Keith Hess - More on the new management of The Guesthouse @ Graceland

Keith Hess

Well friends, looks like EPE has once again pulled in a great one! The Guesthouse at Graceland will have top shelf management and service. Now let's work on the crime in the area and also hope it does not become like first class downtown hotels where ladies of the evening frequent especially during Elvis Week. It's very offensive to women and families yet beyond obvious.

Advice to Mr. Hess, beyond your expertise, listen to Jack Soden and all the staff that has been there from day 1. They know the fans!  Recognize the faithful fans who come every year, save year round to be there, not just the hipster who will be there on a road trip and never again. We are your best customers! Elvis fans are the very best! We are not to be judged by anything but our loyalty to the king of Rock n Roll. Elvis was the best and we expect the best! Judging from your resume, we have gotten the best! Good luck and see you in October!

Here is more about Keith:

Background

Area Managing Director
Pyramid Hotel Group LLC
General Manager
Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa
Pre-Opening General Manager
Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa
Member, Engineering Department
Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa
General Manager
Hilton O'Hare International Airport
President
Motel Association
President
Nebraska Hotel
General Manager
Double Tree Hotel
Management Positions
Double Tree Hotel
President
Greater Omaha SKAL club
Board Memberships and Affiliations
Board Member
Nebraska Restaurant Association
Executive Board Member
Nebraska Restaurant Association


Since 1985 Keith Hess has developed a diverse and interesting background in Hotel operations. This background includes pre opening assignments with Hotel openings for large resort Hotels in Florida to opening and or transitoning /reflagging smaller City Center Hotels in gateway cites such as St. Louis and Chicago.
Experience includes operations in food and beverage,rooms,revenue management ,engineering and accounting.

Experience

Vice President -Operations
Pyramid Hotel Group
2012 – Present (4 years)
Operational support for Hotel teams with Hilton,Hyatt,Starwood, IHG and Marriott brands.Owner relations and Hotel CAP reviews(comprehensive asset performance reviews) Hotel due diligence and transition functions working closely with New Business Development team.
Area Managing Director
Pyramid Hotel Group
2009 – Present (7 years)
Area Managing Director - Hotel Management-Chicago .
Hotel Management of 5 full service hotels in the midwest region representing the following brands ,Hilton, Hyatt and Starwood. Keith has been with Pyramid Hotel Group for 3 years and has participated in due dilgence,transitions and CAPS reviews for 10 Hotels across North America. Keith has also reflagged and repositioned 2 Hotels for Pyramid Hotel Group.
Area Managing Director
Pyramid Advisors
2009 – Present (7 years)

General Manager
HILTON CHICAGO OHARE
2007 – 2009 (2 years)Greater Chicago Area
General Manager for 860 Room Hilton Hotel located in the 2ed busiest Airport in United States.Resonsible for total operations and revenue management of this owned and managed Hotel by Hilton Worldwide Corp.

General Manager
Hilton Worldwide
September 2002 – April 2007 (4 years 8 months)
Pre-opening and opening of award winning 4 diamond convention Hilton Hotel attached to the Qwest Center Omaha.

Honors & Awards

General Manager of the year
Promus Hotel Corp.
April 1998
Keith is an award winning General Manager and has been a General Manager since 1995, achieving General Manager of the year for Promus Hotel Corp. in 1998 ,along with many other awards and achievements as a General Manager

Source: Megan Murphy - Various