Dave Gans '92

Systems Manager,
Regal Sun Resort

q: What do you do?

a: I've been here at the Regal Sun Resort, an official Walt Disney World Resort, for 17 years. I wear many hats within the sales office including working with wholesalers and contracting all groups from outside the U.S. I also manage month-end reporting and tracking close-out dates.

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

a: Going to trade shows and meeting people from all over the world, which has allowed me to learn about different cultures. The International Pow Wow which was recently held in Miami, Las Vegas and Anaheim is one of my favorite shows.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: The economy. Even though we're at 90%+ occupancy today, because it's the peak time for Brazilians to holiday in Orlando, it could be completely different at another time of the year. The international market is seasonal and affected by the economy.

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

a: I've been in touch with Kim Vu-Le '93. There are many like Mike Baker '92 and Mike Anderson '93 who I'd like to get back in touch with. I miss them.

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

a: In my other job at Toys"R"Us at the Florida Mall. When my daughter was little, she collected Barbie dolls and I thought it would be nice to have the employee discount. Fifteen years later, I still work there and she has over 550 of the collectible dolls. You could also find me at the theme parks or home playing video games.

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

a: My three children, including my oldest daughter who is starting at UCF this Fall in the College of Education. She's transferring from Rollins College.

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

a: I use everything I learned in my job. I learned a whole lot from our projects including a "live" marketing plan we wrote for a hotel in Las Vegas. The professors made the experience -- they were wonderful -- especially Dr. Stephen Lebruto, Dr. Henry Melton and Dr. William M. Quain.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: UCF needs to keep the calibre of professors that we had back in my day. In spite of the growth of the hospitality program and larger class sizes, there needs to continue to be a high standard of teaching and a way to connect with the students on an individual basis.

q: A UCF memory?

a: The other students in my class. We had such a great time. I remember always being designated secretary for each group project because I could type the fastest. All of us had such a great rapport.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Does it have to be in Orlando? My favorite is Fresh Harvest at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa. They have seven different kitchens.

q: On your iPod?

a: Rock and 80's music.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I changed my major six times. During my years of school at Santa Fe Community College, the University of Florida and UCF, I had these seven majors (in order): PreMed, Math, Organic Chemistry, Psychology, Pharmacy, Computer Science and finally Hospitality Management.