Brooke Pinto ’14

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Brooke Pinto ’14, Council member for Ward 2, DC Council, shares with us what it means to her to be a Hotelie for Life®.

“I am so proud to be a Hotelie for Life®. To me, being a Hotelie means living a life of service and that is exactly why I have devoted my career and life to public service. When I am working on legislation, collaborating with an agency director, or assisting a constituent, the common thread to each moment of my day is service. I aim to apply the highest degree …of customer service to everyone with whom I deal on a daily basis which I believe ultimately serves my residents and community most effectively. I am so honored to be a #hotelieforlife and aim to apply all of the values of hard work, logic, friendship, commitment, creativity, and service every day.”

Brooke is pictured here at Get out the Vote Pink Car Parade this summer!

Greg Bodenair ’10

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Greg Bodenair ’10, a freelance marketer and CHS New England Chapter board member based in Boston, shares with us what it means to him to be a Hotelie® for Life.

“Ever since I was 12 years old, I knew I wanted to be a Cornell Hotelie. Even back then, I knew I had a passion for people and a desire to make an impact on the hospitality industry. Fast forward two decades later, I could not be prouder to be a Hotelie® for Life.  My time as an undergraduate and the ensuing ten years as an actively engaged alum and Cornell Hotel Society chapter board member has taught me the importance of connection and compassion for others. Thanks to my Cornell experiences, I have been able to work and travel around the globe, from working in idyllic resort destinations such as Bermuda to marketing in dynamic cities like San Francisco, Boston, and New York City.

Along the way, I have forged countless relationships that have enriched my life not only professionally but also on a very personal level. I count my Cornell connections as some of the most empathetic, caring individuals I know, friends who truly understand, and live by, the Life is Service mantra every single day.”

  • Greg Bodenair ’10
  • Greg, with brother Tyler.

Alex Metzroth ’05

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Alex Metzroth ’05, President at VGM, shares with us what it means to him to be a Hotelie for Life®.

“I am NOT a hotelier. I AM a Hotelie. You do not need to be a service professional to be of service. While I may no longer work in hospitality, I am a #HotelieforLife, tactically and tactfully.

Each day I strive to approach others with courtesy and respect. I show my employees reverence, my client’s gratitude, my friends love, and my family humility.

In almost every interaction I see the opportunity for service that is ingrained in each and every one of us SHA alums, often long before we first step foot in Ithaca. I live for that perfect service experience, to praise someone for doing the job right. I critique every facet of the bad experience, never to break someone down, but to make sure we learn, grow, and provide better service the next time and every time.

As a Hotelie for Life, my number one goal is to encourage the next class, by continuing to serve. SHA and CHS teach and reinforce that principle daily; no matter your chosen sector, Cornell reminds us that there are thousands of like-minded folks a click or call away. I hope we can all remember that in such troubling times and do whatever’s possible to help keep a fellow or future Hotelie on track.”

Jessica Purslow ’05

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Jessica Purslow ’05, Sr. Director at TravelClick, an Amadeus company, shares with us what it means to her to be a Hotelie for Life®.

“Being part of the Hotel School was such an incredible experience; it made a big place feel like home. From the engaging curriculum to real life application at every turn, I could not have asked for a more well-rounded education to prepare me for my career. Relationships and a diverse social network are keys to success in life and in business. Being part of the Hotel School family has created this multifaceted connection across alumni, industry discipline and geography. Just as there is no place like home, there is no place like Cornell Hotel School. Go Big Red!”

Christopher Muller, MPS ’85 Ph.D.’92

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Christopher Muller, MPS ’85 Ph.D.’92, Professor of the Practice, Hospitality, Boston University, tells us what it means to him to be a Hotelie for Life®:

“When I told my father, who was not in Hospitality, that I had been accepted to The Hotel School he said, “Well, you’ll never have to look for a job again.” And, of course, he was right. I met Melinda MPS ’85 in my first week, we were married in Sage Chapel just before graduation (I married the MPS Director!), had our cocktail hour at the AD White house, wedding reception at the Statler Inn. We both worked at SHA, I was her “trailing spouse.”

Many of our lifelong friends grew from that time. Our 3 kids were born in Ithaca and grew up in TCAB, which took up 6 ½ of the best years of my professional life. I still “pal” with Giuseppe, work with Chef Brian and talk to Chase and Nork. Our youngest, Mackenzie ’14, took up where we left off, becoming an MOD at Statler. Now, she recruits executives who were students then, sharing 3 generations of stories. The late Mike Oshins MPS ’85, convinced me to be the Dean at BU where we played the parts of “Statler & Waldorf” together.

I’ve spoken to industry groups around the world, made friends everywhere, brought my family to places unimaginable, all because of the wonderful people who are Hospitality. And, of course, because I am a #hotelieforlife.”

Emily Humphrey ’11

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Emily Humphrey ’11 shares with us what it means to her to be a Hotelie for Life®.

“Being a Hotelie for Life means I am part of a passionate community, both near and far, that share the common love for travel and creating unique and memorable experiences and connections. I continue to meet Hotelies throughout my career that I may not have been on campus with at the same time, but who are willing to help, support, and network with for the benefit of our industry and our Hotelie community.”

Pictured: Emily and her boyfriend in Ireland last summer celebrating her completing grad school.

Michael P. Doyle ’79

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Michael P. Doyle ’79, Managing Director, EVP CHMWarnick, shares with us what it means to him to be a Hotelie for Life®.

“The Hotel School allowed me to find my passion, make life-long friends, develop some skills and give me the confidence to pursue my interests. Opening doors along the way, the reputation of our program and the influence of our alumni helped me navigate the many opportunities and challenges presented during my journey.

I never appreciated the power of our Alumni until I began to tap the network. With so many Alumni to thank, supporting the network remains a key priority for me as my way to give back to others. The Hotel School has made a unique difference in my life and I am dedicated to make a difference in others: professionally and personally.”

Michael is pictured here with his family.

  • Michael P. Doyle ’79 and Family

Sarah Morris ’06

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Sarah Morris ’06, Fifth Generation Host at Basin Harbor, shares with us what it means to her to be a Hotelie for Life®.

“Family was important to me before Cornell, but when I became a Hotelie my family grew exponentially in all of you. For me, Hotelie for Life®. means nurturing my communities. Beyond our alumni network, there are the communities we live and work in which support us. I aim to perpetuate our CHS community in all my work and social groups; collaborating, learning, and supporting for a stronger core. It’s a commitment of service to others and a curiosity to never stop learning. I believe we are stronger as a community and now more than ever I’m thankful for the relationships that Cornell brought into my life.”

Peter (Pete) Plamondon, Jr. ‘81

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Peter (Pete) Plamondon, Jr. ‘81, Principal of Plamondon Companies, shares with us what it means to him to be a Hotelie for Life®.

“Being a Hotelie for Life means having a purpose – a purpose to serve others, a purpose to guide you in the decisions you make and how you shape your goals, it offers you a sense of direction and it creates meaning. Being a Hotelie for Life also helps you to live a life that is true to your core values. I am lucky to have been surrounded by Cornell Hotel School graduates in my personal life, all Hotelies for Life, who support me in this wonderful purpose. This perspective began with my father, Pete Sr., class of 1954, who was a long-time Marriott executive; my wife, Gail, class of 1980, who worked for both Marriott (where we met) and Four Seasons Hotels; and my two sons Tripp, class of 2015, and Jeff, class of 2017. These family Hotelie connections helped to create a strong bond which flows into the many personal and professional bonds of friendship that I’ve been lucky enough to establish throughout my career. The world-wide diversity of this community speaks volumes about what it is at its core – compassion, support, respect, and pride in one another’s accomplishments. There is no other community like it. Being a Hotelie for Life is invaluable.”

Pete is pictured here with his wife, Gail, enjoying a trip to Napa, and with Gail and their children Amy, Meg, Tripp and Jeff at a recent family celebration.

Pete ’81 and Gail ’80 Plamondon

Russell (Russ) Urban ’81

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Russell (Russ) Urban ’81, President of High Hotels, shares with us what it means to him to be a Hotelie for Life®.

“Since deciding to attend SHA in 1977, I have been so honored to be a part of the larger-than-life vibrance and passion for giving that is unique to SHA graduates. I enjoyed serving in local, regional and national Cornell Hotel Society leadership roles and meeting multiple generations of women and men from around the globe that shared the LIFE IS SERVICE perspective and energy.

 Many of my closest friends and business colleagues are active Hotelies. And underscoring my personal passion for the SHA, three of our four children also graduated from the SHA. The late Phil Miller, an extremely close personal friend, was instrumental in fueling my Hotelie fire. It is through his legacy, that Yasamin and their Endowments will continue to make HOTELIE FOR LIFE a forever-thriving state of mind.

 I am enormously proud to be a Hotelie for Life!”

 Russ is pictured here on a recent trip to India and Nepal.

Russ Urban ’81