MPISCC: Tell us about YOU!
AV: My life has truly brought its challenges, but at an early age I chose to be a survivor. I lost my dad at an early age of 10 tragically. It was a rough road to follow, but I knew the one thing I could always count on was myself. This drove me to be successful in my hospitality career. I put myself through college and earned a B.S. in kinesiology, exercise science from Cal State University Northridge. And that is how my hospitality career started.
While putting myself through college at 19, I took a job at a Days Inn at the front desk, and so it began. From there, I went to a Ramada, where I was a one-man show and learned everything from sales to being a director of sales and catering, to then getting a taste of the luxury hospitality experience with The Beverly Hills Hotel and then on to Ritz Carlton (earning employee of the year), and then to Langham Hotels as director of group sales. Gaining a tremendous amount of knowledge in many areas of the group meetings and events side of the business [and] successfully achieving and excelling with any goal or challenge I was given after 12 years at The Langham Pasadena, I joined ALHI, an organization I had always thought that if I was going to make a change in my career, now that is where I want to go! A company with a culture holding itself to the highest standards of service and sales excellence, it spoke my hotel love language! I have been with ALHI now for almost seven years leading a team successfully to achieving all-time highs as a region, it gives me great joy to be a leader to a phenomenal group of individuals for whom my success would not exist without. MPI has been with me along this entire journey!
MPISCC: Can you share a few fun things about you?
AV: I love to horseback ride; I am a country girl at heart. I love music (it is my therapy) and exercise! I love to hike, run, weight train. I love to drive fast cars! I LOVE my dogs (I have two), and of course love spending quality time with my daughter age 13, and she is my everything and loves to ride horses with me. And I adore spending time with my husband. I am a worker bee and love my ALHI family. When you wake up every morning loving what you do and excited to go to work, you know you are on the right path.
MPISCC: How did you become involved with MPI and the Southern California Chapter? What has encouraged you to stay involved?
AV: MPI has always been a link and a connection to the rest of the industry. I joined Southern California as this is where my roots are, and I am responsible for the West Region of the U.S. It is important to be involved and support this region of MPI as we serve several of our hotel members in Southern California and are heavily involved in industry events as an organization overall.
MPISCC: What are your proudest moments or accomplishments?
AV: Personally, it is raising a wonderful daughter and being able to give her all the things she needs to be successful in life. And professionally, I am still going and want to accomplish a lot more, but I think to have achieved my position with ALHI and to have had the successes we have had over the years has been huge. There are many successes along the way that have led to where I am now, including many great leaders and mentors (you all know who you are) who gave me a chance, and I showed them they would not regret it. This also has shaped me as a leader. If someone has the drive and determination, experience is not what drives a successful hire. If they have that “it” factor for taking initiative, drive, determination, survivor mentality, intuition, thoughtfulness in decision-making and, most importantly, human kindness and humility, they will be your best hire.
MPISCC: What advice would you share with new members about getting the most out of their membership?
AV: Get involved and stay connected. See how you can help and participate. Spread the word!
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