New General Manager Named to Lead Kansas City's Largest Convention Hotel
Rusty Macy is the new general manager of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. He assumes overall responsibility for the 983-room convention hotel operations and leadership of the hotel’s 600 employees. Macy brings more than 25 years of general management experience with Hyatt Hotels, including his most recent post as general manager of the 800-room Hyatt Regency DWF at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
Macy is a familiar name to Kansas City travelers and meeting planners, having served two stints with Hyatt Regency Crown Center. His most recent stint was from 2002-2011 as general manager, and he is eager to return to the city he and his family called home for more than 10 years. "Of all the great cities we have lived in throughout my career, Kansas City was at the top of our list," he noted upon accepting the position. "What makes it so special is the people." He counts adult children living in Kansas City and many friendships made here through the years as benefits that come with a promising position. "Family is a great draw for me at this stage of my career, but so is the opportunity to work in a hotel family with such a strong service culture," he said. "I very much look forward to working with The Raphael Group team and our ownership group that I have known and respected for many years."
Macy credits the hotel’s ownership for its commitment to Kansas City and for its sustained investment in the hotel. "The lobby looks great," he said. "With its new BARCENTRAL and MetropolitanKC restaurant, the reimagined lobby area has become a warm, friendly environment for meeting, conducting business and gathering." Macy has two immediate goals: "No. 1 is to get to know the staff and let them get to know me," he said. His second priority is to elevate the service and expectation level of guests. "We want every guest to come away with a great experience."
Macy is a central Illinois native. He holds a B.A. in hospitality and restaurant administration from Washington State University. Until his recent appointment, he served on the board of North Texas Commission and as secretary on the board of the Hotel Association of Tarrant County.
In Kansas City, he served as chairman and president of the Kansas City Hotel & Lodging Association, city co-chair for the Greater K.C. Day and president of the Rotary Youth Camp. He served on the board of directors for the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association (KCCVA), Rotary Club 13 and numerous KCCVA subcommittees. He served as guest lecturer for the Johnson County College hospitality leadership class and the University of Missouri Kansas City hospitality law class. He received the 2006 Hotelier of the Year award, presented by the Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Kansas City.
Macy replaced Carol Pecoraro who retired after serving as general manager of the hotel since 1990. Pecoraro began her hospitality career as a front desk cashier at the Alameda Plaza (now Intercontinental) in 1974.
The Marriott Kansas City Downtown is owned by the Kansas City Downtown Hotel Group, L.L.C. and is managed by The Raphael Hotel Group.