Newest Class Begins the Hospitality Leadership Development Institute

September 30, 2002

Pictured at the Tate Center for Entrepreneurship is the newest class of the Hospitality Leadership Development Institute. Business professor John C. Crotts (far right) is the Institute’s director.

On September 18, eighteen middle managers of Charleston’s leading hospitality organizations began the fall session of the Hospitality Leadership Development Institute, established by the School of Business and Economics at the College of Charleston.

The purpose of the Institute is to provide promising managers of Charleston’s hospitality industry a managerial educational opportunity that will enhance their career development and professional growth. According to John Crotts, the Institute’s director, “Today, young managers seek career enrichment and development opportunities that not only improve their skills, but also challenge them to see the big picture. The curriculum –designed by leaders of Charleston’s hospitality community – is focused on the competency areas and leadership skills needed by today’s managers, regardless of function areas.”

The six-day program, spanning three months, focuses on a progressive series of topics including “Improving Your Effectiveness as a Hospitality Manager,” “Managing the Guest Experience,” and “Selling Change and Continuous Improvement Within One’s Organization.”

Sponsors for this fall’s courses are Kiawah Island Resort, The Mills House Hotel, Wild Dunes Resort, The Westin Francis Marion, Embassy Suites North Charleston Convention Center, Embassy Suites Historic District, Renaissance Hotel – Marriott Hotels, Prince-Bush Management Company – Holiday Inn Historic District, Premiere Hospitality Group – Hampton Inn – Daniel Island, Maverick Southern Kitchens, Charming Inns – Rutledge House, Charlestown Management – French Quarter Inn, and Quality Suites Convention Center.

This newest class of the program includes the following professionals: Susan E. Aldrich, Wild Dunes Resort; Christopher R. Burkhart, Westin Francis Marion; Pamela DeAndrade, Kiawah Island Resort; Jim DiCara, The Mills House Hotel; Tracy Fandrich, Maverick Southern Kitchens, Inc.; Jack Geraci, French Quarter Inn at Market Square; Isaac Hand, Quality Suites Convention Center; Charles Lauer, Embassy Suites–North Charleston Convention Center; Toby Leibin, Embassy Suites–North Charleston Convention Center; Kim Mace, Renaissance Charleston Hotel; Kyle G. Markgraf, Wild Dunes Resort; Mike Perry, Embassy Suites Hotel; Michael Alexander Rowell, Prince-Bush Management Company; Dee Schoen, Kiawah Island Resort; Jenny Vogler, Charming Inns; David Warren, Hampton Inn–Daniel Island; Heather Woychick, Kiawah Island Resort; and Jon Zigler, Wild Dunes Resort.

For more information about the Hospitality Leadership Development Institute, please contact the Institute’s director, Dr. John C. Crotts, at (843) 953-6916 or by email at crottsj@cofc.edu.

Contact: Patrick Harwood
College Relations
(843) 953-2548
harwoodp@cofc.edu