Brian Avery '07

President,
Event Safety & Security Services

Master of Science, Hospitality and Tourism Management '07

q: What do you do?

a: Consult with companies all over the U.S. on safety and security issues, specializing in hospitality and events. My clients have included GE/NBC Universal, SeaWorld, Give Kids the World and the New Mexico State Fair. Much of my time is spent traveling; for instance, I just did inspections in 15 different cities in a 10-day period. Additionally, I'm one of the few expert witnesses involved in lawsuits concerning incidents that have occurred on amusement rides and devices. I'm also a Rosen College professor; one of the courses I teach is Hospitality & Event Risk Management.

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

a: Solving problems. I enjoy putting plans together that will help save lives, and also encouraging my students to implement safety practices for their future employers. I feel that I'm creating a little army out there, teaching people in the industry about how to prevent injuries.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Dealing emotionally with the injuries, especially those involving children concerning the accidents I investigate. I'm subjected to photo documentation of the accidents, and the story lines that come along with them. They can be a little overwhelming at times.

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

a: Leonard Pollard, M.S. '07.

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

a: Somewhere outside: at an art show, festival, event or Bucs game. I play soccer every Saturday morning.

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

a: My family, which is an investment in time and energy. I have two boys, Dylan who is eight and Peyton who is five, plus a girl named Skyler who is three years old.

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

a: It taught me how to do investigative research and provided me with a solid foundation of the hospitality industry. I was already doing risk management, but the degree program helped me refine the direction for my company, and uncover areas that needed addressing within the hospitality industry.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: Back when I was at Rosen, it was more theoretical. Since then, they've introduced more internships, externships and real-life projects so students can better understand the concepts in the textbooks.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Taking my father to the Texas game, right after the new stadium opened.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Raw oysters, shrimp and crab legs at J.B.'s Fish Camp in New Smyrna.

q: On your iPod?

a: Alternative Folk, which includes the Dave Matthews Band, Damian Rice and MGMT; also, Johnny Cash.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I'm a painter. My first show will be in December at Stardust Video & Coffee in Winter Park. I also play the guitar.

Kristyn Rogers '08

Premium Sales Assistant,
ORLANDO MAGIC
2009 Eastern Conference Champions

q: What do you do?

a: I manage the day-to-day operations and appointment schedule for the Orlando Magic Experience Center located in Downtown Orlando. I also stage and set up the suites and other premium inventory that is used to sell to current and future season ticket holders. I assist with the contract submission for the luxury suites and legend suites as well as coordinate many social/business events and board meetings at the Experience Center.

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

a: My favorite part of being the Premium Sales Assistant is having the ability to build relationships with some of the season ticket holders and corporate partners that have supported this team from Day One. We're getting ready to make history in Orlando by moving into the most technologically-advanced building in North America and I'm so thrilled to be a part of this transition. Everyone is so excited and it's a joy to be around these fans and supporters everyday!

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: The greatest challenge is managing all of the requests to use our fabulous space. The Experience Center is a state-of-the-art facility that allows for large groups to host functions and entertain their clients. As Amway Center is being constructed and taking shape, there is so much interest in what the new home for the Orlando Magic is going to be and we have the opportunity to give them a sneak peek into this remarkable facility.

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

a: I try to stay in touch with Rosen alumni as well as current Rosen students. It's always a joy to find out that the person you have been working with on an event had a class with you a few years ago. The hospitality industry is so diverse and there are so many people that I had graduated with that are doing so well, especially in this tough market. I'm very proud to be a Rosen alum and talk about the college every chance I get.

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

a: You'll find me cheering on the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena, or at a local sports bar watching the away games and Gator football. You could also find me roaming around Park Avenue or Millennia Mall on the weekends, spending time with friends and family in Jacksonville or checking my fantasy team and cheering on my players on Sundays.

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

a: Moving into a place by myself. It's a huge step to take in the adult world and being able to support myself and pay my own bills is insanely gratifying. I'm working on finding the courage to participate in a 5K sometime soon, but I have to dust off my running shoes first, and find the time to really focus on training.

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

a: Rosen College helped me to come out of my shell and be more personable with people that I don't know. Starting a conversation with someone and being able to make a positive first impression is a quality that I never take for granted. Not only do I represent the Orlando Magic, I represent UCF and the Rosen College on a daily basis, and being a professional and service-minded individual is not something that was created at UCF, but it was definitely polished there, and I'm appreciative for that.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: The Rosen College has such a great program and it has gained a lot of momentum in the past few years. With all of the students interested in this field, I think it's important to be selective with the students that attend the college. Everyone has goals and wants to achieve them, and no one needs to have those goals hindered by less focused individuals.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Watching the Knights charge onto the field in the new Brighthouse Stadium was a terrific moment for UCF. We have so much pride in our athletic program and finally having a stadium on UCF’s campus was a great milestone. I'm so happy to have been there to witness the first game on our “home-field”.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: I recently ate at Kres Chophouse for the first time, and having the filet and all the trimmings followed with white chocolate bread pudding was by far one of the best meals I have had in Orlando.

q: On your iPod?

a: I have a little bit of everything on my MP3 player, but I mostly listen to country, pop rock and hip-hop. Everything from Phil Collins and Carol King to Britney Spears and Jason Aldean. I'm all over the board when it comes to music.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I have over 50 pairs of shoes! It is a little ridiculous, but shoes can make an outfit go from cute to fabulous!

Jeff Hartzler '09

Event Manager & Marketing Coordinator,
Knights Plaza

q: What do you do?

a: I work on sales, sponsorships and day-to-day project management for Knights Plaza, which includes the UCF Arena. Currently I'm preparing for Light Up UCF, an event running from November 20 through January 10. The light show has doubled in size from 2008 and in addition to the ice rink, we've added a Ferris wheel, ice slide and carousel. We'll be playing 15 holiday movies.

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

a: I was prepared for front of the house responsibilities from my work in restaurants and guest services, but this job is better for me because no day's ever the same. There are so many different logistics involved. For instance today, they're starting to hang up the holiday lights and we have a strategic planning meeting. On another day, I could be meeting the Fire Marshall.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Developing an abstract idea into a concrete event. I brainstorm so many ideas for events but it's not as simple to come up with a realistic action plan.

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

a: So many! Just a few are Matt Bunevich '08, Christine Calace '09, Ashley Lopez '09 and Jamie Simpson '09.

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

a: Kayak fishing.

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

a: Taking the initiative to run for a seat on the Oviedo City Council. (Jeff put up a good fight but did not win in the Nov. 3, 2009 election.) More people should run for public offices. Competition is the lifeblood of democracy.

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

a: Rosen is different from other colleges because 95% of the teaching is from a real-life standpoint. I can't say enough good things about my professors, specifically Darren Chiappetta, Scott Smith, Dr. Youngsoo Choi and Dr. Hyung-il Jung. Thanks to Tony Peluso, who was my theme park professor at Rosen, I got the internship here at the UCF Arena, and they kept me on full-time after graduation.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: There should be a real-life facility completely run by Rosen students, similar to the Statler Hotel on the Cornell campus. Ideally this would be a restaurant, hotel, attraction or club on the Main Campus of UCF or located close by, which would give exposure to what Rosen College is all about. As a remote campus, we can be forgotten and/or mistakenly perceived by some of the UCF community as a trade school. There's so much talent at Rosen College that's not being marketed to the public through small class projects. Also, a large percentage of the Rosen students live near Main Campus, so working in a living, breathing facility in that area would be more convenient than internships in the Disney or International Drive area.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Dr. Parsa's speeches before and after the guest lecture series. He is always so positive and happy. I love that about him. So many of the professors are that way.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The Mexican buffet at El Potro in Oviedo and, for breakfast, The Townhouse Restaurant in Oviedo.

q: On your iPod?

a: I'm Old School so don't have an iPod. If I did, it would have reggae music on it.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: Half of my family (my mother's whole side) is from Aruba and Curaçao.

Chalese Wright '96

Certification Manager,
American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute

q: What do you do?

a: The Educational Institute offers more professional certifications to the hospitality industry than any other association, handling over 40 different professional certifications from line-level positions up to General Manager. I manage the employees in the certification department. I'm also the representative from the department who collaborates with the warehouse, accounting, marketing, and IT departments to ensure a smooth experience for the customer.

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

a: Hearing from customers who have recently earned their certifications, and are so excited that they want to help all their department co-workers get certified.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Our company has international licensees all over the world, including Bahrain, China, Egypt, India, Malaysia, and Singapore. With so many different cultures and languages, it’s a challenge to communicate clearly and concisely. Also, sometimes there's a misconception about professional certifications. We provide textbooks and training materials, but the certifications themselves are not educational courses to learn a profession. They are a way for an individual to validate his or her knowledge and current job duties with a certification that matches those duties.

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

a: Having graduated from UCF over 12 years ago and the program having been much smaller back then, I have unfortunately lost contact with those that I knew when I was in the Hospitality Management program.

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

a: Working out or shopping…but not necessarily in that order.

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

a: Purchasing my condo two years ago; it happened more quickly than I expected, but it was exactly what I was looking for!

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

a: Back in the mid-90’s, UCF had just started updating its business program to include classes that focus on team projects. It helped me to learn how to work as a team, incorporating each team member's strengths to corresponding parts of the project. I still use those skills to this day, evaluating the people I work with to match their strengths with specific job duties.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: When I was at UCF, the Hospitality Management program was under the School of Business, so I took mostly business classes and then some general hospitality classes. I was very happy with the program at the time since it was growing and just starting to develop into what it is today.

q: A UCF memory?

a: From being in a sorority to being a part of the Hospitality Association, my time at UCF was very memorable…thinking back on those memories, it makes me want to be a “kid” again.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The Cedar Plank Salmon at Seasons 52. I also enjoy a burger and fries at Five Guys every now and then.

q: On your iPod?

a: Michael Jackson, Cold Play, MercyMe, and a little country.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: When I was born, the doctors realized I had a form of Spina Bifida but weren’t sure to what extent or if I would be able to walk. I am very thankful and happy to say that I have never had any difficulties walking and have never needed any surgeries or assistance.

Lyndsay Mills '08

Regional Sales Manager,
Marriott International

q: What do you do?

a: I manage sales for 27 hotels in the New England territory, from Scarborough, Maine to Danbury, Connecticut. I'm responsible for selling/contracting groups and corporate events at each of these hotels.

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

a: My favorite part of the job is the challenge it presents. I went from selling one hotel in Dallas, TX to selling 27 hotels across New England. Having to know the ins and outs of so many hotels forces you to be on your game every single minute you are at work, because you have no idea which property you will get an inquiry about at any given time.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: The greatest challenge is convincing each customer that I am focusing 100% of my attention on their event and the hotel they are interested in while managing events for all of my other hotels at the same time.

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

a: Jamie Hines '08, who works for White Lodging, at a Residence Inn in New Jersey. Also: Elise Carlson '09 and Kat Drake '08.

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

a: Right now, we are painting/decorating our new home and exploring all the new restaurants and events in Boston/Cambridge.

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

a: Getting the chance to move back to New England and start a new life and home in Boston.

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

a: Every single day, I use what I learned in my Hospitality Communications class with Carole Dickson. She prepared me for professional presentations and proposals. The group projects throughout the degree program taught me how to interact with my boss and colleagues, and inspired me to always be brainstorming new, better ideas.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: Sales is one of the most lucrative career fields within hospitality. More sales training should be available, as well as courses in revenue management. I did take the one available course, Convention Sales, but it focused on upselling conference groups instead of direct sales and teleprospecting.

q: A UCF memory?

a: The wine classes. I really learned a lot that helps me in my job, designing menus for events and making recommendations.

q: Favorite meal in Boston?

a: Dave's Pasta in Somerville, MA where we can shop for homemade ravioli and garlic bread!

q: On your iPod?

a: A huge mix of new and old!

q: Little known fact about you?

a: My Fiance and I will be getting married on July 22nd in New Haven, CT and we couldn't be more excited!

Mario Ponce '90

Founder and Principal,
Partners in Hospitality

q: What do you do?

a: I created Partners in Hospitality to help independent restaurant operators acquire services that larger operators provide (recruiting tools, business plans, marketing plans, operation plans, opening plans, growth plans, buying and selling, to name a few). Based out of Chicago, about 50% of our clients are multi-unit chain restaurants across the U.S. who see value in our service. Since my graduation from UCF, I worked at Hard Rock Café International, Planet Hollywood International, Park Grill at Millennium Park Chicago and Rosebud Restaurant Group.

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

a: There's never a dull moment. Making a difference in the lives of our clients and their guests is what makes this a rewarding and lucrative experience. I can’t remember the last time I complained…it’s been that much fun! Get this: it’s still a blast!

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: The economy is like a huge ship…it won’t turn suddenly. Thus, everyone’s patience, including mine, is being tested. Convincing restaurant operators who have lofty dreams to temper their excitement and sales expectations is tough. Yet, that’s a big part of our role – help the operator and lead toward a path of reality and success. Easier said than done; fortunately, none of our clients (in four years) have failed.

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

a: When I graduated there were only 23 that walked (1990); Anthony Tesoriero, Ashok Arora, Nina Yon and Chris Cirulli are still in touch.

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

a: Hanging out with Kalea, my six year old girl, or reading, cooking, watching reality T.V. shows that involve the restaurant business (yes, even Hell's Kitchen), exercising, visiting every new restaurant that I possibly can, and hanging out with lifelong friends & family.

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

a: Traveling through five continents and working in 20 different countries. My favorites places were: Australia, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Paris, Monte Carlo, London, Buenos Aires/Argentina, St. Thomas USVI, San Francisco and New York City. I currently reside in Chicago, an amazing world-class city. Also, hanging out with really cool people such as Alan Parsons, James Brown, Bo Diddly, Lisa Stansfield, Whitesnake, Meredith Brooks, Actor Chris O’Donnell, David Copperfield, Roger Clinton (Bill’s brother), Payne Stewart, Dave Mustaine/Megadeth, Blue Oyster Cult, George Benson, and so many more.

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

a: My education gave me confidence; my professors gave me hope; my friends gave me life; and my career has given me a beautiful life!

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: I wish we had the new campus! We had classes in trailers. When the A/C wasn’t working, we’d look for a big tree and meet underneath it. Our Quantity Food Production courses were held in the UCF student cafeteria. Almost everyone in our class worked full-time; yet, we were all close and enjoyed the experience.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Our classes with celebrity chefs were amazing. Executive Chefs from Universal Studios and Ming Court allowed us to deliver a world class experience to nearly 100 guests. Thank you to Abe Pizam, Robert Ashley & Ady Milman for being such visionaries.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Manny’s (it was a big deal then), Sonny’s BBQ (they were just getting started) and Hard Rock Café -- burgers, beer and rock & roll: what’s not to like?

q: On your iPod?

a: Every genre on earth … I love it ALL!

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I shoveled snow for 28 hours straight, attempting to beat a Guinness World Book record. I was only 14 years old.

Randi Torbert '03

Senior Sales Manager,
Grande Lakes Orlando

(Maiden name: Randi Cohan)

q: What do you do?

a: I am a Senior Sales Manager for both The Ritz-Carlton & JW Marriott Orlando, with my main goal being to book corporate and association group business. My territory includes association, corporate and SMERF business, out of the Southeast between 51-300 rooms on a peak night. I handle everything from the initial contact through the signing of the contract. My normal day includes responding to client RFPs, working on proposals, conducting site visits, traveling to see clients or negotiating contracts.

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

a: When the client signs the contract! The process can be long and working out the details of a successful contract can be tedious. It is always a great feeling, however, when both the client and myself can agree upon terms that are mutually beneficial.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Today's economy has made all of our jobs more challenging. Meeting planners' budgets are being scruitinized further and everyone is looking for the best deal.

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

a: Lindsay Dorf '03, Kelly McGann '03, and all of the alums here at Grande Lakes Orlando.

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

a: Playing with my two little boys in the backyard or in the pool. Also, I go to most of the UCF football games!

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

a: Marrying my husband Brian, who is also a UCF graduate, and having my kids Alex (2 1/2) & Sean (10 months).

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

a: I was involved in a few social organizations which taught me how to network and build relationships. These skills are essential for sales.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: There could be a broader focus on some other careers within the hospitality industry. The curriculum was heavily focused on certain job tracks within restaurants and event management, but there are many specialized career niches that weren't presented to us.

q: A UCF memory?

a: My best memory is the surprise party my friends held for my 19th birthday. It was a great time filled with great laughs and good times. This is also the night I met my husband, who came to the party with a mutual friend.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: With the kids: Sweet Mama's - a great little place off of Narcoossee Road. Without the kids: Primo Restaurant - I love to order a warm bowl of Zeppoles with gelato on the side.

q: On your iPod?

a: Mostly Top 40.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I perfomed in the '99 Superbowl half-time show in Miami.

Lauren Staiano '09

Sales Manager,
Buca di Beppo

q: What do you do?

a: It is my job to create celebratory dining experiences for groups at Buca di Beppo in Maitland, Florida. This includes planning parties for weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. I also promote the restaurant at bridal shows, schools and to local groups. Maitland is a tight-knit social community that thrives on positive word of mouth and networking.

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

a: When potential clients come to the restaurant for tastings and a tour. The guests are what I am all about and interacting with them is what makes the job worthwhile. I apply knowledge from my UCF Event Management degree on a daily basis to help cater to their wishes. The largest group I have hosted to date was about 200 girls from a UCF sorority. Being that one of them was a current Rosen College student, she knew how to plan an event which made it a very easy to accommodate such a large group.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Making every client feel like he or she is your only client. Even smaller family groups of six or eight people can find important meaning in every single detail of their celebration, so I need to make sure I give them the time and attention they want while still focusing on the larger groups.

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

a: I talk to a few but most frequently I stay in touch with Mickey Grier '09 and Andrea Chinea '09.

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

a: Local restaurants and hotels; I love take advantage of what our wonderful city has to offer. I especially love going to wine tastings at the local wine bars.

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

a: Working out again. I severely injured my back exactly a year ago and was unable to do any physical activity until recently.

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

a: It gave me the opportunity to have hands-on experience and an understanding of the high level of professionalism that is needed in the hospitality industry. When attending conferences for associations, such as MPI and PCMA, you can truly see the difference between Rosen College students and those from other hospitality programs across the country.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: A mentoring program with Rosen alumni would be helpful to keep graduates involved, and would also benefit the students. Alumni could be a great resource for group project assistance, property tours and job opportunities. Shadowing an alumnus in his or her job and getting one-on-one advice would be beneficial, especially in these economic times. Also, I think the program should have additional focus more on sales, and other career options for event management graduates. The students need to know how to think outside the box as far as event management job options.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Planning and executing the event for the Orlando Business Journal's Top 25 Caterers, for Elise Enloe's class. We showcased the degree tracks at Rosen College by making each area of the campus focus on one of them, including events, golf and club, theme parks and restaurant management. Each area had coordinating food, floral designs, entertainment and decor. The event was a great success and I enjoyed working with such a passionate team of Rosen students.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: It is hard to choose a favorite but I love the Old Hickory Steakhouse at the Gaylord Palms, and Timpano Chop House.

q: On your iPod?

a: A little of everything. My favorites are Frank Sinatra, Lil Wayne, Phil Collins, Taylor Swift and anything Disney.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: My long-term goal is to open an Italian restaurant in memory of my grandparents. My grandparents immigrated from Italy to Miami where they owned and operated a small Italian restaurant. I plan to do this on a larger scale at the end of my career. This is more of a personal goal than a career goal, as it would be a combination of all my passions. I want to spend time compiling ideas and building a portfolio of the perfect restaurant and the ideal guest experience.