Downtown Orlando.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: I'm active in the Orlando chapters of the International Special Events Society (ISES), National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) and Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) so am constantly at association events. On nights without an event or meeting, I might be at Eola Wine Company or Ceviche.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Moving into a high-rise condo in Downtown Orlando. I walk to work!

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: The program forced me to get a job in the industry before graduating. I had been coaching gymnastics and loved it, so would have kept doing that if it weren't for the required internship. Thanks to the invaluable work experience in the hospitality industry, I received five job offers after graduation.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: The quality of the students needs to be improved. Admission should only be given to students who will take the program very seriously, and genuinely want a management job after graduation.

q: A UCF memory?

a: In our Catering Management course, we hosted and planned a dinner for Skål International Orlando, an elite group of travel and tourism leaders. Two groups within the class got to "pitch" our themes to the prospective client. Our theme was chosen; it was so much fun coming up with our presentation, impressing the client and then executing our ideas into a real-life event.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: At Fishbone's: the filet with gorgonzola butter and port wine glaze.

q: On your iPod?

a: Frank Sinatra and Jack Johnson.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: In high school, I was voted Class Clown.