Ed Duess

Hometown: Bucks County, PA

Current Location: Los Angeles, CA

My favorite moment at BU was meeting some of my best friends through SHA. I have had the privilege of not only meeting them, but working with them at various hotels, and even living with one for a little bit. The size of SHA really facilitates an environment of comfort, it is a great place to make friends and acquaintances.

What was your first full-time job? How did you end up in your current position?

After working as a bellman at the Westin, I progressed to a concierge, and then to an Intern at The New York Palace. After graduation, I become an Assistant Manager at The New York Palace. I was then selected as Front Office Manage to open a new luxury hotel on NYC’s upper-east side called “The Surrey”. After The Surrey was up and running I moved out to Los Angeles, and was a department head of the Front Office and F&B departments of The London West Hollywood. With many years of Operations Experience, I decided to make a transition into sales and am now a Sales Manager at The Beverly Hilton, one of LA’s most famed hotels (home to The Golden Globes).

Please describe your current role. How did your SHA education impact your career?
As Executive Sales Manager at The Beverly Hilton, I work with our high-end corporate groups. I spend majority of my time networking with potential clients, and really focus on businesses development for the hotel. As we are now in the process of building a Waldorf-Astoria right next door, we want to ensure we put focus on our high-end groups to build for future business of our new sister property.

Any advice for current and prospective students?

Do not get frustrated, although you will. Hospitality is an industry for passionate individuals. It will break you down on more than one occasion, and you do not want to let it demotivate you. We have an exciting industry, that can lead to amazing opportunities, so keep strong and work hard.