Joe Lavin ’75
Joe Lavin ‘75, President of HarborStone Hospitality, shares with us what it means to him to be a Hotelie for Life®.
“When I hear the expression, Hotelie for Life®, I know that it is a term that resonates with me. It means a lifelong commitment to engagement through and with the Hotel School. It means leadership, innovation, mentorship, networking, recruiting, financial support and friendship.
Not a day goes by when I don’t touch the SHA in some fashion. Whether it be through either of my children, Allie ’07 or Tyler MMH ’10, a CHS event, the CHS Foundation Board, the Pillsbury Institute, as an Entrepreneur in Residence or just hanging out with my Hotelie friends.
Every job I ever had was through some connection with a Hotelie or the School. I have made it a point to give back by recommending prospective students while mentoring students and grads as they move up in their careers (and hired quite few along the way). Having taught a class at the School for six years as adjunct faculty, some of my industry expertise hopefully found its way into the minds of future industry leaders.
The philosophy of Hotelie for Life in our students and grads is what sets us apart, not only from other hospitality programs, but any business school, anywhere. We must do whatever we can to preserve, protect and defend this culture.”
Joe is chair of an annual golf outing, now in its 27th year. The vast majority of participants are Hotelies (25 of the 39 shown here) across the generations. Alongside is a picture of their 25th anniversary group at Kiawah Island. Joe is front, left of center, in a pink shirt; his son Tyler, MMH ‘10 is front, far left.
