Timothy Lam
MIBS, MS, CHT, CGSP
Executive Director
BS Wake Forest University
MIBS University of South Carolina
MS University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Tim is a founder and Executive Director of The International School of Hospitality.
Tim holds two master’s degrees, in international business and in hotel administration. He is a past president and current trustee of the Foundation of NACE.
Tim has received numerous awards and distinctions from the National Association for Catering and Events including the Presidents List twice, Legacy Spotlight Member, Volunteer Excellence Award twice, and Las Vegas Chapter Spirit of NACE award twice. He was also the Honoree of the 2016 Las Vegas Chapter gala.
Tim has served on the boards and committees of the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association, the Nevada Restaurant Association, and the Las Vegas New Century Lions Club.
Dr. Donnell Bayot
CHE, CPCE, CFBE
Director of Academic Affairs
Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
BS, M.Ed. Regis University
Donnell earned his Ph.D. in Workforce Development and Organizational Leadership. He is currently Chair and Commissioner for the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training, Public Commissioner for the Events Industry Council’s CMP Governance Commission, Board of Advisor member for the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association, and a Trustee of the Innovations International Charter School of Nevada.
Donnell’s research on competency models has made an impact in academia and industry. His Ph.D. dissertation created a competency model for catering and event professionals. His efforts were rewarded by the Event Industry Council, the pre-eminent hospitality umbrella organization with 26 individual association members covering over 100,000 members, with their Pacesetter award in 2014.
Marcus Lam
CHT, CGSP
Director of Admissions & Recruitment
BA Wake Forest University
Marcus joined TISOH in 2007 after five years as the vice president for sales and marketing for Light Project International, Inc., outside Washington, D.C.
As director of admissions and recruitment, he has helped pioneer the school’s outreach efforts to draw local and international students to TISOH. Marcus has established relationships within Nevada and beyond to recruit students aspiring to careers in the hospitality industry. Marcus is a certified hospitality trainer (CHT) and a certified guest service professional (CGSP). He is fluent in Chinese and holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology.
Dr. Sean McCray
MA, CHE, CHIA, CGSP
Associate Director of Academic Affairs
Ph.D. University of Nevada, Las Vegas
BA MA Western Kentucky University
Sean brings a wealth of experience in continuing and adult education from his time as Assistant Director of the Academic Advising and Retention Center at Western Kentucky University. There, he created and implemented an online tutoring program to allow real-time academic assistance for distance and non-traditional students. He also conducted research on best practices in supplemental education.
During his tenure at Western Kentucky, McCray designed, implemented, and managed the expansion of two learning center satellite locations. Under his leadership, the centers received certification from the College Reading and Learning Association.
Sean served as president of the Ohio River Valley Region College Reading and Learning Association; he was a member and Chair of MPI Volunteer Task Forces; has participated in numerous On-Site Accreditation audits for ACCET; and currently serves on the board of the Las Vegas Chapter of the Association for Talent and Development.
Advisory Board
Gary McCreary
Executive Vice President, Operations – Growth Strategy
GoGather
Gary is EVP of GoGather, a strategic corporate event management agency that handles the logistics for corporate conferences, incentive trips, meetings, and more. He previously was vice president of catering & convention operations for The Venetian Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada, where he oversaw a banquet operations department that generated over 130 million dollars annually.
Prior, Gary worked for the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) as an international meeting planner based out of Dallas, Texas. He also worked for the legendary Loews Anatole Hotel, where he was director of catering and then assistant director of conference management.
Jeanne Mills
Chef Concierge
ARIA Resort Casino and Vdara Hotel & Spa
With 33 years of experience, Jeanne was instrumental in the development and implementation of six concierge desks located within major resorts and casinos along the Las Vegas Strip. Her tenure in Las Vegas also included leading a department of 61 concierges, which encompassed the largest concierge staff located within any one hotel in the world. She served with distinction on the national board of directors for Les Clefs d’Or USA from 2002-2013, holding various significant positions including treasurer, director of fundraising and public relations, congress liaison, director of concierge relations, vice president, and president.
In April 2013, Mills was elected to serve as the zone director of the Americas for the prestigious Union Internationale des Concierges d’Hotels, Les Clefs d’Or International. In this role, she provided leadership to members representing more than 5 countries, all distinguished by the crossed golden keys worn on their uniform lapels. Most recently, Jeanne served as the chef concierge of the iconic Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, before returning to Las Vegas as the chef concierge of Aria and Vdara Resorts.
Harvey Stern
Chief Executive Officer
Destinations by Design
Harvey is CEO of Destinations by Design (DBD), a creative operator of destination management, event production, and wedding curation. Prior to joining DBD, he held positions with Bellagio Resort and Casino, The Standard Club of Chicago, Four Seasons Hotels in Chicago, and The Pierre in New York City. Harvey is a past president of Foundation of NACE.
Harvey is an intentional hospitality personality. He has a passion for the hospitality industry, often speaking to organizations, associations, and colleges on topics that include understanding and developing your career, sales, and catering leadership, event and operational strategies, and his current passion topic, the Door Frame Concept.
Tyler Stewart
Vice-President of Sales
ARIA Resort Casino and Vdara Hotel & Spa
Tyler joined MGM Resorts after a sixteen-year career at Las Vegas Sands Corporation, where he served in various sales and leadership roles at The Venetian, The Palazzo, and the Sands Expo and Convention Center.
Tyler is involved in various industry associations including the Professional Convention Management Association, Meetings Professional International, and the International Association of Exhibition and Events. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University and the Aspen Institute First Movers Fellowship Program, the leading global network for professional development of corporate social intrapreneurs. Tyler is a passionate hospitality advocate, change agent, and dynamic sales leader within the hospitality sales industry.
Marti Winer
General Manager
Casa Bonita
Marti is the general manager of Casa Bonita in Denver, Colorado. Casa Bonita is an iconic venue, known as the original immersive experience. She was formerly vice president of operations at MGM Resorts Event Productions, where she oversaw a team of professionals who created hundreds of events annually. Prior to MGM, Marti served as vice president of university relations at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey.
Marti is an energetic leader with a track record of success in utilizing communications, events, marketing, and analytics in corporate and entrepreneurial environments.
Instructors and Lecturers
Clifford Anderson
Clifford Anderson
Clifford is a solution and engagement leader at Aristocrat. He was previously the chef concierge at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and the Delano Las Vegas. Prior, Clifford was the assistant chef concierge of both Mandalay Bay and the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. He was a member of Les Clefs d’Or USA while serving as a professional hotel concierge, and past president of the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association.
Nelandra Anselmo
Nelandra Anselmo
MS, SPHR CHE
Nelandra Anselmo is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Certified Job and Career Development Coach, and Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE). With over 17 years of HR experience, she has served as director of human resources with Station Casinos (Fiesta Casino & Hotel) and Cannery Casino Resorts (Rampart Casino and Cannery Casino & Hotel). She has also held management positions within other hospitality organizations, including Coast Casinos, in the areas of employee relations, health and wellness, and organizational learning and development.
Nelandra is the founder of True Core Business Wellness, a coaching and consulting
firm that offers human resource consulting services and individual career and transition coaching.
Donnell Bayot
Donnell Bayot
PhD CHE CPCE CFBE
Donnell is the director of academic affairs at The International School of Hospitality. Prior to his current position at TISOH, he was the director of religious education for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas. Donnell is a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE), a Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE), and holds a Ph.D. in Workforce Development and Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Donnell is an event planner at heart, having planned numerous conferences, social, and corporate events large and small over the years.
Debbie Brumfield
Debbie Brumfield
CHE Les Clefs d’Or
Debbie is the chef concierge of The Green Valley Ranch Resort and Casino. She was previously the director of citywide concierge for Caesars Entertainment, in charge of the concierge departments at all Caesars resorts in Las Vegas. Prior, Debbie was the director of guest services at the Alicart Restaurant Group and chef concierge of the world-famous Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Debbie is a past president of the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association (SNHCA) and has held board positions for ten years. She is a member of the prestigious Les Clefs d’Or USA, the only national association of professional concierges in the United States.
Kenny Cho
Kenny Cho
CHE
Kenny is the executive director of housekeeping, EVS, and uniform controls at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino. He graduated from UNLV with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel Administration, Magna Cum Laude. He was selected to participate in MGM Resorts International’s Management Associates Program (Management Training Program) as well as DIRECT Program. He has held various positions in the industry including director of housekeeping and EVS, assistant hotel manager, assistant executive housekeeper, transportation manager, and gaming surveillance operator.
Shirley Fugazzotto
Shirley Fugazzotto
CSEP CHE
Shirley Fugazzotto was owner and creative designer of the Stellar Experience, a boutique event design and production company, serving corporate clients in the Las Vegas market. Before creating the Stellar Experience, she held director and management positions in several prestigious Las Vegas properties, in the areas of weddings, catering, sales, and convention center special events. Shirley served for several years on the board of directors of the Las Vegas Chapter of the International Live Events Association, including as past president. She has earned the Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) designation, and has been an active mentor for those considering advancing in the hospitality industry.
Carolyn Kelly-Shelton
Carolyn Kelly-Shelton
Carolyn is an experienced human resources manager with a demonstrated history of
working in the hospitality industry. She is skilled in budgeting, compensation, team building, public speaking, and management. Carolyn received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management focusing in human resources management/personnel administration.
Timothy Lam
Timothy Lam
MIBS MS CHT CGSP
Tim is a bilingual hospitality and marketing professional with a BS in Business Management from Wake Forest University, a Master of International Business degree focusing in International Marketing from the University of South Carolina, and a Master of Science degree in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Tim has hotel management experience from Caesars Palace and has served as the executive director of TISOH since its founding. Tim was named to the Top 50 Most Intriguing Alum list of the Harrah Hospitality College of Hospitality at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and also to BizBash’s Top 500 People in Events.
Cheri Licha
Cheri Licha
MS PHRca GPHR SCP
Cheri is a human resource champion. She is privileged to have affected 100,000+ employees in their careers and professional development. Cheri always emphasized a participatory experience by developing new applicant processes, orientation programs, internal development & promotion initiatives, engagement emphasis, and constant HR protocol review. She is committed to HR’s strategic role in the success and support of core business.
Sean McCray
Sean McCray
PhD, MA, CHE, CHIA, CGSP
Sean McCray is the associate director of academic affairs for The International School of Hospitality (TISOH) in Las Vegas, Nevada. McCray joined TISOH in 2014 to review, revise, and update curriculum content in collaboration with instructors and industry professionals to ensure students learn the cutting-edge skills needed to launch or advance their careers in hospitality. Sean holds doctor of philosophy degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Patricia A. Norman
Patricia A. Norman
CMP CHE
For more than 20 years, Patricia has been the director of meeting and conference planning for the National Medical Association. She has served on the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau advisory boards for Hawaii and Baltimore. Patricia has also been a member of the Multicultural Advisory Board for Hilton Hotels Corporation and served on the Board of Directors for the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners.
Cheryl Sgovio
Cheryl Sgovio
CPCE CHE
Cheryl is the director of catering and convention sales for the Thomas & Mack
Center, Cox Pavilion, and Sam Boyd Stadium. She is responsible for booking all private events in the three venues, with a combined space of over 150,000 square feet, as well as overseeing all catering for public events, averaging over 2,300 individual events per year. Cheryl was the founding vice president, and then president of the Las Vegas Chapter of NACE.
Rebecca Stebbins
Rebecca Stebbins
MBA CMP CHE
Rebecca brings a wealth of knowledge and years of catering, event, and wedding planning experience to TISOH. She is currently the director of celebrations at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. Cheryl has held numerous leadership roles within the Junior League of Las Vegas, the National Association of Catering and Events (NACE), the Las Vegas Hospitality Association (LVHA), and is a past president of the Las Vegas Chapter of the Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA).
Rebecca has completed her master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) at her alma mater, Bay Path University, in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. She is a CMP (Certified Meeting Planner) and received the designation of CHE (Certified Hospitality Educator) from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute.
Lenny Talarico
Lenny Talarico
CSEP CHE
Lenny is the chief experiential architect for Lenny Talarico Productions, an
event management and consulting firm dedicated to enhancing businesses by telling their brand’s story through special events and engagements. He is an award-winning internationally recognized event producer, industry speaker, former executive director of MGM Resorts Event Productions, and long-time instructor at The International School of Hospitality.
Lenny was recognized for his work with ESPRIT and GALA Awards. Credentials and additional accolades followed, including recognition as “Event Planner of the Year” through Event Solutions Magazine, named “One of the Most Influential People in Events” through Biz Bash Magazine, and the prestigious Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) designation. Partnering with industry
executives, he founded TISOH’s Design Lab to offer a tactile, experiential learning environment to inspire competence and creativity across a diverse hospitality curriculum.
Kelly Thompson
Kelly Thompson
CSEP
Kelly is a seasoned special event and sales professional with over 10 years
experience. Throughout her career, she has produced a variety of events including brand experiential activations, festivals (for up to 10,000 people), roadshows, incentives, product launches, unique special events, conferences, and meetings. Her diverse role as a producer or project manager has allowed her the ability to develop and deliver fresh and innovative solutions for each experience. Kelly earned the international credential of Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP). She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from UNLV and certificates in Conference Management and Event Planning, as well as in Event Design and Production from The International School of Hospitality.
Eden Viray
Eden Viray
Eden Viray is beverage manager at the Tuscany Suites Hotel and Casino. Previously, she was Assistant Hotel Manager also at Tuscany. Eden got her start in the hotel industry as a Front Desk Agent for Harrah’s Hotel and Casino and later was promoted to Guest Service Manager at The Linq Hotel & Casino.
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