"The foundation of having an incredible mix of business-oriented professors and working in the industry was a huge value-add for my career."
In what ways has Saunders/RIT prepared you for the job market?
The foundation of having an incredible mix of business-oriented professors and working in the industry was a huge value-add for my career. Those skills catapulted me not only to be able to manage hospitality but expand into other property sectors, including office, retail and industrial.
What is your favorite RIT memory?
My favorite memory of RIT is by and far meeting my wife, Tracy. She and I were the only two to show up for a canceled class, so we started a conversation and the rest is history!
What is your career highlight?
My career highlight has been working at JLL, a global commercial real estate firm, and managing 3,000 properties with 750 million square feet of office, retail and industrial. Since I started with the firm, my mission has been to disrupt the office experience and curate experiences in office space that are more in line with the hospitality experience. Today’s office is much more of a relaxed, welcoming environment with many spaces featuring coffee bars, pool tables, lounges and amenities you didn’t see ten plus years ago.
What does being an RIT alumnus/a mean to you?
It’s very exciting as an alumnus and now a professional in my field to work with RIT and share my experiences with the next generation of property managers, including where I think the future of hospitality is headed. I wanted to thank RIT, especially Liam Welch, who has partnered with JLL and worked tirelessly to advance our partnership.