Leaders Creating Leaders
Omni's entrepreneurial spirit, embedded throughout our culture, enables Associates to create their own career paths.
Pete Sams, General Manager, Omni Shoreham Hotel
Memorable experience creator. Strategic thinker. As the General Manager of the Omni Shoreham Hotel, Pete directs a staff of over 400 Associates to continually exceed the expectations of our guests. Pete began his career in 1994 as an Omni restaurant server and participated in the Manager in Development program a year later. By 1999, he was the Director of Finance at Omni Austin Southpark. His expertise in this area quickly accelerated him to an Area Director of Finance, and in 2006, this attention to the bottom line and the guest experience secured him operational roles. His first GM role was in Richmond, Virginia, leading to his current position of General Manager of one of our largest and most prestigious assets.
Pete's interest in financial success, customer service and concern for our Associates proves invaluable to his current role managing the guest experience and supporting the successful operation of one of our landmark properties. With Pete's insights, Omni has positioned itself as a recognized name in historic property management.
Nydia Narvaez, Director of Rooms, Omni Dallas Hotel
Warm welcome master. Operations supporter. As the Director of Rooms at the Omni Dallas Hotel, Nydia directs all aspects of the guest experience for Omni's premier convention hotel with 1,000 rooms. Nydia began her career in 2000 as a Front Desk Agent in Corpus Christi and received a promotion for the following three consecutive years, advancing to Assistant Front Office Manager. In 2006, Nydia became Front Office Manager and accepted the position of Executive Housekeeper in 2008. By 2010, Nydia was the Director of Rooms at the Omni Austin Southpark Hotel and had opened the Omni Fort Worth Hotel as a rooms department leader. During this year, she accepted a three-month task force role at the Omni Corporate office. In 2011, Nydia was hand-selected as part of the opening team for the Omni Dallas Hotel.
Nydia's appreciation for her team and "can-do" attitude has played a key role in her career path to Director of Rooms. Nydia lives the Omni brand on a daily basis, never forgetting her primary responsibility to create a welcoming environment for both our guests and Associates.
Anthony Belef, Director of Human Resources, Omni San Diego Hotel
People developer. Goal setter. As the Director of Human Resources at the Omni San Diego Hotel, Anthony oversees the human resources function for one of Omni's top properties. Selecting, training and developing a staff of over 300 Associates is a full-time job, but Anthony has been dedicated to the task from his beginning as a Front Desk Manager at the Omni San Francisco Hotel in 2001. Less than three years later, Anthony entered the Human Resources function when he accepted the position of Training Manager. Just two years following this appointment, Anthony became Human Resources Manager, and in 2008 he transferred to the Omni San Diego Hotel to accept his current position. He recently returned from a three-month task force assignment leading the training and orientation process for the new Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel.
Anthony's recognition of and attention to our greatest asset has earned him a unique and challenging role. By setting goals and continually challenging our Associates, Anthony has secured the Omni San Diego Hotel as an employer of choice in the state of California.
Hussein Hamad, Director of Food & Beverage, Omni Austin Southpark Hotel
Flavor connoisseur. Good times creator. As the Director of Food & Beverage at the Omni Austin Southpark Hotel, Hussein directs a staff of over 100 Associates to successfully cater to the epicurean needs of guests and visitors of his 14-story hotel. Hussein began his career with Omni in 1998 as the Food & Beverage Director at the Omni Houston Westside. Prior to that, Hussein had spent 15 years in the Food & Beverage industry, beginning with his first job as a dishwasher. Hussein dedicated nine years to the Omni Houston Westside, after which he joined Omni's Watermark Hotel in San Antonio as the Pesca restaurant General Manager. After two years of service at Pesca, Hussein secured his current position in 2010.
Hussein's love of good food and people has accelerated him into his current leadership position and established him as one of the "go-to" food & beverage experts within Omni Hotels. During his time with Omni, Hussein has been selected to participate in seven "task force" projects across the brand. With a personal joy for epicurean gatherings among friends, Hussein has helped put Omni on the map within the local, state and national food & beverage scene.
Carissa Smith, Director of Sales & Marketing, Omni Austin Hotel
Sales champion. Communications extraordinaire. As the Director of Sales & Marketing for the Omni Austin Hotel, Carissa Smith directs both the sales and marketing functions for this 375-room hotel in the heart of downtown Austin. Carissa began her career at the Omni Austin in 1995 as a Business Travel Sales intern. After accepting the full-time position of Conference Planning Assistant that same year, Carissa was then promoted to Catering Sales Manager the following year. After holding two other positions, Carissa was promoted to Director of Sales in 2004. She served for five years in that position and in 2009 accepted her current position as Director of Sales & Marketing.
Carissa's love of communication and her drive to sell, sell, sell has propelled her career with Omni. By relentlessly pursuing leads and living the Omni way each day, Carissa has established herself as a recognized brand ambassador and proficient sales leader within our organization.