Daring To Be Great: Leadership Insights With Lavaud Petion

Q&A with Banquet Captain - Lavaud Petion

Describe your professional journey/path in the hospitality industry (and at Davidson). What was your first position and why did it appeal to you?

I started as a busser, then became a food runner. I worked at another hotel and my manager recruited me to come work with him when he started at Bakers’s Cay in Key Largo.

How did you end up in your current role?

I started working in banquets here at Baker’s Cay and I was promoted into a captain position last year.

What do you love about this industry?

I love working for Davidson because is a good place to work and you get opportunities to grow.

What do you love about your role/ what inspires you to be great?

I love my position as a Banquet captain, because I love to make the guests happy. I really appreciate how open we are about what we do, and how we try to push our knowledge out beyond the team.

What are your professional aspirations; where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

I want to develop my leadership and organizational skills. And to do a great job and see where my talents take me.

What advice/tips resonated with you most from mentors throughout your career?

Work with people who nourish you and be a team player.

What advice would you give someone who is coming up?

Where you are right now isn’t where you’ll end up.

Anything else you want to add?

I’m happy to be a part of a great team.