Doug Akers '07

Manager of Park Operations,
Universal Studios Singapore

q: What do you do?

a: Manage the team of people responsible for safe and efficient operations of all attractions, while focusing on guest service. Universal Studios Singapore is part of Resorts World Sentosa, one of the world’s most ambitious integrated family resort destinations, opening early next year. It features Southeast Asia’s first and only Universal Studios theme park, a casino, 1,800 rooms across six hotels, a Maritime Xperiential Museum, the world’s largest oceanarium and a host of entertaining, dining and retail options at FestiveWalk – its own version of ‘The Strip.’

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

a: Building a brand new theme park allows me to learn something new every single day. I draw from previous experiences, working with the team to improve previous processes and create all new ones. Being surrounded by some very talented and knowledgeable people in the theme park industry helps foster that learning process.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Building a new theme park itself is a challenge. We tend to take a lot for granted, especially when we come from a pre-existing facility. I learned the same thing opening Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach two years ago, but working on a project that is more than just a park has a whole new set of challenges and opportunities.

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

a: A lot of them in fact! Some are working with me here at Resorts World Sentosa; others I see at events such as AIMS and IAAPA. Facebook is great tool for keeping in touch with Rosen alums and seeing what's happening in Orlando or wherever in the world they have ended up with their hospitality careers.

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

a: There's time outside of work when opening a park? I can be found down around Clarke Quay Bridge hanging out with some expat friends, travelling if I can find a cheap one or two day adventure, or hanging out around Singapore, sightseeing with my Singaporean friends from Resorts World Sentosa.

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

a: Getting to see the world. This is the third continent I've had the opportunity to live on for an extended period of time. Experiencing different cultures has been an amazing opportunity and I'm glad to have the opportunity to grab my book bag and a ticket and see where the adventure takes me.

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

a: Rosen College truly did prepare me...not just by studying theories, philosophy, or equations, but with hands-on training and real world examples from the professors. Despite how hard they were during college, the group projects taught me about team dynamics, balancing time, and working with all different types of people.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: I think the program is great, as long as the courses continue to keep up with the ever-changing industry and trends. Rosen uses its current students to provide open feedback, sharing experiences and situations that they're experiencing in their roles within the industry.

q: A UCF memory?

a: The FTPLA trip to California the year I was president of FTPLA -- just good times with a great group of people exploring SFMM, DL, DCA and Knotts, running across six-lane roads to get to Taco Bell, getting off the wrong exit coming back from SFMM, and lots more stories. If you understand those acronyms then you know the adventures that occurred!

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Chipotle, I miss it over here!

q: On your iPod?

a: All sorts of randomness, from DMX to FloRida to Beach Boys to Theme Park Soundtracks.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I'm nerdy. I spend hours upon hours working in a theme park, and then head home and play Roller Coaster Tycoon.

Chuck '03, Ivan '02 & Damon '07

Proprietors,
The Downtown PourHouse

Partners Damon Jerden '07, Chuck Zell '03 & Ivan Isolica '02

(Damon studied Entrepreneurship in the College of Business)

q: What do you do?

All: Run Orlando's newest bar located at 20 South Orange Ave (next to Jimmy John's and across from Pita Pit), scheduled to open in early December '09. Since signing the lease on September 21, we've personally done a lot of the work on the interior with finishings in stone and pecky cedar. It's comfortable, not too clubby or loungy, and we'll also be open for lunch.

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

Chuck: Working with my friends, and our relationship with each other.
Ivan: Learning the system, and what goes into building a bar.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

Chuck: The permitting process; being at the City's mercy.
Ivan: Being away from my wife and kids.

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

All: Many including Justin Hermey '02 and Eric Isolica '02, as well as professors Bob Ashley, Dr. Bill Fisher and Dr. Chris Muller.

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

Chuck: Downtown.
Ivan: At home.
Damon: All of the above.

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

Chuck: Starting a vodka company. If Bacardi buys it, I'll retire.
Ivan: My wife and kids, who are ages 13, three and two years old.
Damon: Staying in touch with my high school and college friends.

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

Chuck: The hands on-experience including the Quantity Food Preparation class and Chris Muller's class where we created our own restaurant concept were a big help in this venture as well as my career at T.G.I. Friday's and Rhythm & Flo, my previous bar.
Damon: Meeting all kinds of people with different personalities, and experiencing different cultures, prepared me for this industry.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

Chuck and Ivan: It didn't include the entrepreneurship part of the puzzle, which is most of what we do every day. The curriculum should include: raising funds for your venture, different types of taxation, promissory notes and leases, permitting and inspections.

q: A UCF memory?

Chuck: Football games and tailgating.
Ivan: My cool professors, who I've found out since I graduated are even cooler than I thought.
Damon: Our fraternity, ΣΑΕ (all three are members).

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

Chuck: The black and blue sandwich at Brix.
Ivan: Sushi at Amura.
Damon: Sushi at Fuji Sushi.

q: On your iPod?

Chuck: Country and Classic Rock.
Ivan: Everything but Heavy Metal.
Damon: Everything but Hip Hop.

q: Little known fact about you?

Chuck: I'm a UCF legacy. My dad graduated from UCF in 1972.
Ivan: I have a twin brother, who also has a hospitality degree from UCF.
Damon: I'm passionate about learning.

Brandee Gaar '01

Owner,
Blush by Brandee Gaar
Maiden Name: Brandee Simmons

q: What do you do?

a: I've owned my own event planning business for two and a half years. We plan mostly weddings but also other special events. I work about 50 hours a week but most of it is from home and on my own schedule.

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

a: Seeing my couples' faces when they see their ballroom for the first time.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Keeping up with the demand.

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

a: Alison Watkins '02 who works with me at Blush, Jen Sandler Rosenthal '06, Kristi Moschos Johnson '05 and Jen Johnson '08.

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

a: With my kids, Emma and Hannah, and my husband.

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

a: Staying involved with organizations like the National Association of Catering Executives, and serving on the Event Management Advisory Board for Rosen College.

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

a: It helped me learn time management: to prioritize, set goals and accomplish!

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: More available parking.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Greek Week!

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: At Bonefish Grill, the Bang Bang Shrimp and a glass of Sonoma Cutrer.

q: On your iPod?

a: Toby Mac, Casting Crowns and Mandisa.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I'm very driven but deep down am goofy and love to take risks. Don't talk about it...do it!

Joe Walker '06

Account Executive,
PSAV Presentation Services,
Hawaii Event Services Division

q: What do you do?

a: I'm an Account Executive for the one of the largest world-wide audiovisual services providers. My primary duties are to solicit business to new clients, maintain strong relationships with past clients, and improve the overall business development for my region. I mainly handle larger association and corporate business. Aside from my normal duties I get assigned regional projects. For example, most recently I was on the opening team for the brand new St. Regis Princeville Resort on the island of Kauai and I got to live in the hotel for a month.

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

a: Being on the show site and watching my hard work and planning finally come to life. It's always a good feeling to see the finished product and a happy client.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Being on an island. The wheels of progress turn a lot slower in Hawaii than they do in Orlando. Planning must be done extra carefully as you have to prepare for many possible external forces slowing you down. It can take me up to three days to get a piece of equipment that would take me less than two hours to get in Orlando.

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

a: Not too many since moving away from Orlando. I do still keep in touch with Jennifer Grant '06 who is about to finish Florida Hospital's Radiology program.

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

a: At the beach, hiking a trail, searching for elusive geocaches, or on an airplane because I'm always trying to feed my travel bug.

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

a: Picking up and moving almost 5,000 miles away from where I'm most comfortable. It's been great to be able to explore all the things that the Hawaiian Islands have to offer, especially the things that you would never see on vacation.

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

a: Aside from all the great teaching and hands-on experience that we got, I think the thing that best prepared me for what I do was the countless number of presentations that we had to do in every single class. I do lots of presentations for potential clients and now I see the relevance of doing them while at Rosen.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: A lot of the classes taught very similar if not exactly the same information. The faculty should get together and make sure that their teaching plans differentiate enough to be able to better stimulate the class.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Beverage Management with Professor Ashley. Hands down best class ever. Learned a lot and had a lot of fun doing it. Another great memory was when the UCF Football team broke their losing 17-game streak against Marshall and we all rushed the field at the Citrus Bowl.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: There are way too many great meals in Orlando but one that I miss the most frequently is blackened chicken flautas from Tijuana Flats, more specifically the one on Kirkman Road in Metro West.

q: On your iPod?

a: The Fratellis, The Kooks, The White Tie Affair, Owl City, The Living End and the list goes on for days.

q: Little known fact about you?

a:I love to bowl. I'm very bowling deprived on Maui. There's only one alley with eight lanes, and the owners only open it when they feel like it.

Puja Sabnani '08

Group Reservations Coordinator,
JW Marriott Hotel Miami

q: What do you do?

a: I'm in charge of all group rooming lists for three properties: the JW Marriott Miami, Miami Marriott Dadeland and the Courtyard Miami Dadeland. I'm also involved with forecasting, evaluating group business, and assisting sales managers in quoting rates based on analysis of the hotel's occupancy.

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

a: Knowing that I have a team of people who will work together to make the hotel succeed. It's a joy to work with people who you know care about you, personally and professionally.  My department is very flexible and invested in my growth – both in the company and in the revenue industry. Outside my department, I have colleagues who often go the extra mile to help me with projects.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Keeping rates high enough for our standard of hotel, yet competitive enough that groups don't choose other properties.

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

a: Melissa Glazier '06 and Lauren Frazer '08, not as many as I’d like ...

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

a: At the gym or at happy hour in Downtown Miami catching up with friends.

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

a: UCF taught me how to be independent yet know when to ask for help. The professors at Rosen College always had an open door policy. They were there for you when you needed them and served as a bouncing board for ideas. The hospitality industry is heavily-centered around teams and teamwork. By keeping my door open, and my mind open to new ideas and projects, I often find better ways to complete tasks, and am more willing to help others with their challenges. Having an open door/mind shows other people that you are willing to see things from their perspective and that there may be two correct approaches. It helps you gain the respect of veteran associates.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: I wish someone told me how important it was to join on-campus organizations. I was part of LEAD Scholars at UCF Main campus. Joining other groups could have significantly helped when it came to networking and finding employment. I really urge the undergraduates to join an association or organization where they can make and keep friends who will help them in the future. It’s extremely cliché but the more people you know in this industry, the better!

q: A UCF memory?

a: One of the best/craziest memories I have of UCF is tailgating in 104° weather for the first game of the season with the new stadium. I remember barbequing waffles on the grill on Memory Mall without a tent, lying under tables for shade and three of our friends getting heatstroke. Then at the game itself, the intensity and newness of it all was incredible. That football season was phenomenal. I will never be able to listen to Zombie Nation without wanting to jump up and down again.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Thai in the Sky – the Thai Restaurant opposite UCF where Pie In the Sky used to be. Also, Tijuana Flats. They need to branch out to Miami, I’d single-handedly keep them in business—okay, so that’s exaggerating a tiny bit...

q: On your iPod?

a: Lady Gaga… or anything with a beat that gets you moving and grooving.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I love listening to NPR news in the morning on my way to work. Nerdy, right?!.

Fabio Silva '05

Director of Sales and Marketing,
Bright Internet Marketing

q: What do you do?

a: Run an Internet marketing company. We provide consulting and tools to help companies move up the rankings in Google and other search engines. I worked in hotel operations for about seven years, at Gaylord Palms and then Reunion Resort, which is where I originally started a web site to help our concierge search out the best restaurants and businesses. When Reunion was sold, I launched my own company and recently expanded it beyond hospitality to include all businesses, and Florida Hospital is now one of our major clients. It was a quick ride from graduation to where I am today.

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

a: Interacting with people. One day I can be meeting with a doctor, and later with a small business owner who tells me the story of starting his or her company. 

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Cold calls. It's how I spend most of my time, typically prospecting Tuesday through Thursday. Monday I catch up on current business. Fridays I'll often golf with clients or prospective clients.

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

a: A large number of them, who still work at Gaylord Palms and Reunion Resort. Also Kathy King who works at Rosen College, and adjunct professors Judy Holcomb and Kris Shoemaker.

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

a: With my wife and my one year old son. They're why I do what I do.

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

a: My family. My wife and I have been together 10 years this month. I'm blessed for what I have at home. Everyone needs a support system to be motivated to get up and go to work each day.

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

a: I was always two steps ahead. I already knew the technical side of working at a hotel, so became a manager while still going to UCF. I was then applying what I learned at UCF to become an even better manager.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: The co-op program didn't necessarily work for my situation since I worked the number of required internship hours in one semester, but still had to pay tuition for three semesters. Also, some of the required classes could be changed. For instance, food prep - I didn't need to learn to cook and won't use what I learned.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Playing on the UCF Men's Soccer team. It was an honor as an International student from Brazil to receive a soccer scholarship. Eventually I had to choose between the team and working full-time though. It was a step back to step forward.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Steak - either Texas de Brazil or Old Hickory at Gaylord Palms. I'm simple when it comes to food.

q: On your iPod?

a: Everything...from Samba to Michael Jackson to Lady Gaga to Jason Mraz.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I had reconstructive plastic surgery on my face. Playing soccer, I broke all the bones on the left side of my face. No one would ever guess.

Byron Loper '04

General Manager,
Ice Magic

q: What do you do?

a: Sell decorative ice sculptures and wireless lighted décor for corporate and social parties. This includes tables, chairs, dance floors, bars, buffets and whatever else you can imagine (see photo background). We donate décor to the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation's Black Tie and Tennies Gala, and you can also see our ice creations at ICEBAR Orlando. I deal primarily with meeting planners at destination management companies, not directly with companies themselves.

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

a: No two parties are ever the same!

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: You only need food and drink to make a party happen. Everything else, including décor, can be considered "fluff"; If it's not a necessity to have a lighted table, it can be cut from the budget. Also, in this economy, we learn of changes in quantity and event schedules at the last minute.

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

a: Dr. Mary Jo Ross, who had a big influence on me. After I took her Introduction to Hospitality course, I changed my major to hospitality.

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

a: At the golf course or a sporting event.

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

a: Co-producing the 2009 WOW Awards, and also being nominated for the Rising Star Award for Event Solutions magazine.

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

a: It gave me contacts and resources, and the co-op work experience is incredibly valuable. Without that, graduates would need to start out as bellmen or busboys. After interning here at Ice Magic, I was hired on full-time after graduation.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: Not having to drive so much! If the location were closer to Main Campus, it would have been more convenient for the students. At the time I went to UCF, there wasn't on-campus housing at Rosen.

q: A UCF memory?

a: The friendships, contacts and relationships I made.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The sea bass and chocolate soufflé at HUE.

q: On your iPod?

a: I don't have an iPod. I listen to Country and Sports Radio.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I'm a Fifth Generation Tampa Native.

Jen Rosenthal '06

Catering Manager,
Rosen Shingle Creek

B.S., Hospitality Management '06 & M.S., Hospitality and Tourism Management '09

(Maiden Name: Jen Sandler)

q: What do you do?

a: I manage all "life event" celebrations at Shingle Creek Resort, including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, bar/bat mitzvahs and retirements. Most of the events are weddings, as we average about 45 weddings a year. I handle everything start-to-finish including sales, banquet event orders, and helping implement all the details, usually in conjunction with a wedding coordinator.

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

a: Every day is different and so is every event. One example was a couple who met in an airplane terminal when their planes were late, so their entire wedding was airplane-themed. They had luggage tags for place cards and airline tickets for their "save the date" cards. Another couple had Lionel Ritchie play at their wedding and we had to coordinate extravagant lighting and electrical. I really do enjoy my job.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Dealing with different personalities and cultures, which all negotiate differently.

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

a: Jackie Becker '08, Courtney Beckwith '04, Gary Deel '07, Francesca Fistner '08, Amanda Hayes '07, Rebecca Maxwell '05, Ann McAuliffe '06, Sonny Shaffer '08, Brandee Simmons Garr '01 and Alison Watkins '02.

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

a: With my husband and playing with my dogs, a collie and a border collie.

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

a: Getting married and completing graduate school.

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

a:My sorority, Chi Omega, taught me how to deal with different personality types. People ask how I can deal with stressed out brides every day. Well, drama just rolls off my back after being surrounded by girls for four years.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: More parking. I took my master's classes at night, so when I'd get to campus the parking lot would already be full.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Homecoming was always fun filled and spirited. Also beer class with Ed Measom. I learned so many fun facts about beer that I use when working with clients today. It was a relaxed way to bond with the other students.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The Grilled Hearts of Romaine Salad with Warmed Goat Cheese and Palm Sugar Vinaigrette with the Blackened Seabass with Cilantro Buerre Blanc from A Land Remembered, at the Shingle Creek.

q: On your iPod?

a: It's all over the place: Josh Groban, OAR, Dave Matthews Band, AFI and oh, let's check what's playing right now (she pulled out her iPod)....Sublime.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I'm a Canadian citizen.

John Brooks '07

Sales Manager,
Hilton Orlando

q: What do you do?

a: I initiate new sales leads, prospect and qualify leads, solicit and entertain clients, conduct site visits, prepare proposals, determine rates and negotiate contracts for the brand new 1400-room Hilton Orlando which opened September 1, 2009. I started here in July and in just over 90 days was promoted from Conference Sales Manager to Sales Manager. 

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

a: I take pride in developing sales plans and strategies to meet or exceed revenue and room night goals. I like the fast pace, and interacting with people. Sales is a very high risk, high reward industry that I truly enjoy.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: The economy's killing face to face meetings. Executives are concerned with the perception of people inside and outside their organization when they invest in meetings, but in reality now is the time they need to get together and discuss how they can turn their companies around. The economy is also hurting rate integrity.

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

a: Brandon Geers '08 and Arin Sugerman Council '04.

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

a: Spending time with my fiancé (Lucia Soven, UCF Radio/TV '06), playing golf or playing with my dog, Cody.

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

a: Getting engaged and buying a house.

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

a: Public speaking helped prepare me for face-to-face interaction with clients and colleagues. All of the group work was so relevant because in the real world 90% of everything is done on a team, and it helps me work with my sales team every day.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: Hospitality is a broad subject. A wider variety of courses besides restaurants and hotels would have been refreshing. However, I was part of the inaugural group that took courses originally in the Classroom Building at Main Campus, and then moved over to the new Rosen College. Since then the enrollment has increased dramatically, so I'm sure there are more types of courses than when I attended.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Meeting my fiancé, spending time with friends and fraternity life (Lambda Chi). Also, meeting Donna Kelly from the Hilton Orlando. Donna came to speak to my Convention Sales course at Rosen College taught by Kathie Canning from the OCCC. I stayed after class and introduced myself. I stayed in touch and told her it was my goal to work at the Hilton Orlando. She's the Director of Sales who hired me and now I work with her every day.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Texas de Brazil.

q: On your iPod?

a: I don't have an iPod. I'm too busy!

q: Little known fact about you?

a: It took me six years to graduate from UCF...never give up!

Don Richardson '89

Vice President and General Manager,
Station Casinos, Inc.

Don has two UCF degrees: B.S., Hospitality Management '89 and MBA '94

q: What do you do?

a: Among my many responsibilities are financial performance of the property to which I'm General Manager, ensuring guest service and satisfaction, and team member satisfaction. I've been with Station Casinos since February 2003 and my work weeks are 60 to 70 hours long.

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

a: Mentoring and challenging Team Leaders to help them meet their professional goals.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Surviving in a down economy in the gambling industry, which is tourist-based.

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

a: Attending concerts.

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

a: Staying a bachelor.

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

a: It taught me how to work with various types of people, solve problems presented daily, and I learned the technical side of the hospitality industry.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Working with my fellow classmates to plan, create and serve a gourmet dinner to industry leaders.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Boston's Fish House.

q: On your iPod?

a: Def Leppard, Classic Rock and Reggae.

Gary Deel '07

Assistant Director of Security,
Rosen Shingle Creek

q: What do you do?

a: Help manage the loss prevention and emergency procedures for a 350-acre resort property with over $1 billion in assets; this includes overseeing 70 staff members, five supervisors and six managers.

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

a: Working with the people here, and making a difference in their careers whether they get promoted here or go on to another organization. I'm blessed to have a great team under me.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: My age. Some people, as human nature has it, will naturally view me as a ‘23 year-old kid’ rather than an industry professional. I'm managing people who have been leaders in this industry for 15-20 years and are two to three times my age, so the situation requires an enormous amount of tact and humility. 

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

a: Jen Sandler Rosenthal '06 who works here at Shingle Creek and my fiancé, Ilyssa Backer '04 who works at Rosen Centre.

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

a: I'm currently in law school four nights a week, plus finishing my master's degree at Rosen. I teach Introduction to Hospitality at Valencia College. Also, I'm involved in Kung Fu.

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

a: Receiving a full-ride scholarship to Florida A & M law school. It's an honor.

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

a: Learning the fundamentals of the hospitality industry. Basically, I'm running the security for a small city of 1500 people which include all kinds of positions: engineers, golf course maintenance people, waitresses, chemical specialists, chefs, finance professionals, spa technicians, etc....there are so many job categories and I understand their functions because of my degree. In a career setting, I would have to work 3-4 lifetimes in this business to know how everyone works together, but learned this overview quickly - completing my bachelor's degree in just three years total.

q:How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: I finished my course work for the master's in a year and change, but the thesis process is more complicated than was advertised, and has cost me several additional semesters of time and tuition above and beyond what was anticipated. I have enjoyed working with Dr. Denver Severt, though, who is the head of my thesis committee.

q: A UCF memory?

a: ‘The Squirrel Song’ as written, composed and performed by Dr. Denver Severt haha.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Sushi at Oishi on the corner of I-Drive and Central Florida Pkwy. Hands down…the best!

q: On your iPod?

a: Frank Sinatra...chairman of the board!! And All Time Low when I need to stay awake or work out, etc.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I’ll be the CEO of one of the world’s largest hotel companies within 15 years….but that’s top secret…don’t tell anyone! ;)