Rachael Vogel '05

Director of Corporate Catering & Special Events,

Levan's Catering

q: What do you do?

a: Manage all planning of corporate and social events. This includes the menu, logistics and set-up. About 70% of our events are weddings, but the sky's the limit on what I could be working on! Right now, it ranges from a Super Bowl party at a private residence...to a formal plated lunch for 575 people at the UCF Student Union.

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

a: Every event is different. It's not the same banquet and awards ceremony year after year. I love how trends change too. For instance, Tiffany Blue was big in weddings for a while. Lately we see brides thinking outside the box, with colors as non-traditional as black with neon.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: The economy. I've worked here five years and many corporate clients would hold the same extravagant holiday parties every December. Now they tell us they're having a potluck so don't need our services. People are of course still getting married, but on much smaller budgets than I saw earlier in my career.

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

a: Julie Noda '05, Brittany Andrews '08, Holly Steinebronn '07 and Tanya Weir Irizarry '08, who also works at Levan's.

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

a: Out-and-about...Downtown with friends, or traveling.

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

a: Five years out of college, I know who I am and where I want to go.

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

a: The course content was geared toward our industry. For instance, I could have taken Financial Accounting anywhere, but the examples used at Rosen are specifically for concepts and procedures used in hotels, restaurants and clubs.

q: Your favorite class?

a: Exploring Wines of the World, Quantity Food Production and Hospitality Law. Rosemary Krebs who taught the law class really made you think; for example, if eight guests cram into a hotel room booked for two people, are they really all "guests" and where does the business' liability begin and end?

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: Incorporate more alumni guest speakers who are successful in their careers but been out of school 10 years or less. Vice presidents of big companies have information to share about the industry, but students can relate more with younger professionals. It would be helpful to learning the day-to-day operations in the jobs and departments where they'll find themselves after graduation.

q: A UCF memory?

a: My friends. I was born and raised in Gainesville so 100% of my friends I have here in Orlando are those I made at UCF.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The filet at Del Frisco's, but I'm always up for sushi.

q: On your iPod?

a: I have an iHome alarm clock hooked to my iPod with a random shuffle, so I never know if I'll wake up to a country song or Old School Rap. I listen to everything depending on my mood; when I have lots of work to do and a need for adrenalin, I'll play Rock or Alternative at my desk.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: My new hobby is making jewelry, and I've already sold a few pieces. Like my job, I love that I'm hands-on - it keeps me busy and uses my creativity.

Julie Noda '05

Owner and CEO,

Something Borrowed Weddings & Events

q: What do you do?

a: I'm a full-service wedding consultant - handling all of the details from "I will" to "I do." After having managed events at the Orange County Regional History Center and the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, it's a pleasure to be on the opposite end, representing the client. I problem-solve to get everything done according to the bride's plan. My job is to put out fires before they happen, making sure everyone can relax and enjoy the big day!

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

a: I get to be there for someone's special day. It feels like I'm part of their family for a day and it's a truly rewarding experience.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Adapting to different personalities.

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

a: Brittany Andrews '08, Holly Steinebronn '07, Kim Hawkes '07, Jason Ring '07, Adam Bailey '05, Rachael Vogel '05 and Rachel Perez '07.

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

a: I love to cook, so in the kitchen or at the Farmer's Market. I'm even going to the Food and Wine Festival in Miami. I also could be Downtown having brunch with friends.

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

a: Being my own boss and setting my own rules.

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

a: My internship at The History Center set me on the path to meeting the right people. I got keyed into the industry and involved in organizations like NACE, ISES and ABC.

q: Your favorite class?

a: Hospitality Law with Rosemary Krebs was interesting and engaging. Catering Management with Kim Severt was hands-on, so most helpful to what I do every day. We learned the details of running an event, like table settings.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: More hands-on experience; instead of mock events in a controlled environment, the students should be working on more real-life events. The first time you tell a client they're in attrition, that's experience. Also, the guest speakers were older and very established in their careers. A mentor program with alumni who are just a few years out of school would be helpful, to help set realistic career expectations.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Roadtrips and, of course, football. Even now we're season ticket holders. It's fun to see how everything's grown with the new stadium and the hospitality program too. When I did my orientation as a Hospitality major, it was just me and one other student.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The Super Crunch Roll at Amura.

q: On your iPod?

a: Anything but Rock. Happy, upbeat music - songs where you can understand the words, that have a good beat.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I fell down the stairs of the stage after receiving my high school diploma. Thankfully my UCF graduation went well and so has everything since.

Jason Ring '07

Event Services Manager,
Hilton Orlando

q: What do you do?

a: I manage the convention floor while groups are in house. I ensure all meeting rooms and food functions are set to the clients' specifications. I’m described to the clients as an extension of all the departments in the hotel, so essentially I’m a one-stop-shop for the planner with any needs they may have while here.

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

a: I love being able to work closely with all the departments in the hotel. I’ve developed some great relationships with so many people and continually learn something new every day. I work with everyone from housekeeping to AV to the front office to the General Manager every day.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: I don’t actually plan any part of the meetings. Rather, I’m on the floor ensuring everything is executed flawlessly. With so many areas and meeting planners involved, it can become rather challenging trying to get everything done right while also learning about the program as you go. There’s only so much pre-work I can do on the program, so I’m constantly having to think on my feet and stay one step ahead of the group to make sure they get everything they need.

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

a: Yes! Julie Noda '05, Marissa Moore '07, John Brooks '07, Holly Steinebronn '07, Shannon Fleshman '07 and Valerie Teman '06.

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

a: In Downtown Orlando. Whether at a Wine Bar, a club, Farmers' Market or Sunday brunch, I LOVE Downtown Orlando!

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

a: Skydiving and Bungee Jumping in New Zealand.

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

a: Working with so many different personalities and having to figure out how to make those relationships work. I hated that we had so many team projects; however, looking back, it was the most valuable experience because it taught me to work with all types of people.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: I would have liked to see more hands-on experience and less textbook-style learning. I learned very quickly that "experiences" trump everything else in this industry, so the more Rosen can offer...the better.

q: A UCF memory?

a: I was nominated for Homecoming King in 2006 and that whole week was so amazing. The best part was driving onto the field for the last Homecoming at the Citrus Bowl. I was just so proud to be a Knight at that moment.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: BBQ Ribs at Houston's in Winter Park.

q: On your iPod?

a: A little of everything! Currently? LMFAO, Maroon 5, Rent, and Carrie Underwood…told you I was eclectic!

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I sang with a performance troupe at the White House for President Clinton’s Christmas party.

Brittany Andrews '08

Sales and Special Event Coordinator,
Orange County Regional History Center

q: What do you do?

a: I sell and service small to large corporate and social events including holiday parties, meetings, outside festivals, class reunions, filmings and fundraisers. Our building was the Orange County courthouse until the year 1997 and the former courtroom is a favorite spot for attorneys to get married. They love to talk about their memories of what happened in that room.

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

a: Getting the opportunity to work on every type of event possible. I'm not just limited to social or corporate clients and never know what I'm going to be working on next. Seeing a bride happy at the end of her wedding night is a great feeling too.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Working in an organization that's both a non-profit and a museum. Educating our community about local and different types of history is its focus, so events and rentals are never the primary concern. My department needs to be very creative when trying to "sell" the building.

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

a: Yes, Laura Ball '07, Kelly Dunn '08, Julie Noda '05, Jackie Scherer '08, Holly Steinebronn '07, Jamie Wagner '08 and Erica Yerton '08.

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

a: Downtown. I try not to move my car out of the Solaire garage.

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

a: Living Downtown and being able to walk to work in five minutes. It's amazing!

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

a: I started working with the History Center three years ago, volunteering at an event for a class project in "The Event Industry" class. The mandatory volunteer assignments and three internships play a critical role in helping you become successful in the industry. I'm thankful the teachers encouraged the students be involved with networking organizations, which becomes even more important after graduation.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: There should be more of a connection with Main Campus and Rosen. I missed the real college experience. Rosen students should be given the opportunity to help plan and produce some of the events that take place on Main Campus.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Tailgating at the Citrus Bowl. Those were the best times

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The Bubba and Crunch rolls at Amura.

q: On your iPod?

a: Anything and everything. There are very few types of music that I don't like.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I love playing and watching football!

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.