Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Openings
Awards
Timeline
Generic

Mairead Hennessy

Summary

A purpose-driven and intellectually curious hospitality leader with a proven track record in developing and leading high-performing cross-functional teams. Possessing strong strategic abilities, I excel in assessing operations, project management, and prioritizing purpose, people, and process to consistently deliver profitable results. Known for my visionary leadership, I bring expertise in advisory, multi-unit management, pre-opening, renovation, and expansion. I am highly regarded for my energetic leadership style and superior business acumen, with a keen focus on sales and operational excellence.

Overview

31
31
years of professional experience

Work History

Vice President of Advisory Operations

Dragonfly Strategists
06.2022 - Current
  • Operational Leadership across the advisory practice to support full time and contracted team members for hospitality technology search and implementations to include, POS, PMS, CRM, membership systems, procurement systems, system integrations, change management and operational quality assurance processes as contracted by our clients for new, existing, and developing full service, independent and boutique hotel, club and resort properties.
  • Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.

Licensed Agent

Unitrust Financial
12.2021 - 06.2022
  • Analyzed customer requirements to determine which products or services would provide best fit.

General Manager of Hotel Operations

Sandia Resort and Casino
03.2021 - 12.2021
  • Leadership for the Tribal Casino Resort including re-opening of a fully renovated Hotel and Food and Beverage Operation with extensive food and beverage venues, Golf and Event Center, Green Reed Spa, Rooms Operations, Housekeeping, Transportation, Valet Services and Hotel and Event Sales
  • Food and beverage outlets included upscale dining, four fast casual concepts, lounge operations, banquet and amphitheater operations and positioning a newly built 400 seat sports bar
  • Hired 750 team members and leaders to support resort operational excellence.
  • Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.

General Manager

Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton
11.2018 - 03.2020
  • Leadership responsibility for the upscale rancho California style 215-room 4 diamond garden property with 18K' of event and meeting space
  • Implemented strategic plans for operating the resort that included leadership re-engineering and implementation of staffing efficiencies to improve financial performance in a highly seasonal market
  • Lead the Quality Assurance implementation of Hilton Standards under the Hilton Curio flag after many years as an independent property
  • Property closed due to COVID-19.

General Manager

Estancia Hotel & Spa
04.2017 - 10.2018
  • Leadership responsibility for operational excellence for the upscale 10-acre 210-room 4-diamond garden property with 24K' of event and meeting space
  • Achieved 6% growth in rooms revenues with 105% Rev Par Index
  • Improved food and beverage and ancillary spend by 8%
  • Implemented strategic and tactical plans for operating the resort that included team leadership re-engineering, and implementation of innovative and creative strategies to effectively differentiate the resort.

District Manager/Northern California

Aramark Hotel and Conference Centers
06.2011 - 04.2017
  • Multi-Unit District Leadership for Northern California accounts including general management of Historic Asilomar Conference Center (313 room, 65K' of meeting and event space over 107 acres on the tip of the Monterey peninsula) and strategic oversight of accounts at Monterey Bay Aquarium (food service), Hearst Castle (food service) and Mission Bay Conference Center at University of California San Francisco
  • Responsibilities include effective communications of district initiatives for maximizing service, maintaining, and improving associate engagement, coordination of historical, environmental, and sustainable initiatives, capital improvement, financial efficiency and productivity, and initiation of strong property sales and marketing practices
  • Management of $21 million-dollar capital improvement project to preserve and improve historic state assets and reposition Asilomar Conference Center
  • Negotiated 3 Collective Bargaining agreements (conference centers and Monterey Bay Aquarium accounts)
  • Acted as a strategic partner with California State Parks and UCSF Student Life Services to grow the hotel and conference center business from $23,000,000 to $33,000,000 annually over six years
  • District Revenues $40 million dollars.

General Manager

Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport
07.2007 - 06.2011
  • Leadership responsibility for a 336-room airport property with 20K' of event and meeting space
  • Responsibilities include directing and delegating hotel operations and maintaining an engaged service culture
  • Direct responsibility for owner relations and corporate communication
  • Daily responsibilities include effective communications of hotel-wide initiatives for maximizing service levels, maintaining, and improving associate engagement, efficiency and productivity, financial analysis and support of the hotel operations and sales and marketing
  • Completed rooms and public area renovations
  • Revenues of $21 million dollar.

Senior Director of Food and Beverage

Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego
09.2005 - 07.2007
  • Responsibilities included multi-property oversite, annual quality assurance assessments, Operational Excellence communication and alignment, and analytical and financial reporting to the Vice President of Food and Beverage
  • A 1,600-room property with a $60 million annual F&B operation with 320K' of meeting, exhibit and event space, 3 full-service bars, 3 full-service restaurants, 3 coffee concepts, room service for two towers and a retail shop
  • Exceeded 39% operating profit margin
  • Senior Director responsibilities include product development and mentoring of 5 area Directors of Food and Beverage for 6 properties totaling $190,000,000 annual revenues.
  • Championed continuous improvement initiatives to drive operational excellence within the organization.
  • Implemented cost-saving measures through effective resource allocation and budget management.

Senior Director of Food and Beverage

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
10.2002 - 09.2005
  • Pre-opening and leadership responsibility for a high caliber 4-diamond, 64-acre resort on Pacific Coast Highway which included concept refinement, OSE selection, and establishing standard operating procedures for the resort
  • In addition, responsibilities included talent selection, staff training and developing a guest forward service culture
  • A $29 million annual F&B revenues within a 520-room resort with 110K' of meeting, exhibit and event space, a 4-diamond restaurant and bar, a surf themed restaurant, a grocery/deli concept, room service and ice cream shop
  • Senior Director responsibilities included seven resort properties totaling $170,000,000 annual revenues.
  • Developed strong relationships with key industry partners, fostering collaboration and mutual growth opportunities.

General Manager

Hyatt Regency Orange County
04.2001 - 10.2002
  • Responsible for extensive re-positioning of the food and beverage operations relating to a $47 million hotel expansion
  • The scope included expanding the hotel from 340 rooms to 730 rooms, expanding banquet operations to 65K' of meeting space, improved BOH operations, consolidating two restaurants to a full-service restaurant and lobby bar operation and adding two license agreement concepts (Starbucks/Pizza Hut)
  • Annual F&B revenues of $15,000,000
  • Union Property
  • Senior Director responsibilities included six business properties totaling $75,000,000
  • Annual revenues.

Director of Food and Beverage

Hyatt Hotels
10.1993 - 03.2001
  • Director responsibilities included property specific hotel food and beverage P&L responsibility, talent development and service training, product management, logistics, marketing, and overall operational excellence.
  • Increased overall guest satisfaction by revamping menus and introducing innovative food and beverage offerings.
  • Maximized profitability with cost control measures, optimizing purchasing processes and reducing waste.
  • Collaborated with executive leadership to establish long-term goals and strategic plans for the food and beverage department.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Management

Johnson & Wales University
Providence, RI

Associate of Science - Culinary Arts

Johnson & Wales University
Providence, RI

Skills

  • Executive Team and Board Leadership
  • Capital and Strategic Planning
  • Budgeting & Forecasting
  • Union Negotiations
  • Licensing Agreements
  • Project Management
  • Quality Assurance
  • Revenue Management
  • Sales & Marketing
  • Staff Culture & Engagement
  • Food & Beverage Operational Excellence
  • P&L Management
  • Process Engineering
  • Golf & Spa Operations
  • Property Openings and Renovation
  • Team Leadership
  • Critical Thinking
  • Strategic Planning
  • Operations Management
  • Customer Service
  • Process Improvement
  • Staff Development
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Budget Oversight
  • Industry Best Practices
  • Sales and Marketing Leadership
  • OKRs and KPIs
  • Financial Management
  • Corporate Branding
  • Operational leadership
  • Performance Improvement
  • Relationship and Team Building
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Transformative leadership

Affiliations

  • 2019 – 2020: Indian Wells Golf Advisory Board
  • 2015 – 2017: Vice President/Board of Governors, Sports Car Association of Monterey Peninsula
  • 2012 – 2017: Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau (MCCVB) Execute Committee Board of Directors
  • 2015 - 2017: Chairperson MCCVB- Sales Committee, Compensation and Nominating Committee
  • 2013 – 2016: Aramark Campus Champion, UC Irvine, San Jose State University and Johnson & Wales University
  • 2012 – 2017: Hospitality Advisor, California State University Monterey Bay
  • 2011 – 2015: Education Committee, Monterey County Hospitality Association
  • 2011 – 2017: Board of Directors – Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce
  • 2011 – 2017: Board of Directors – California Parks Hospitality Association
  • 2008 – 2011: Board of Directors, Visit Pittsburgh
  • 2008 – 2011: Diversity Council, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
  • 2008 – 2011: Board of Directors, Pennsylvania Tourism and Lodging Association
  • 1995 – 1996: Chairperson, Share Our Strength, Taste of the Nation, Greenville South Carolina
  • 1995 – 1996: Board of Directors - Greenville South Carolina Restaurant Association
  • State of California Department of Real Estate Licensee #02093565

Openings

Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport/Victor Hotel, South Beach, Miami, Florida/Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa/Grand Hyatt Dallas Fort Worth, Texas/The Majestic Hotel, Yosemite National Park (a.k.a. Historic Ahwahnee Hotel), Interim General Manager/Wyndham Indianapolis West

Awards

  • Operations Excellence, General Manager of the Year, ARAMARK Conference Centers 2014
  • Operations Excellence, General Manager of the Year Nominee, ARAMARK Parks and Destinations – 2013
  • Pennsylvania Hospitality Association Community Award - 2011
  • Operations Award of Excellence, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts – 2006
  • Operations Award of Excellence, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts – 2001
  • Piedmont Area Restaurant Association, Restaurateur of the Year – 1996

Timeline

Vice President of Advisory Operations

Dragonfly Strategists
06.2022 - Current

Licensed Agent

Unitrust Financial
12.2021 - 06.2022

General Manager of Hotel Operations

Sandia Resort and Casino
03.2021 - 12.2021

General Manager

Miramonte Indian Wells Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton
11.2018 - 03.2020

General Manager

Estancia Hotel & Spa
04.2017 - 10.2018

District Manager/Northern California

Aramark Hotel and Conference Centers
06.2011 - 04.2017

General Manager

Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport
07.2007 - 06.2011

Senior Director of Food and Beverage

Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego
09.2005 - 07.2007

Senior Director of Food and Beverage

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
10.2002 - 09.2005

General Manager

Hyatt Regency Orange County
04.2001 - 10.2002

Director of Food and Beverage

Hyatt Hotels
10.1993 - 03.2001

Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Management

Johnson & Wales University

Associate of Science - Culinary Arts

Johnson & Wales University

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Mairead Hennessy