Academics

August 24

Michael D. Johnson
Dean and E. M. Statler Professor, School of Hotel Administration

Michael D. Johnson is the sixth dean of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. The School’s mission can be summed up in two words – hospitality leadership. Through a commitment to excellence in teaching, research and industry collaboration, the Hotel School occupies a unique position as the premier institution for educating future leaders in the hospitality industry. Since its founding in 1922, the Hotel School has produced an elite group of corporate leaders and entrepreneurs who take hospitality in new directions around the globe. This is Dr. Johnson’s second year as Dean after a distinguished career at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business where his research and teaching focused on how companies compete in a global service economy.
Watch the webcast

August 31

Eric Resnick
Managing Director, KSL Capital Partners, LLC

Mr. Resnick heads KSL Capital Partners, LLC, a private equity fund with more than $1 billion in committed capital. The firm makes investments in travel and leisure businesses, including the hospitality, recreation, clubs, real estate, and travel services sectors. Notable holdings include ClubCorp, Inc., the Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa on Maui, the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, and San Diego's Hotel del Coronado.  Mr. Resnick has extensive experience in the ownership and active management of hotel, resort, and leisure properties. He is involved in all aspects of the fund, including fundraising, acquisitions and investments, and asset management.
Watch the webcast

September 7

Robert J. McCarthy
President, North American Lodging Operations & Global Brand Management, Marriott International

As President of North American Lodging Operations and Global Brand Management for Marriott International, Mr. McCarthy is responsible for the company’s nearly 2,500-property North American hotel division and a workforce of 100,000 associates. He started his 30-year career with Marriott as a waiter while attending college and has advanced through the company to the position he holds today. In addition to serving as President of North American Lodging Operations and Global Brand Management, Mr. McCarthy is also chair of the newly-created North American Lodging Leadership Council, which focuses on implementing business strategies and optimizing collaboration across all functions.
Watch the webcast

September 14

Pablo Azcarraga '85
COO and Member of the Board, Grupo Posadas

Grupo Posadas is the largest hotel operator in Mexico and Latin America, with 99 hotels and more than 18,000 rooms on beachfronts and city tourist districts.  Each year, Grupo Posadas welcomes more than 2 million guests to its properties. During Mr. Azcarraga’s 15 years with the company, he has been responsible for developing the competitive advantages to fortify Grupo Posadas’ leadership in Latin America. In addition, he has been a leader in the growth and design of new hotels in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile.
Watch the webcast

September 28

John P. Rijos '75
Co-President, Brookdale Senior Living, Inc.

Brookdale Living Communities, Inc. is one of the nation’s leading providers of senior and assisted living services.  As Co-President, Mr. Rijos has led Brookdale through an incredible period of growth.  He has over 30 years of experience in acquisition, development, and operations of hotels and resorts. Before joining Brookdale, Mr. Rijos served as President and COO of Lane Hospitality Group. He sits on a number of tourism boards and committees for companies such as Holiday Inn, Sheraton Hotels, and the City of Chicago.
Watch the webcast

October 12

Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos '85
Principal and Director of Marketing, Flag Luxury Properties

Paul Kanavos
Founding Partner, Chairman and CEO, Flag Luxury Properties

Paul and Dayssi Kanavos co-founded Flag Finance in 1993 which assembled and developed what is now The Ritz-Carlton South Beach hotel.  In 1996, as a successor company to Flag Finance, Mr. Kanavos formed Flag Luxury Properties with the vision to own and develop branded world class hotels, residential properties, and gaming assets. Through strategic partnerships and innovative architectural execution, the company has flourished.  Current developments include The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach , The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club and Spa, Jupiter, the St. Regis Resort-Temenos Anguilla and 18 acres of land in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.  Recently Flag Luxury entered into an agreement with CKx Corporation to form and co-own FX Real Estate and Entertainment which will develop entertainment themed real estate projects. As a Principal and the Director of Marketing for the company, Ms. Olarte de Kanavos combines her marketing efforts with her philanthropic efforts, which benefit a number of organizations including the New Yorkers For Children, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and the Wildlife Conservation Society. 

October 19

David B. Pollin '90
President, The Buccini / Pollin Group, Inc.

Gregory J. Miller '84
Co-CEO and President, PM Hospitality Strategies, Inc.

Mr. Pollin leads The Buccini/Pollin Group, a full-service real estate acquisition, development, and management company.  Founded in 1993, the company has assets of over $2.2 billion through the development and acquisition of hotel, office, multi-family, townhouse, industrial, retail, and parking properties in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.  Mr. Miller heads the hotel management affiliate of The Buccini/Pollin Group – PM Hospitality Strategies (PMHS).  Launched in 1995, PMHS manages all of The Buccini/Pollin Group's hotel assets, which include 12 hotels and over 2000 rooms under the Hilton, Marriott, and Comfort Inn & Suites franchises.
Watch the webcast

October 26

Mel Zuckerman
Founder & Chairman, Canyon Ranch

Jerry Cohen
Vice Chairman & CEO, Canyon Ranch

Since 1979, Canyon Ranch has set the standard for health resorts around the world. Mr. Zuckerman, who was recently named one of America's 25 Most Fascinating Entrepreneurs by Inc Magazine, still leads the company today, almost 30 years after he put his entire life's earnings on the line to build the Tucson location. Mr. Cohen serves on the Board of Directors for the Destination Spa Group.  They followed the Tucson Resort with Canyon Ranch Lenox, in the Berkshire Mountains and in Miami Beach, with additional locations at the Venetian, the Gaylord Palms, and on board the luxury ocean liner QM2.  The company is a 10-time winner of the Condé Nast Traveler Best Destination Spa Award.
Watch the webcast

November 2

Grace Leo '77
President & CEO, G.L.A. Hotels

Grace Leo founded GLA Hotels in 1985 with the vision to establish the company as the "haute couture" of the hotel industry.  With over 33 properties in 10 countries, GLA Hotels has become a fixture in the luxury hotel market, specializing in the development, refurbishment, and management of independent hotels.  Properties include Discovery at Marigot Bay in St. Lucia, the Ananda-Himalaya in India, the Lancaster in Paris, and the Evason Phuket in Thailand.
Watch the webcast

November 9

Catalina D. Ganis '85
Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Elliot Executive Source Ltd., and Senior Vice President, Elliot Associates, Inc., Divisions of the Elliot Group, LLC

The Elliot Group provides retained executive search and consulting services to companies in the hospitality, food service, retail, and manufacturing industries. Since joining the company in 1988, Ms. Ganis has served in various capacities, including Vice President of Administration. She is a Founding Board Member of the Multicultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance (MFHA) and served as Chair from 2004 to 2007. Additionally, Ms. Ganis is a member of the Women’s Foodservice Forum, and is active with the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) Westchester Chapter and the Chinese School of Southern Westchester.
Watch the webcast

November 16

Chris Canlis
Owner, Canlis Restaurant

Mark Canlis '97
Managing Owner, Canlis Restaurant

Brian Canlis '01
Director, Department of Adventure, Canlis Restaurant

Canlis is a Seattle institution that spans 57 years of history and three generations of the Canlis family, who pride themselves on creating a “second home for Seattleites – a meeting ground where milestones can be celebrated and honored.” Superior service, cuisine, wine, and ambiance are Canlis standards. Hospitality is its strategic advantage.  Established in 1950 by Peter Canlis and passed to Chris and Alice Canlis, the Canlis traditions are carried on by grandsons Mark and Brian Canlis.  Together, they have preserved the  traditions of this famous landmark while adding their creativity, energy and warmth to Canlis.  Recent awards and accolades include  being named one of America’s Top 50 Restaurants  by Gourmet Magazine, two nominations for the James Beard Award for Service Excellence, 11 Wine Spectator Grand Awards, and the coveted Four Diamond rating from AAA.
Watch the webcast

November 30

Donald W. Strang III '80
President and CEO, Strang Corporation

David E. Strang '82
Board Member, Strang Corporation; President and CEO, Chilgo LLC

Peter W. Strang '84
Executive Vice President, Strang Corporation

The Strang Corporation was founded in 1942 with the opening of a Howard Johnson Restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio.  Now, the Cleveland, Ohio-based company, with brothers Donald, David, and Peter at the helm, is a premier hospitality company with over $100 million of managed sales and over 3,000 employees in their restaurants spanning eight states.  In 1985, the Strang Corporation opened its first of eighty-six Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bars and was the third largest franchisee at the time of their sale in 2001.  The company's sister company, American Bread Company LLC operates twenty-four Panera Bread Bakery Cafes and is one of the system’s most successful franchisees.  Strang Corporation’s most recent acquisition was this past summer with the purchase of twenty-seven Applebee’s restaurants, which will be operated under the name Apple Two Associates, Inc.
Watch the webcast

Michael D. Johnson

Dean and E. M. Statler Professor, School of Hotel Administration

Prior to joining the Hotel School, Michael Johnson - the sixth dean of Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration - was the D. Maynard Phelps Collegiate Professor of Business Administration and Professor of Marketing at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Dean Johnson's research explores how customer information systems can be used to craft strategy and manage customer relationships.

Jay S. Witzel

President and CEO, Carlson Hotels Worldwide, and CEO, Regent Seven Seas Cruises

As the CEO, Jay Witzel leads the global strategies and growth of all of Carlson's hotel operations, which currently include more than 920 locations in 69 countries. He also oversees the company's award-winning cruise company, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, which includes four luxury vessels that have worldwide itineraries. With a wide range of leadership experience in both public and private hospitality companies, Mr. Witzel is noted for his depth of management expertise, including financial strategy, capital markets, operational structure, and change management. Prior to Carlson, Mr. Witzel served a 24-month tenure as COO of Extended Stay America, where he was responsible for the investment of $1.8 billion in new assets for the company.

Paul Foley '74

President and CEO, MAIR Holdings Inc.

Paul Foley helps lead the airline industry through MAIR Holdings and its primary business units, Mesaba Aviation and Big Sky Transportation. Prior to joining MAIR, Mr. Foley held a number of executive-level positions at airline and airline-related companies. He was vice president of operations at Atlas Air from December 1996 to September 1999, and group vice president of operations, North America, at LSG Lufthansa Service/Sky Chefs from January 1992 to December 1996. While he was a student at Cornell, Mr. Foley was recognized as a Cornell National Scholar for his leadership abilities. He also returned to Cornell for the 80th Annual Hotel Ezra Cornell as an industry leader on the panel, "Flying High for Years to Come."

Barbara Higgins '88

Director of Operations Integration, Disneyland Resort - Paris

As director of operations integration, Barbara Higgins combines all facets of hospitality to create a magical experience for her guests. Prior to working in Paris, Ms. Higgins worked in Hong Kong and Florida with Disneyland Resorts. In Florida, she was instrumental in developing and executing a disaster plan for the resort during the hurricanes of 2004. Her "Lessons Learned in the Aftermath of the Hurricanes of '04" became a featured Cornell Quarterly article, educating our industry through her own experience.

Paul Brown

President, Expedia, Inc. Partner Services Group

A pioneer in online distribution, Paul Brown leads Expedia in managing airline, hotel, car, tour operator, and supplier systems relationships across all global points of sale. To ensure supplier partners have a streamlined way to interact with Expedia, Mr. Brown provides efficient access to Expedia's diverse points of distribution. Having experience in consulting with McKinsey & Company and the Boston Consulting Group, strategic leadership with Intercontinental, and business development with Hotels.com, Mr. Brown leads the industry in online-travel intermediaries in the 21st century.

Russell Galbut '74

Managing Principal, Crescent Heights

Keith Menin '03

Owner, Sanctuary Hotel

As leaders of Crescent Heights, the nation's largest residential condominium company, Russell Galbut and Keith Menin help create stylish and innovative properties that set the standard in real estate markets. Expert at uncovering emerging real estate trends - from residential and hotel construction to redevelopment and adaptive re-use - Crescent Heights was recently awarded the Freddie Mac Multi-Family Development Firm of the Year Award by the National Association of Home Builders, the first time this honor has been bestowed on a condominium developer.

Dr. Sheila Johnson

CEO, Salamander Hospitality, LLC

This savvy businesswoman is not only the nation's first African American female billionaire but is also the visionary who co-founded BET and developed the Salamander Inn and Spa. In addition to being a very successful entrepreneur, Dr. Johnson is also an accomplished violinist, conductor, photographer, designer, philanthropist, and proud mother of two children. Among all her achievements, she still finds the time to give back to her community, supporting schools and colleges to promote the creativity of children through commitment to the arts.

Gary Mendell '79

Chairman and CEO, HEI Hospitality LLC

Stephen Mendell '82

Executive Vice President, Acquisitions and Development, HEI Hospitality LLC

Brothers Gary and Stephen Mendell lead one of the nation's most prominent privately held hotel investment companies. Their ability to recognize investments with the highest revenue potential and maximize operational efficiencies has allowed them to achieve great success with owners and investors. Moreover, since most of their properties are managed by their wholly-owned subsidiary, Merritt Hospitality, Gary and Stephen Mendell fully capitalize on their investments by aligning their interests and strategies with those of their investors.

Blaine Sweatt

President, New Business Division, Darden Restaurants, Inc.

As president of the New Business Division at the nation's largest casual-dining company, Blaine Sweatt is responsible for creating and testing new restaurant concepts for the corporation. After starting with Red Lobster in 1976, Mr. Sweatt led the company's new-concept-development activities, resulting in the creation of Olive Garden, China Coast, Bahama Breeze, and Smokey Bones BBQ. Most notably, Mr. Sweatt capitalized on the emerging trend of healthy eating by launching Seasons 52, Darden's newest "casually sophisticated" concept, which features a seasonal menu made from the freshest ingredients, a wine list with 70 varietals by the glass, and menu items all containing less than 475 total calories.

Carl Mittleman '97

Regional Vice President for the West Region, ARAMARK Harrison Lodging

As a rising star in the hospitality industry, Carl Mittleman has just been named Regional Vice President for the West Region by ARAMARK Harrison Lodging. Prior to his new position, Mr. Mittleman served ARAMARK in a variety of leadership roles including Vice President of Operations for ARAMARK Harrison Lodging - Alaska, District Manager for Stadiums and Arenas in Central California, Resident District Manager for ARAMARK's operations at Dodger Stadium, and Director for International Sports and Entertainment Operations. Mr. Mittleman has an outstanding track record for creating client value and improving customer service. He was recognized as "Manager of the Year" for the Stadiums and Arenas group in 2004, and as "District Manager of the Year" by ARAMARK Harrison Lodging in 2005.

Gerry Fernandez

President and Founder, Multicultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance (MFHA)

Gerry Fernandez leads an educational nonprofit organization that promotes the economic benefits of multicultural diversity in the restaurant, foodservice, and lodging industries. Under Mr. Fernandez's guidance, MFHA has become the hospitality industry's main source for multicultural information. As an accomplished restaurateur and foodservice professional, he has received numerous awards, including being named one of the industry's "Fifty Power Players" by Nation's Restaurant News.