In 2020, the Cornell Hotel Society (CHS) Hotelie for Life® Senior Prize was named in honor of Philippus Miller ’83, longtime director of alumni affairs at the Hotel School and founder of the executive search firm Philippus Miller III and Associates. Phil was famously known for facilitating relationships among Hotel School students, faculty, and alumni. He was the consummate Hotelie – a people-person dedicated to serving others.
JT Baker ’21, the winner of the 2021 Philippus Miller III ’83 Cornell Hotel Society (CHS) Hotelie for Life® Senior Prize, is also a people-person. It all started at the Sunnyside Café, his family’s restaurant in Minneapolis. “Growing up with two parents in the restaurant business, you would think I am a foodie. The truth is I can’t cook, but I did fall in love the hospitality ethos and providing service to our customers,” said JT.
At age 13, JT and his family took a trip to Las Vegas. Driving down The Strip, JT was wowed by the grandeur of the casino hotels. “Who owns these hotels?”, he wondered. “One day I want to own a hotel.”
JT was a star football player in high school and recruited by several colleges across country. During his recruiting trip to Cornell, one of the coaches innocently asked the question, “What do you want to do in life?”. JT responded, “I want to own a hotel.” The coach immediately stopped the interview and proceeded to walk with JT from Schoellkopf Hall to Statler Hall. JT did not know that Cornell was home to the world’s best university hospitality program. From that point on, JT was committed to attend Cornell regardless of making the football team.
To say that JT made the most of his time at Cornell is an understatement. Under the guidance of the Entrepreneur in Residence Phil Miller, JT used his great interpersonal skills to form relationships with his fellow students and members of the faculty.
Two of JT’s early faculty mentors were Professors Andrew Quagliata and Jan DeRoos. JT first met Professor Quagliata the summer before his freshman year while attending the Hotel Operations Program on campus. Professor Quagliata teaches Management Communication and likes to challenge his students. He took JT aside and told him, “if you work hard, I’ll help you get the most out of your experience at Cornell.”
If JT wanted to own a hotel, then he knew he needed to succeed in Professor DeRoos’ real estate class. Accordingly, JT, along with football teammate Eric Gallman ’21, took the time to meet as frequently as possible with Professor DeRoos. Professor DeRoos acknowledged the disadvantages JT and Eric had as young African Americans that had attended high schools with limited excel training resources. However, he assured them they could be at the “top of hotel real estate game.” JT was inspired not only by Professor DeRoos’ message, but by the personal time commitment he spent with himself and Eric. This changed JT’s perspective on how beneficial his Cornell experience could be if he took advantage of all the resources available.
From his freshman year on JT began to expand his relationships with university administrators, alumni, and industry executives. While attending a high school event JT received a business card from Kevin Warren with the Minnesota Vikings. At that time, Mr. Warren was the highest ranking African American executive with an NFL team. On his own initiative, JT reached out to Mr. Warren and was able to land summer jobs summer jobs with the Vikings after his freshman and sophomore years at Cornell. Under the tutelage of Mr. Warren, JT not only learned about the business of sports management, but also worked directly on a big mixed-use real estate project developed by the Wilf family (owners of the Vikings) next to the team’s new training facility in Eagan, MN. The project included a 310-room luxury hotel.
On campus, JT added to his classroom and football commitments by winning a campus-wide election to serve as a student representative on the University Board of Trustees. While serving on the Board of Trustees, JT was able to form relationships with prominent Hotel School alumni like Richard Baker ’88, Lee Pillsbury ’69, and Andrew Tisch ’71. He also was able to establish personal connections with Cornell President Martha Pollack and Marriott CEO Tony Capuano ’87.
During the summer of 2020, COVID prevented JT from holding any in-person internships. However, he took advantage of the opportunity to work remotely and tackled three opportunities. One was with Kevin Warren, who moved on from the Vikings to become Commissioner of the Big 10. JT’s association with Trustee Richard Baker ’88, Executive Chairman and CEO of Hudson Bay Company, gave him some exposure to the real estate side of the retail industry. Finally, JT landed a remote internship with JP Morgan.
Prior to his summer experience with JP Morgan, the thought of working on Wall Street after graduation was not on his mind. However, during his brief time with JP Morgan, JT was exposed to the finance side of the real estate industry and liked it. Fortunately, his strong performance led to an offer for permanent employment after graduation. JT will be joining JP Morgan in Manhattan during the latter part of the summer of 2021.
Since graduating, JT achieved another great accomplishment. In June of 2021 he was admitted to the Harvard Business School. Harvard has given him a two to six year window to work in industry, and then enroll in graduate school when he is ready. “I initially did not think about attending graduate school, but the offer to attend HBS was just too good an opportunity to pass on,” noted JT.
As a graduate of the Hotel School, JT wants to live the life of a Hotelie as demonstrated by Phil Miller. “I’m constantly amazed at how busy Hotel School alumni professionals take the time to help others. Hotelies develop into selfless leaders that make the experiences of others better, both professionally and personally,” said JT.
Upon arriving in Ithaca, JT quickly noticed that he was one of very few African American students in the Hotel School. Based on his positive experience at Cornell, it is JT’s goal as an alumnus to become successful in the real estate industry, and then use his resources to open the door for more black students to study hospitality and real estate.
“I’ve told President Pollack that Cornell changed my life. The University is at its best educating students, especially those who come to campus with limited resources and are in need of extra assistance. Ultimately, if we can educate a diverse student body, that will reduce the incidences of racism going forward,” JT concluded.
Like Phil Miller, there is no doubt that JT will use his strong personal skills to establish relationships that he can leverage to serve others and make their lives better. This is the essence of being a Hotelie for Life®.
* * *
The Cornell Hotel Society and Cornell Hotel Foundation congratulate JT, and wish him the best of success on his journey as a Hotelie for Life®. This interview was conducted by Robert Mandelbaum ’81.
Georgia Lodging Outlook 2021
/in Chapter Event/by Robert MandelbaumOn Thursday, September 9, 2021 the Georgia Chapter of the Cornell Hotel Society collaborated with the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association to host the annual Georgia Lodging Outlook breakfast seminar. A crowd of 200 area hotel industry professionals were in attendance. This year’s event was held at the Hilton Hotel in Downtown Atlanta.
Jim Sprouse, President of the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association, and CHS Georgia chapter Vice President Bhav Vivek ’11 provided welcome remarks. American Hotel & Lodging Association President and CEO Chip Rogers followed with an executive summary of the work AHLA is doing to secure federal aid for the lodging industry to assist recovery.
The first educational panel was entitled “Employment Trends and Strategies for Success.” Sharing their expertise were Del Ross, Chief Revenue Officer for Hotel Effectiveness, Pete Sams, Chief Operating Officer of Davidson Hotels & Resorts, and Brandon Turner, president of Global Hotels.
Following the labor panel, local area experts presented their outlook for 2022:
Mark Woodworth ’77, Principal – R.M. Woodworth & Associates, served as moderator for the entire program. Thanks to eCornell who donated two certificates for $1,560 worth of online courses to raffle off for lucky attendees.
CHS Rome – Fireside Chat with Tony Capuano ‘87
/in Chapter Event/by Robert Mandelbaum“Travel and change of place impart vigor to the mind”
On Thursday, September 9, 2021,Cornell Hotel Society (CHS) members from as far as Zagreb, Milan, Verona, Sardinia and Tuscany, came together in Rome for a special meeting with Anthony Capuano, class of ’87, and CEO of Marriott International.
Before we enjoyed a fun and lively reception in the Lumen Garden at the St. Regis Rome, we gathered together in the Salone Ritz – Rome’s first public ballroom built in 1894 and opened by legendary hotelier, Cesar Ritz. Like Hotelies, we pulled chairs and tables together, like we were preparing for some make-shift group project in the Regent Lounge at the Statler Hotel, to have an informal chat with Tony, hear his views on the state of the industry, the future of hospitality, and what it was like to ascend to CEO in the midst of a global pandemic and taking the place after the sudden and tragic loss of Arne Sorenson.
At his request, we called the event a Fireside Chat, a name that comes from President FDR during the Great Depression and WWII who hosted radio programs aimed at comforting American families at home with talks of hope and optimism. Along the same vein, I asked Tony if he could offer any words of comfort to us in the industry now. And his poignant answer included the above quote by ancient Roman philosopher, Seneca. He emphasized that while the pandemic has brought incalculable loss both in life and business, it also spurred creativity and leadership to take center stage – like transforming the St. Regis’ antiquated smoking lounge into an outdoor cocktail garden and restaurant. And it’s with this sense of optimism that he, and his exceptional team, continue to move the world’s largest hotel company forward to lead the industry.
A massive thanks to everyone who made the event possible. Giuseppe De Martino and his team at the St. Regis Rome. Palmiro Noschese, whose black book in Rome helped reach members who haven’t been active in years. Silvija Iliskovic Balagovic whose dedication to CHS is inspiring, and led an incredible and productive hybrid chapter meeting before. Christian N Walter and Nils of PKF who offered an insightful analysis of the future of hospitality, “Serviced Living”. And everyone else who gave their time to be there with us. It always makes me so proud to be a #HotelieForLife with all of you.
* * *
Submitted by Jonathon Dominic Spada ’10, founder of SAYHELLO Creative, and organizer of the event.
Bhavnesh Vivek ‘11
/in Hotelie for Life/by Robert MandelbaumBhavnesh Vivek ‘11, Vice President of Hotel Acquisitions at The RADCO Companies and CHS Lifetime Member, shares with us what it means to be a Hotelie for Life®.
“Growing up in a family that has owned, operated, and developed hotels since migrating to the United States, I have always been very passionate about the hotel industry. I knew at a young age that I wanted to attend CornellSHA due to the uniqueness of their curriculum, students, and alumni. The bonds that I have made with other Hotelies during my time in Ithaca and afterward is what I truly appreciate about being a part of the Hotelie network. Since settling in Atlanta, I have become involved in our local chapter, which has allowed me to connect with other alumni locally and continue to connect with other Hotelies and be a ‘Hotelie for Life’.”
JT Baker ‘21 – Philippus Miller III ‘83 Hotelie for Life® Prize Winner
/in Hotelie for Life, Scholarship/by Robert MandelbaumIn 2020, the Cornell Hotel Society (CHS) Hotelie for Life® Senior Prize was named in honor of Philippus Miller ’83, longtime director of alumni affairs at the Hotel School and founder of the executive search firm Philippus Miller III and Associates. Phil was famously known for facilitating relationships among Hotel School students, faculty, and alumni. He was the consummate Hotelie – a people-person dedicated to serving others.
JT Baker ’21, the winner of the 2021 Philippus Miller III ’83 Cornell Hotel Society (CHS) Hotelie for Life® Senior Prize, is also a people-person. It all started at the Sunnyside Café, his family’s restaurant in Minneapolis. “Growing up with two parents in the restaurant business, you would think I am a foodie. The truth is I can’t cook, but I did fall in love the hospitality ethos and providing service to our customers,” said JT.
At age 13, JT and his family took a trip to Las Vegas. Driving down The Strip, JT was wowed by the grandeur of the casino hotels. “Who owns these hotels?”, he wondered. “One day I want to own a hotel.”
JT was a star football player in high school and recruited by several colleges across country. During his recruiting trip to Cornell, one of the coaches innocently asked the question, “What do you want to do in life?”. JT responded, “I want to own a hotel.” The coach immediately stopped the interview and proceeded to walk with JT from Schoellkopf Hall to Statler Hall. JT did not know that Cornell was home to the world’s best university hospitality program. From that point on, JT was committed to attend Cornell regardless of making the football team.
To say that JT made the most of his time at Cornell is an understatement. Under the guidance of the Entrepreneur in Residence Phil Miller, JT used his great interpersonal skills to form relationships with his fellow students and members of the faculty.
Two of JT’s early faculty mentors were Professors Andrew Quagliata and Jan DeRoos. JT first met Professor Quagliata the summer before his freshman year while attending the Hotel Operations Program on campus. Professor Quagliata teaches Management Communication and likes to challenge his students. He took JT aside and told him, “if you work hard, I’ll help you get the most out of your experience at Cornell.”
If JT wanted to own a hotel, then he knew he needed to succeed in Professor DeRoos’ real estate class. Accordingly, JT, along with football teammate Eric Gallman ’21, took the time to meet as frequently as possible with Professor DeRoos. Professor DeRoos acknowledged the disadvantages JT and Eric had as young African Americans that had attended high schools with limited excel training resources. However, he assured them they could be at the “top of hotel real estate game.” JT was inspired not only by Professor DeRoos’ message, but by the personal time commitment he spent with himself and Eric. This changed JT’s perspective on how beneficial his Cornell experience could be if he took advantage of all the resources available.
From his freshman year on JT began to expand his relationships with university administrators, alumni, and industry executives. While attending a high school event JT received a business card from Kevin Warren with the Minnesota Vikings. At that time, Mr. Warren was the highest ranking African American executive with an NFL team. On his own initiative, JT reached out to Mr. Warren and was able to land summer jobs summer jobs with the Vikings after his freshman and sophomore years at Cornell. Under the tutelage of Mr. Warren, JT not only learned about the business of sports management, but also worked directly on a big mixed-use real estate project developed by the Wilf family (owners of the Vikings) next to the team’s new training facility in Eagan, MN. The project included a 310-room luxury hotel.
On campus, JT added to his classroom and football commitments by winning a campus-wide election to serve as a student representative on the University Board of Trustees. While serving on the Board of Trustees, JT was able to form relationships with prominent Hotel School alumni like Richard Baker ’88, Lee Pillsbury ’69, and Andrew Tisch ’71. He also was able to establish personal connections with Cornell President Martha Pollack and Marriott CEO Tony Capuano ’87.
During the summer of 2020, COVID prevented JT from holding any in-person internships. However, he took advantage of the opportunity to work remotely and tackled three opportunities. One was with Kevin Warren, who moved on from the Vikings to become Commissioner of the Big 10. JT’s association with Trustee Richard Baker ’88, Executive Chairman and CEO of Hudson Bay Company, gave him some exposure to the real estate side of the retail industry. Finally, JT landed a remote internship with JP Morgan.
Prior to his summer experience with JP Morgan, the thought of working on Wall Street after graduation was not on his mind. However, during his brief time with JP Morgan, JT was exposed to the finance side of the real estate industry and liked it. Fortunately, his strong performance led to an offer for permanent employment after graduation. JT will be joining JP Morgan in Manhattan during the latter part of the summer of 2021.
Since graduating, JT achieved another great accomplishment. In June of 2021 he was admitted to the Harvard Business School. Harvard has given him a two to six year window to work in industry, and then enroll in graduate school when he is ready. “I initially did not think about attending graduate school, but the offer to attend HBS was just too good an opportunity to pass on,” noted JT.
As a graduate of the Hotel School, JT wants to live the life of a Hotelie as demonstrated by Phil Miller. “I’m constantly amazed at how busy Hotel School alumni professionals take the time to help others. Hotelies develop into selfless leaders that make the experiences of others better, both professionally and personally,” said JT.
Upon arriving in Ithaca, JT quickly noticed that he was one of very few African American students in the Hotel School. Based on his positive experience at Cornell, it is JT’s goal as an alumnus to become successful in the real estate industry, and then use his resources to open the door for more black students to study hospitality and real estate.
“I’ve told President Pollack that Cornell changed my life. The University is at its best educating students, especially those who come to campus with limited resources and are in need of extra assistance. Ultimately, if we can educate a diverse student body, that will reduce the incidences of racism going forward,” JT concluded.
Like Phil Miller, there is no doubt that JT will use his strong personal skills to establish relationships that he can leverage to serve others and make their lives better. This is the essence of being a Hotelie for Life®.
* * *
The Cornell Hotel Society and Cornell Hotel Foundation congratulate JT, and wish him the best of success on his journey as a Hotelie for Life®. This interview was conducted by Robert Mandelbaum ’81.
Singapore Chapter Hosts Farewell Event For Bill Minnock ’79
/in Chapter Event/by Robert MandelbaumOn Friday, June 25, the Cornell Hotel Society – Singapore Chapter hosted a farewell Zoom party for Bill Minnock ’79 who, after spending 7 wonderful years on the island, has relocated to pursue the next chapter in his life. Friends and family dialed in from all over the world – Germany, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Singapore – to honor his contributions to the chapter and reaffirm our love and support of him as an immensely generous and influential Cornell University School of Hotel Administration alum.
Stacey Nadolny ‘05
/in Hotelie for Life/by Robert MandelbaumStacey Nadolny ‘05, MAI, Managing Director at HVS shares with us what it means to her to be a Hotelie for Life®:
“When I entered Cornell almost two decades ago, I was completely unprepared for what was ahead of me in the Hotel School, and honestly a little unsure of it. But it was not long before I was working at the Statler Hotel, volunteering for HEC, taking every meal at Macs, and fully immersed in the school’s culture, not to mention my classmates and our phenomenal faculty and staff. I have been fortunate enough to work in hospitality since I graduated, for which I credit SHA in opening the doors for me, to make a career in this industry.
This network does not end when you leave SHA, it only grows. To me, it is most literal to be a Hotelie For Life. I have been so lucky to meet some of my closest friends and business contacts through the alumni network. The Cornell Hotel Society has connected me with some of the most committed alums, and I am so grateful for those the volunteers and staff that run this network like a machine. The countless hours that go into planning events, education, and fundraising are why we can continue to be Hotelies For Life!”
Photo 1: Volunteering in Chicago for Pelotonia
Photo 2: Biking in Idaho
Photo 3: With some of my HVS Besties
Finland, Russia and the Baltic Chapter Lunch
/in Chapter Event/by Robert MandelbaumThanks to Ville Relander IMHI Essec ’05 for hosting the CHS Finland, Russia and Baltic Chapter at his restaurant, The Cock, in Helsinki, Finland. The event was held on Thursday, June 3. Ville has hosted a few meetings during COVID when local laws have allowed. The Hotelies in attendance had a lot of issues to catch up on. Attendees were able to purchase the newly printed CHS EMEA 60th anniversary history. Next time, the group will meet at Ville’s other restaurant – Madonna.
Pictured from Left to Right: Juha Mähönen, Ville Relander, Martti Palonperä Riikka Moreau in the back Jere Talonen, Esko Paalasmaa,Deiv Salutskij and Merit Kuusniemi
Hollis Silverman ‘00
/in Hotelie for Life/by Robert MandelbaumHollis Silverman ‘00, Founder of Eastern Point Collective, Owner/Operator of The Duck & The Peach DC, La Collina DC, and The Wells DC in Washington, DC shares with us what it means to her to be a Hotelie for Life®:
“Discovering, adapting, listening, innovating…all of these things are part of being a #HotelieForLife. For me, hospitality is a way of life, bringing people together over food is always the winning formula to create conversations and connections. I’ve learned so many lessons in my career, but what guides me as a Hotelie is to be both people- and purpose-driven and to anticipate the moments of conflict and of celebration. This amazing industry is all about passion, human energy, and taking care of one another. Our teams and our guests. And when in doubt, add roast chicken! Everything is made better with a roast chicken.”
Lee Pillsbury ‘69
/in Hotelie for Life/by Robert MandelbaumLee Pillsbury ‘69, Chairman – TenX Healthcare Systems, Chairman – TLG Investment Partners, Managing Director – Thayer Ventures, shares with us what it means to him to be a Hotelie for Life®.
“I’m a Hotelie For Life. I’m fortunate to be part of the best network in the country. It has empowered my success, strengthened my family, and supported me when I struggled. It is at the core of how my life works: Network-Connect-Collaborate.”
Mercy Me – Cocktails in Person!
/in Chapter Event/by Robert MandelbaumThe CHS Washington DC/Baltimore Chapter hosted their first in-person and virtual programming event of 2021! Attendees gathered at Mercy Me at Yours Truly (one of DC’s newest hotels) for a cocktail making class, networking, and hotel property tour. The event was held on one of their outdoor patios, with social distancing considered. The Chapter also provided CHS members with a virtual option. Attendees were able to order their own cocktail making kit from Mercy Me’s website for pick up and then join online via a live stream of the cocktail class and online networking after.