TOURISM & ENTERTAINMENT
{ TOURISM }
GUY BITTNER Resort manager The Phoenician thephoenician.com
Bittner joined The Phoenician in December 2014 after 10 years with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. In his current role, he oversees the daily operations for both the 643-room AAA Five Diamond resort and its boutique hotel, The Canyon Suites — one of only two Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond properties in Arizona. A native of Israel, he sits on the board of the Valley Hotel & Resort Association. Professional accomplishment: “Beyond the numbers, the financial achievements, it’s seeing individuals I mentored succeeding in their careers around the globe. I enjoy and am committed to helping others reach their potential.” Surprising fact: “I am an avid guitar player and not too bad with a riff. I have played for several internal functions here at The Phoenician.”
MICHAEL SURGUINE
Vice president and managing director Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain sanctuaryaz.com As vice president and managing director of Sanctuary , Surguine operates one of the country’s premier boutique resorts. His experience guides the executive team that oversees resort operations. Surguine joined Sanctuary in 2001 with an eye to reinventing the resort. He oversaw a full-scale remodeling, capturing the imagination of the public and the accolades of the travel industry. Surguine’s innovations have given Sanctuary an award-winning restaurant, spa and Mountainside Estates. Business advice: “Make sure you are passionate about the hospitality industry. If you are going to spend the time necessary to be successful, you need to love it or it will not work out well.” Superpower: “It would only apply to me and I would be the first person to run a sub-two-hour marathon.”
STEVE HART Area vice president Marriott International marriott.com
Hart, a 45-year hospitality veteran, has served Marriott for 39 of those years. Additionally, he developed the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa and opened the resort as general manager in 2002. He oversees all Marriott development and operations in Arizona. He is the driving force behind Marriott Worldwide Business Councils. Business advice: “Take awesome care of the people you work with and those you serve. Family is always first. Be committed. Have a terrific, want-to-serve attitude and be willing to take on additional responsibility.” Surprising fact: “I helped to create and blend our signature, single-barrel select bourbon that is served in our twenty6 lounge at Desert Ridge Resort. I wanted something that would appeal to a broader audience.”
DAVID KONG
President and CEO Best Western International bestwestern.com
Kong is a hospitality industry leader with more than four decades of experience. Since he was named president and CEO in 2004, Kong has led the company to its highest RevPAR Index of 110 in 2012 and 2013, as well as unprecedented performance in guest loyalty and hotel satisfaction. Business advice: “Don’t be concerned about career progression in the earlier stages of your career. It’s much more important to broaden horizons and build a solid foundation through lateral moves so when opportunities knock, you are ready.” Dream dinner: “Sun Tsu. ‘The Art of War’ contains many strategies that are relevant today.” Surprising fact: “My wife and I have been married for 38 years after dating for 10 years. We have never dated another person.”
JACK MILLER
General manager Fairmont Scottsdale Princess scottsdaleprincess.com Miller is a 40-year industry veteran. At the Princess, he has overseen the resort’s expansion with the Palomino Conference Center, 102 new rooms, Sunset Beach and award-winning events. Professional accomplishment: “Being recognized as the American Hotel & Lodging Association General Manager of the Year and awarded Fairmont Hotel of the Year clearly has been an amazing exclamation point to a rewarding 40-year career. It was humbling to have been chosen from an incredibly talented group of general managers throughout the U.S.” Surprising fact: “I never went to college. Starting my career as a dishwasher, I worked my way up to be youngest GM in history of Holiday Inn at the age of 22. I share this story to inspire young people to have dreams and work to achieve them. It is possible. Believe in yourself.” 188 ABL | Nominate at azBIGmedia.com