These interviews are part of a series that highlights new hires within the industry. Have you recently started a new role or do you know someone who has? Submit your ideas to brittany.trevick@tigeroak.com.
Dan Krahn was recently hired as corporate director for Kaeding Management Group in Bloomington, Minn.
1. What are you most looking forward to in your new role as corporate director for Kaeding Management Group?
I am most looking forward to enhancing the associate-centric culture of Kaeding Management Group. While also providing more engaged leadership directly with the hotels, more universal systems and more procedures across all of the hotel brands we operate to help provide greater associate engagement, guest satisfaction and profitability.
2. How do you think your past industry experience has prepared you for this role?
My experience with multiple hotel brands, primarily Marriott, Carlson and IHG brands along with my experience within varying markets (downtown, airport, suburban and tertiary markets) will certainly help me identify the unique, specific needs of each hotel we operate. I will also have to depend on my past leadership experience in all facets of hotel management to provide value, support and direction to all of our associates.
3. What goals do you have in mind for the company for this year and further down the line?
My goal is to support the vision of the owners, to find the most talented and engaging people and to operate our most successful hotel operations, with the most desired locations along with the most effective hotel brands. We want to measure our success by making a difference in people’s lives. For our owner’s lives, it’s achieving a maximum ROI by driving top-line revenue and effective cost containment to drive bottom-line profits. For our associates’ lives, it’s about creating a supportive, encouraging and fun environment and to invest in our associates to help them succeed in each of their roles. For our guests’ and clients’ lives, it’s about creating memorable experiences and meaningful relationships that truly serve their most important needs or wants every day of every stay in every way.
4. How did you get into the industry?
Growing up, I thought I either wanted to be a teacher or get into business. I figured hotel management was a great combination of both. I have been able to teach in a very human resources intensive industry and also fulfill my business ambition. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality from the University of Wisconsin–Stout and began my career with an internship at Residence Inn by Marriott.
5. What do you enjoy most about the organization?
I truly love coming to work every day because the Kaeding Management Group supports the learning and growth of their associates. They have a value system that is consistent by not just what we say, but by what we do and how we choose to operate our business.
