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Campus TourWhere Can a Degree in One of the
SOBA Options Place YOU ?
Joseph Marqua (1998 Grad)
Joseph "Jay" Marqua has degrees from the Culinary Institute of America and Fort Lewis College. His tourism experience includes owning and operating inns, resorts, restaurants and nightclubs. Jay has developed educational media programs and facilitated educational seminars for the University of New Haven Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration School. He currently serves as a principle in Sunray Park and Casino and as president of the Tourism and Hospitality Development Group. His company's client list has included organizations such as Amtrak, ARAMARK, and the Culinary Institute of America, Ritz Carlton, the Saint James Club in Antiqua and GWC Gaming. Jay remains an active speaker and trainer for tourism organizations.
Sean de Moraes (1998 Grad)
Sean de Moraes graduated from Fort Lewis in May of 98. Sean is the new General Manager of the Hotel Lenado in Aspen, CO. He was presented with this exciting job opportunity shortly after graduation. While attending college, he managed the Jarvis Suite Hotel and was promoted to manage the Best Western Mountain Shadows, also in Durango, a month before graduation. Some of Sean's past experience in the tourism industry include working in every department at the Ramada Inn in Glenwood Springs, Ski Instructor, Ski Patroller, and Rafting Guide. Sean was also awarded winner of the Fall 97 Tourism and Resort Management Project .
Julius J. Snell (1998 Grad)
Julius Snell graduated under the Tourism and Resort Management option. He is currently excelling as a travel consultant with TravelNavigator.com . He continues to show off his advanced design and programming capabilities. Most recently he created a new MS Outlook form to improve travel consultant productivity. Some of Julius' accomplishments include designer and editor of the first two issues of the Tourism Tattler , member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society, President/Treasurer of the Wanbli Ota Indian Club, participant in Habitat for Humanity and Trails 2000 and a youth camp advisor for Rocky Mountain Outdoor Sports.
Ben Friedland (1997 Grad)
Ben Friedland is a 1997 graduate of the Tourism and Resort Management program at Fort Lewis College. Ben is the new Communications Coordinator at Copper Mountain Resort. His duties include acting as media liaison, writing resort press releases and other copy, conducting familiarization tours, coordinating photography and video activities and acting as spokesperson on behalf of the resort. After graduation, Ben went directly to work for the Winter Park Ski Area and Resort as Communication Coordinator and Spokesperson. Additionally, he is the president of the area Resort Group and works directly various media organizations including the North American Ski Journalists Association. Ben has gained tourism experience as a Purgatory Resort Marketing associate while at Fort Lewis. Among his many duties, Ben was responsible for the Purgatory Snow Report and marketing surveys. His internship experience includes the Westin Hotel in Denver and Blockbuster Video. Decision-Making is the skill that Ben developed at FLC that he has used most in the industry. Ben remembers the friendliness of the Business School and how he was not just another number while at Fort Lewis College.
Scott Stevens (1997 Grad)
After graduation, Scott got a job with Northwestern Mutual Life, selling life insurance. After roughly seven months, a terrific opportunity became available to Scott, which he could not turn down. He is currently employed at New Technologies Inc. as the Product coordinator. New Technologies is a leading software and consulting company specializing in computer evidence detection and security. Scott has been trained in the use all of NTI's products and in the methodologies of computer security investigation. "I'm actually using what I learned in Senior Seminar" Scott says. You can e-mail Scott at scotts@teleport.com .
Jessica Lee-Domebo (1996 Grad)
Immediately following Jessica's graduation from Fort Lewis College, she tried her luck working the table games on the Las Vegas strip. After nine months on the strip, Jessica returned to Washington. Jessica is now a Tribal Gaming Agent/Inspector for the Colville Confederated Tribes of Eastern Washington. It is her responsibility to ensure all gaming employees adhere to set policies, procedures, ordinances, resolutions and State, Federal or Tribal laws.
Jessica was a member of the team that won the 1996 Tourism & Resort Management competition . Jessica believes the "commitment of the SOBA staff was outstanding". She is grateful for the Junior and Senior seminars which gave her the edge she needed in the business world.
Jennifer Shormann (1996 Grad)
Jennifer Shormann is currently the Front Office Assistant Manager of the Hyatt Regency in Beaver Creek, Colorado. She is a 1996 graduate from FLC that claims she has "Dr. Cook to thank for it all". Jennifer went straight to the Beaver Creek Hyatt after graduation. She spent her first five weeks as a PBX (switchboard) operator. She then moved to the Housekeeping Supervisor and Assistant Front Desk Manager positions. Jennifer is involved in the local community as a part of her duties at Hyatt. She gained experience while at FLC as the Manager of the Ralph Lauren Polo Factory Store. The skills Jennifer has needed the most, since graduation, include organization, time management and case auditing. Jennifer remembers spending plenty of time in Hesperus Hall (business), the Tourism and Resort Management semester project and banquet. She feels that the T&RM class "spurred" her interest in the industry and eventually led to her career choice.
Eric Simonich (1996 Grad)
Eric Simonich graduated from the SOBA in 1996 with a major in Tourism and Resort Management. Eric's experience within the industry has been varied. He started with an internship at Purgatory's Village Hotel learning about front desk duties, night audit, and housekeeping. During the summer of '96, Eric expanded his experiences to include special events with non-profit organizations. He was involved with the Olympic Torch Relay (Special Olympics and the United Way) through Coca-Cola event trailers. He even had an opportunity to carry the torch.
Before leaving the Four Corners Region, Eric was assistant ski coach for the Purgatory ski team. In May 1997 Eric moved north and joined the Marriott team at the DTC (Denver Tech Center). He started his time with them working as an associate in the deli and learning about the gift shop. Then in October 1999 he became a supervisor in the restaurant. Now, Eric is Facilities Manager with Courtyard Marriott in a 146 room facility. There he oversees housekeeping, accounting, engineering, human resources, front desk, and event planning.
Eric also wants you to know he married an anthropology major from FLC, Beth Zahmiser.
Daryl Smith (1996 Grad)
Daryl Smith currently serves as the Front Office Supervisor for Sonnenalp Resort in Vail, Colorado. Daryl Graduated from FLC in December 1996. While at Fort Lewis, Daryl completed a six-month paid internship as the Executive Assistant to the General Manager at Monarch Ski Area. Daryl was a member of both the Business Club and the Accounting Club. He found the job market to be plentiful when he graduated with a degree from Fort Lewis College. Daryl recommends tat you apply to all the resorts or organizations you might be interested in. This strategy will give you plenty of options, while letting the industry know who you are. The skills Daryl has needed the most in the "real world" are operations, finance and strategic management. His favorite memories are of "all the fun", the professors and the great learning environment.
Melissa (Wood) Berg (1995 Grad)
Melissa Berg graduated from Fort Lewis College in December 1995. She is currently the General Manager of the La Quinta Inn in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Melissa is involved with the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the InnKeepers Association and the One Hundred Percent education program. The skills Melissa has needed the most include accounting, researching, problem solving and time management. While at FLC, Melissa completed an internship as Assistant General Manager with the Durango Holiday Inn. Additionally, Melissa's internship included experience with computer science information systems, Maintenance and restaurant Management. Melissa's best memories from FLC include the Professors that inspired her, her Junior Year Trimester Abroad and all of the good friends she made.
Jill May (1995 Grad)
Jill May is a 1995 graduate from Fort Lewis College. Jill is currently an Admission Counselor at Fort Lewis College. She took this position in 1996. Her enthusiastic recruiting for the college takes her all over Colorado and the United States. Prior to Fort Lewis College, Jill was employed at Tamarron Resort.
Troy Norton (1994 Grad)
Troy Norton is a 1994 graduate from Fort Lewis College. He is currently the General Manager for Mountain Microfilm & Imaging, Inc. in Denver, CO. Troy was rapidly advanced within this company since his hiring two years ago. Mountain Microfilm & Imaging Inc. is an optical imaging service bureau converting documents to cd-rom storage. After graduation, Troy was employed with Holiday Inn as a Front Desk Clerk. There, he received a promotion to Night Manager. Troy feels the most useful experience gained from Tourism and Resort Management was customer service and group employment utilization skills. He is working to obtain his Microsoft Systems Engineer (MCSE+Internet) Certification. You can email Troy at MMIDEN@AOL.COM .
Gaye Furry (1993 Grad)
Gaye Furry is a 1993 graduate from Fort Lewis College. She is currently serving as the Project Developer for the Office of Community Development at FLC. Gaye has extensive experience in the tourism industry, particularly in the San Juan region of Colorado. She has worked on; the San Juan Historical Interpretive Guide, the Four Corners Heritage Council's designation of the Trail of the Ancients, the San Juan Skyway Strategic Framework Plan (corridor management plan and All-American road designation), and the 1 st Annual Local Government Grant and Loan Directory. Additionally, Gay has extensive experience as a historical researcher. She completed an independent study her senior year by developing a joint Arizona state University- Fort Lewis College interpretive program for Native American communities at historical sites. Gaye also completed an internship as a management consultant with the Four Corners Heritage Council. The skills that Gaye has used the most since graduation include; trend analysis, cash projections, finance, statistics, business calculus, and accounting. Her best memories of FLC include the personal attention she received from the Business School professors.
Kurt Berridge (1992 Grad)
Kurt Berridge holds a 1992-degree from Fort Lewis College and CHA certification. Kurt has gained experience as the General Manager of the Albuquerque Fairfield Inn and as the Front Office Manager of the Albuquerque Hilton. Additionally, Kurt has experience with Marriott, Ocean Properties Ltd., Holiday Inn and Courtyard by Marriott. Currently, Kurt is the General Manager of the Durango Holiday Inn. He also serves as the president of the Four Corners Area Holiday Inn Association and as vice-president of the local Hotel Association. Kurt completed an internship as the Evening Front Desk Manager of the Durango Holiday Inn. His internship was instrumental in launching his career with Ocean Properties. His great start helped Kurt reach General Manager by the age of 25. The skills Kurt has used the most include those that he learned through his internship and computer science information systems. His favorite memories from FLC include being on a first name basis with some professors, small classes and a great learning environment.
Dustin Coyhis (1992 Grad)
Dustin Coyhis is currently the Human Resources Administrator for MCI in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He received a double-major degree in 1992 form Fort Lewis College in Marketing and Tourism & Resort Management. Dustin has gained experience with Hyatt Hotels as a Management Trainee and Northstar Casino as the Marketing Manager. He has been employed with MCI over two and a half years. Dustin was involved with the area Chamber of Commerce and the RUFF Grouse Society while with Northstar Casino. Dustin completed an internship with Radisson hotels in 1991 while at FLC. The skills he has needed the most since FLC include customer service, leadership, communication, strategic management and critical thinking. Dustin's favorite memories of Fort Lewis College include mud football, the small town atmosphere, the small classes and the professors.
Jackie (Brozovich) Uhler (1992 Grad)
Jackie Uhler is a May of 1992 graduate of Fort Lewis College. Jackie accepted a position with Red Lion Inn directly after graduation. She is currently the Director of Room Operations at the Doubletree Hotel in Denver. Jackie has successfully filled the following positions with Red Lion; Front Desk, PBX Supervisor, Reservation Manager, Front Office Supervisor and Director of Front Office Services. While at FLC, Jackie completed an Internship with the Durango Red Lion. The skills gained at FLC that Jackie uses the most include discipline, organization and the "college experience". Senior Seminar with Dr. Cook was her favorite class. Jackie's favorite memories are of small classes, being known by her professors as more than just a number and personal contact with the school environment.
Chris Bettin (1992 Grad)
Chris currently resides on St. Simons Island, off the coast of Georgia, where he is the Rooms Division Manager for The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort. Chris credits Service Management, Operations, Small Business Consulting and Management Information Systems for giving him a "leg up" on the competition. While at FLC Chris completed an internship with Tamarron, and he worked as a Ski Instructor for Purgatory. Since his graduation in 1992 Chris has spent time at Innisbrook Hilton Resort and Tamarron. Among his vast experience, Chris has served as Conference Service Manage, Catering Manager and Front Desk Manager. He is certified with American Hotel & Motel Association as a Rooms Division Executive. Chris remembers Fort Lewis College for the skiing, three days of classes (so you can ski four) and the small one-on-one school environment.