Chinese New Year

THE LANTERN FESTIVAL
01-21-12

MANAGERS:  Diandra Tulabut, Victor Bukowski, Kolena Thomas, Rebecca Kuntsen, Frank Fleming, Samantha Amick GUEST COUNT: 180 A TASTE OF CHINA: Mingling in the lantern-adorned marketplace, guests were immersed in culture as they enjoyed the calming sounds of the mandolin, took pictures in traditional garments, and snacked  on bite-sized tastes of Chinese fare. THE PROCESSIONAL: The ringing of the gong sounded the beginning of the lantern processional that led attendees into the grand ballroom. A DANCE TO REMEMBER: The Chinese Student Association stole the show with an inspired lion dance that had the guests asking for more. CULINARY FUSION: Guests were treated to four courses of Asian-American Fusion cuisine, before receiving a parting cookie of fortune to embark on the new year.

Summer Internship: The Boar’s Head Inn

The Boar’s Head Inn of Charlottesville, VA is seeking students for paid summer internship positions in the Operational Rooms Division, Spa, Sports Club and Recreation Departments. Applications for all four positions are due by February 20, 2012.

The Room Operations Intern will work closely with the Hospitality Operations leadership team, primarily the Housekeeping and Front Office teams to indentify process improvements to increase guest satisfaction within the hospitality operations.

The Spa Operations Intern will learn the operations of the reception of the Spa; greeting guests and preparing them for their treatments. Will seek recommendations for improving the guest experience.

The Sports Club Operations Intern will work with several operational departments; Aquatics, Fitness, Member Services, Recreation and Childcare to identify areas of guest service that could be improved with either training, process improvement, or both

The Golf Operations Intern will work with the operations team at the Pro Shop and the Outside Service Representatives (OSR) to identify guest experience improvements that can made through training, process improvement, or both.

Get Ahead!

Send your résumé by February 15, 2012 and representatives will look forward to meeting you on February 21, 2012 in the Festival Ballroom, 12 – 4 PM at the Spring Career, Internship & Service event!

Post your résumé on Recruit-A-Duke today!

Questions? Contact Human Resources Director Mrs. Claire E Gruenfelder at claire_gruenfelder@boarsheadinn.com.

http://www.boarsheadinn.com/

Making Connections: Upcoming Guest Speakers

We have a fantastic variety of guest speakers from the hospitality industry visiting campus through the first weeks of February! If you are interested in networking with these individuals, please take note of the dates they will be at JMU.

02/07 Tuesday

Stonewall Jackson Hotel

Ms. Carol Simon, General Manager

Ms. Simon, a 25 year veteran with Crestline Hotels & Resorts, was formerly General Manager at the 134 guest room Brasstown Valley Resort, an upscale, full-service destination resort and conference center, in the North Georgia Mountains. Her extensive hospitality industry career spans more than 30 years and includes management positions with the Atlanta Marriott Gwinnett Place, the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, the Berkeley Marina Marriott and Holiday Inn Hotels.

Ms. Simon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Arizona State University, and a Masters of Business Administration from Golden Gate University. She has served on numerous tourism and community councils, and as vice president of Rotary International.

02/09 Thursday

Richmond Convention and Visitors Bureau

Ms. Allison Hannah, Sports Development Manager

A 2005 Alumni of James Madison University’s Hospitality and Tourism Management program, Ms. Hannah received a Masters in Marketing from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School Of Business while starting her career at the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. Her position revolves around marketing the Richmond Region as a premier destination for the sports, religious and multicultural market segments.

Primary job responsibilities include conducting market research, planning market specific sales missions, participating in industry trade and events, hosting educational trips for prospective meetings planners, and building strategic partnerships with key industry partners, including hotels, sports venues, housing bureaus and community stakeholders in efforts to generate confirmed room night bookings.

02/16 Thursday

The Homestead

Mr. Peter Faraone, Vice President and General Manager

After five years in sales with Marriott, Mr. Faraone was afforded an opportunity to join Ritz-Carlton Hotels 1983 in a regional sales capacity and in early 1984 was named the pre-opening Director of Sales and Marketing at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Florida. In 1988 Mr. Faraone was promoted to the Vice President of Sales for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

During his time leading the sales effort for the company, he was able to travel the world and open hotels in Sydney, Australia, Hong Kong, Tokyo and two in the Hawaiian Islands. For the past fourteen years, Peter has performed in many capacities for KSL Resorts, none more rewarding that leading the wonderful team that he works with at The Homestead each day.

Making Connections: Meet and Greet

MEET AND GREET

The School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management will be hosting a “meet and greet” with Peter Faraone, General Manager of The Homestead Resort on Thursday, February 16^th at 7:00pm in Godwin Rm. 354. Mr. Faraone will be talking to our students about The Homestead, the resort industry and about internships and job opportunities. All Hospitality students are welcome to attend (Business attire required). Refreshments will be served.

After five years in sales with Marriott, Mr. Faraone was afforded an opportunity to join Ritz-Carlton Hotels 1983 in a regional sales capacity and in early 1984 was named the pre-opening Director of Sales and Marketing at The Ritz-Carlton Naples, Florida. In 1988 Mr. Faraone was promoted to the Vice President of Sales for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

During his time leading the sales effort for the company, he was able to travel the world and open hotels in Sydney, Australia, Hong Kong, Tokyo and two in the Hawaiian Islands.

For the past fourteen years, Peter has performed in many capacities for KSL Resorts, none more rewarding that leading the wonderful team that he works with at The Homestead each day.

A Career You Can Marry

Are you interested in a career in weddings, editorial, photography, marketing, or design?? Findaweddingjob.com is an all-inclusive resource for internships and full-time positions in the weddings and events industry nationwide.

The search engine is extremely user-friendly and can be used to find positions by title, skill set, company, or even location! New jobs are posted every day, so keep an eye on the site regularly if you are interested in furthering your career in this facet of the Hospitality industry.

Making Connections: Upcoming Guest Speakers

We have several professional guests visiting JMU Hospitality classes over the next couple of weeks! Check out their profiles below to see if you might be interested in networking with those who will be stepping foot on our campus. You never know, you might meet someone who could play a significant role in your future employment!

01/24 Tuesday

Joshua Wilton House

Mrs. Ann Marie Coe, Co-Owner/Catering Director

At an early age, Ann Marie was quick to learn all about southern hospitality from her mother, who was the master at making everyone feel at ease and welcome.  As a young girl, she spent a great deal of time playing “make believe restaurant” to entertain her family and friends. Ann Marie received a degree in Sociology from James Madison University and a Master’s degree in Special Education. She taught elementary children with special needs for six years with Staunton City Schools.  During holidays and summer vacation she worked on the catering staff at Joshua Wilton House.  It became clear to Ann Marie that it was time to move on to a new phase in her life, so she left education and worked at the Wilton House as inn sitter, housekeeper, and host.  When Ann Marie had the opportunity to co-own a restaurant and inn with her two best friends, she jumped at the chance.

Mr. Sean Pugh, Co-Owner, General Manager

Sean Pugh began his restaurant career at the age of 16 washing dishes at Bob’s Big Boy Family Restaurant in his hometown of Annandale, VA. Although it was not the most glamorous job, Sean soon found he enjoyed the pace of the restaurant business and the wild assortment of people that tended  to work there. Sean applied for a waiter position at Joshua Wilton House at the recommendation of one of his managers at Chesapeake. Fifteen years later Sean has grown at JWH from waiter to training waiter to full-and part-time manager to Catering Director to General Manager, finally making the transition to owner-manager in  July 2004. Sean is involved in all aspects of the business, but his main focuses are the wine program and accounting/financial matters.

01/26 Thursday

Chick-Fil-A Franchisees
Mr. Gregg Bellamy, Restaurant Owner
Gregg is an Owner/Operator of the Harrisonburg Chick-Fil-A. The Chick-Fil-A franchise was started in the early 1960’s and has since grown to be the second largest quick-service chicken restaurant chain in the United States. The company has used the marketing tactic of pioneering to achieve 41 years of consecutive sales growth. It continues to remain privately held and family owned.

Mrs. Ashley Bellamy, Restaurant Owner
A graduate of East Tennessee State University, Ashley has been a member of the Restaurant Industry for the last 10 and a half years. She has held the position of Owner/Operator of the Harrisonburg Chick-Fil-A since 2001.

02/02 Thursday

Chevy Chase Club

Luke O’Boyle, General Manager & Chief Operating Officer

Luke O’Boyle received his Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from Widener University. While in college, he was an active participant of the CMAA student chapter, Eta Sigma Delta, and Men’s Basketball. Mr. O’Boyle is a Certified Club Manager and a Certified Chief Executive. He started his professional career as the Assistant Manager of Vicmead Hunt Club in Wilmington, DE. Since then, he has had an extremely diverse career at various clubs, culminating in his current employment at the Chevy Chase Club for the last 8 years.

Spring 2012 Theme Dinners: A Night in New York City

Remembering the Past ~ Celebrating the Present

The third theme dinner of the Spring 2012 season is right around the corner! This Saturday, January 28th, we will be celebrating A Night in New York at the Festival Conference Center. The evening’s reception will be starting at 6:30 PM, with dinner following shortly after at 7:00 PM.  Attendees are requested to dress in cocktail attire.

If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact the management team via the link above.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Ancient Greece

AN EVENING FIT FOR THE GODS
01-15-12 

MANAGERS: Chris Shockey, Jayne-Marie Haley, Morgan Avery, Ben Wohl, Candace Taylor GUEST COUNT: 160 THE GOLDEN AGE: Upon arrival, guests received a pouch of gold nuggets to ‘purchase’ food and drinks during the marketplace reception THE ARTS: Grecian culture was celebrated throughout the evening with the god-worthy talents of many entertainers including a harpist, a singer, a thespian troupe, an interactive statue, and even a champion archer. A V.I.P.  APPEARANCE: Attendees were welcomed by the Greek God Hermes and led to Mt. Olympus to continue the festivities under the watchful eyes of Apollo, Artemis, Aprodite, Poseidon, & the King of the Gods, Zeus himself! A FEAST FOR GODS: Guests enjoyed a four-course dining experience featuring modern twists on traditional Greek fare.

Summer Internship: Precision Meetings and Events

“Where Sophistication Meets Imagination”

Interested in spending your summer learning the ins and outs of event and conference management?

Precision Meetings and Events in Old Town Alexandria is seeking three Student Summer Interns! Some of the positions are voluntary and some are paid between $10 and $12, negotiable. If asked for an interview after applying, you will be required to travel to Alexandria, VA for an in-person interview.

If interested, please send your resume to Maria Ruhe, VP Finance and Administration, at mruhe@teamprecision.com.

Spring 2012 Theme Dinners: Chinese New Year

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MANAGERS, SUPERVISORS, AND STAFF
OF THE ANCIENT GREECE THEME DINNER!!

The first dinner of the Spring 2012 season is officially complete and was a great success! Thank you to all of the students, faculty, and friends of the program that made it all possible.

The next theme dinner to be looking forward to is the celebration of the
Chinese New Year: The Lantern Festival.

In the Chinese culture, the Lantern Festival is traditionally recognized on the fifteenth and last night of the Chinese New Year. It is a time for families to come together to wish each other well and ward off bad spirits for the upcoming year. What a fitting theme as we embark on the beginning of a new year at James Madison University!

The celebration will take place Saturday, January 21, 2012 at the Festival Conference Center at James Madison University. The reception begins at 6:30 PM, followed by a four course dinner featuring a delectable menu of fusion cuisine beginning at 7:00 PM.

For those friends, students, and faculty of the program attending this event, dress is cocktail attire.

For more information, please visit the link above. If you have any additional questions, please email the management team at JMUchinesenewyear@gmail.com.

This celebration is sure to be an evening unlike any other and we look forward to sharing it with you all!