I started work in the hotel industry many years ago, falling into it almost by accident. A friend suggested I should try it out. I have never looked back.
In 1968 I joined The Miramar Hotel and spent a year and a half in the Concierge Department, followed by six months in Food and Beverage. In those days one could not take up a housekeeping position until one had served a few years in other divisions. When I did join the Housekeeping Division, two years after my arrival in The Miramar, I found myself promoted within a few months to the role of room butler. The next promotion was to take a great deal longer because one had to spend at least ten years as a room butler before being granted a supervisory role. I made this transition in nine years, and the achievement gave me a great sense of pride. I decided my goal was to head the housekeeping department of a five-star hotel.
In 1979 I joined The Peninsula as a room butler. It was a step down from my role as supervisor, but The Peninsulas was a five-star establishment, which meant that it fitted well with my ambitions. In my spare time, I took courses in English and in Hotel Management. In 1982 I joined The Regent, again as a room butler, but this time my rise to the rank of Assistant Housekeeper was comparatively fast. In 1986 I opened The Dragon Hotel in Hangzhou, China as Assistant Executive Housekeeper before being promoted to Executive Housekeeper. And in 1988 I opened The Ramada Renaissance Hotel in Kowloon, as Housekeeping Head.
Seeking to rejoin a five-star organization. I transferred in 1989 to The Grand Hyatt Hong Kong as Assistant Executive Housekeeper. The following year I was given the chance to cross train in The Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Australia -- another magnificent five-star hotel. In 1993 I opened The Hyatt Regency Guam, a sprawling resort in Micronesia, and in 1995, my goal was realized when I was asked to rejoin The Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, as Executive Housekeeper in charge of 180 staff, 572 guest rooms and a very large area of public space.
In 1998 I was asked came back to Hyatt Regency Guam as Housekeeping Manager.
In the year 2000, my family and I moved to Seattle. I opened Hilton Seattle Airport and Conference Center. It is a nice property with 396 rooms and a huge conference rooms.
My career path has been long but rewarding. I would like to thank all my good friends, who gave me advice and help in the past. Special thanks to my wife and my children, who are fully understand and support me.
