John Fontana920 E Devonshire Ave. 4006

Phoenix, AZ 85014(240) 988-5927 johnfcryptic@aol.com

Seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry has track record in exceeding goals and creating value. Established a complete selling discipline that repositioned hotels as first choice destinations for corporate individual, convention, transient, weekend tourist and group meeting market. Strong manager able to motivate employees effectively to increase average rate, occupancy, catering and reservation sales, affecting the overall bottom-line. Further maximize revenue through effective yield management and REVPAR in each market.

Experience

1999- Choice Hotels International Phoenix, AZCurrent Director of Sales & Marketing-Multiple Properties and Brands

Established a complete and imaginative selling discipline that repositioned the hotels as the first choice destination for the corporate Traveler, Convention overflow, Transient, Weekend tourist and Group meeting market.

Managing over 20 employees in rooms, catering, and reservation sales and numerous Interns through a combination of increasing average rate, occupancy, effective yield management, REVPAR leader in each market.

Designed individual Web Sites, Brochures, Ad copy and Press Releases. Achieved revenue increases of up to 200%. Responsible for Soliciting Group and Transient, Bid Packaging, Procuring and Maintaining United States

Government Contracts, Internet Programs. Negotiated Exclusive Contracts, Training Officers Conference Member. Manager of the Year Award. Multi-Million Dollar Producer.

Developed organizational management strategy that redefines roles to maximize productivity, employee satisfaction and retention.

Negotiated for in-kind, pro-bono and reduced priced services for all aspects of the properties

1994- The Hay Adams Hotel Washington, DC1999 Senior Sales Manager

Responsible for International and West Coast Marketing. Leading Hotel of the World, Preferred Hotels and SRS Liaison. Multiple Award Revenue Producer Winner.

Executed strategic sales and marketing plan that increased occupancy by over 15% in the first year and increased Average Daily Room Rate by 6% above the industry average; consistently won highest market share among competitor luxury properties in Wash. D.C.

Developed branding strategy and marketing campaigns capitalizing on our location across from the White House and focusing on high-end corporate and association markets in USA, Europe and Latin America

Built luxury image to attract the national and international corporate and entertainment elite that brought political and Presidential inauguration galas

Contributes to Revenues of $10 million

1985- Grand Heritage Hotel Group Washington, DC1993 Director of Sales and Marketing—turnaround of distressed luxury hotels

LUXURY HOTEL GROUP MANAGEMENT COMPANY Part of take-over and integration team of acquired distressed luxury hotels including the Historic Inns of

Annapolis (Annapolis, MD), The Horton Grand (San Diego, CA), Union Station (Nashville, TN) & The Peabody Court Hotel (Baltimore, MD)

Hired, trained and managed sales staff including room sales, reservations and catering. Performed due diligence and developed budgeting and sales and marketing strategic plan to re-establish hotel’s

image and bring immediate and sustainable revenues, continuously exceeding initial goals.

Education1985 George Washington University Washington, DC

Bachelor of Business Administration, Sports, Event and Hospitality Management/Tourism)

Other Hobbies – visual arts, art collecting, writing, cooking, gardening, Spanish and animal advocacy.