National Engineers Week

Engineers make such a positive contribution to the quality of life everywhere. This week in celebration and in gratitude, we are proud to recognize the following individuals:

What do you love about engineering?

What I love about Engineering is having the ability to assist properties solve problems, being innovating and being able to educate and mentor others to Be Passionate About What You DO, Serve Others with Love including external as well as internal guests. Engineering is also all about Creating Value in All You Do rather it’s with operations or our Owners/ Capital partners.

How does engineering make a difference at your property?

Our Engineering team throughout our Portfolio always Have Each Other’s Backs rather they collaborate within their property or reaching out to other properties or Regional Director of Engineers in order to solve issues at hand. Davidson’s vast and growing portfolio of VERY skilled Engineers across North America are always Being Inclusive, because Together We Are Stronger!

Can you share a memory or moment from your past that fostered/inspired your interest in a career in engineering?

Back in 2007 at the historic Hotel Galvez in my hometown of Galveston, Texas, where I was a evening shift engineer, I was able to help guest face to face. Seeing the satisfaction of solving issues and making their stay memorable not only by making repairs to their issue, but also communicating with the guests on local activities and attraction to visit while in town. While, I’m was in the Engineering department, I’m also in the Hospitality industry, which requires us to be proactive and Always Do What’s Right! It was at that point when the guest I was helping revealed to me that he was the VP of Engineering for Hilton and invited me to apply for a Director of Engineering Position at a under construction Hilton Garden Inn. I then realized that this was a calling to pursue this industry to its fullest as Greatness Requires Risk! From a stationary engineer to a Director of Operation, this industry requires you to Stay Hungry but Stay Humble and through it all, I’ve came back to Engineering to continue my journey!

What do you love about engineering?

Engineering gives me the ability to affect change while being able to create memorable experiences for the guests. My career throughout my life has been about problem solving and working with internal and external guests to bring their vision alive.

How does engineering make a difference at your property?

Our engineering team works with team members throughout the property to create the best experiences for our guests. Whether it be through ensuring the property is in working order or helping build champagne walls, ramps or hanging decorations to exceed the expectations of our guests.

Can you share a memory or moment from your past that fostered/inspired your interest in a career in engineering?

Throughout my 20 years of construction, I have had the ability to help customers through being the unsung hero and never being able to serve them personally. Through an unfortunate event I had to undergo multiple surgeries on my right wrist and towards the end of recovery I was released to light duty. With there being no such thing as light duty in construction I took a position in night audit for about six months. This is where I fell in love with the opportunity to interact with guests personally and I knew the hospitality industry was where I wanted to be moving forward. At this point is where I started looking for opportunities that my skill set would fit better within Hospitality!!!!

What do you love about engineering?

The project (whatever it may be) as it progresses to see results. To touch something with your hands and to repair it, there is also great satisfaction in troubleshooting and repairing a piece of mechanical or electrical equipment and having it work.

How does engineering make a difference at your property?

Our hope here as an Engineering team is to take the stress off of other departments. We support one another and provide what each department needs to succeed. Most of all, our work ultimately leads to the support of keeping our guests satisfied.

Can you share a memory or moment from your past that fostered/inspired your interest in a career in engineering?

I gain great satisfaction in taking care of others. Before being employed in the Hospitality world, I had several corporate clients that I took care of (HVAC, Plumbing, refrigeration and electrical. Over time, I built a relationship with these clients, and with that came a level of trust. An individual from one of these corporations said to me one day “One day I want you to be the person to take care of all of our properties”. I knew at that time that it was more than a job, it was the confidence they had in what I could do.

What do you love about engineering?

The constant challenge to discover a solution in every situation, regardless how large or small or how impossible it may seem at the time.

How does engineering make a difference at your property?

Their ability to always make something better than the way they found it.

Can you share a memory or moment from your past that fostered/inspired your interest in a career in engineering?

I always grew up working in the trades, but a previous boss of mine inspired me to pursue a career in Engineering, and his mentorship and direction helped me foster the love for the job that I have now.