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.
Alinio Azevedo was recently hired as Chief Operating Office of Hospitality at Aspen Skiing Company.
1. What are you looking forward to the most in your new role as chief operating officer of hospitality?
I am extremely excited to be part of a company that has iconic assets such as The Little Nell in Aspen and the Limelight Hotels in Aspen, Ketchum and Snowmass Village (under construction). The possibility of taking these brands to different locations in the United States and internationally is what excites me the most.
2. How do you think past experiences have prepared you for this role?
For the last 20+ years my background has been in hotel operations and development. I was fortunate enough to help expand the portfolio of industry-leading brands like Four Seasons and Loews Hotels. My understanding of the investment and development facets of the hotel industry, combined with my early hands-on operation experience gives me a strong base to guide the expansion of Aspen Skiing Company’s hospitality division.
3. How did you get into the industry?
My family owned a hotel in my home-country of Brazil. I literally grew up in a hotel and fell in love with the industry. I worked my way up through operations, starting as a “rooms inspector” in the maintenance department and ending up as the General Manager of the property. In between, I did a bit of everything and was exposed to all areas of the day-to-day operations of the property.
4. What are you hoping to achieve in your new role?
I look forward to working with the highly respected team at Aspen Skiing Company to expand the hotel portfolio and further enhance The Little Nell and Limelight Hotels brands in the marketplace.
5. What do you enjoy most about the industry?
I love being on site working in a hotel atmosphere. Hotel staff are usually in positive moods and hotels are places where lasting memories are created. I also like the fact that hotels, and the broader tourism industry, can be a transformative engine in a community. Not only do hotels create jobs, but as institutions, hotels enhance destination awareness and bring new people (guests) and ideas into a community. The hotel can also serve as a “living room” in a community – a place where people gather to meet each other and enjoy themselves. That’s certainly the role we want our hotels to play.
