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.
Mike DiNucci was recently hired as director of sales at DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix North.
1. What are you looking forward to the most in your new role as director of sales?
As director of sales of DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix North, I am looking forward to joining the growing Hilton family and leading the team in a new direction of promise and possibility. I will be leading our sales team for corporate individual travel, group travel, meetings and catering.
2. How do you think past experiences have prepared you for this role?
In the past, I have worked in different cities such as San Diego, San Francisco and Boston and with different brands, which has allowed me to be a diverse operative. With my sales leadership and bi-coastal hotel management and operations experience comes knowledge as well as flexibility which are skills that are highly useful in this industry.
3. How did you get into the industry?
I started in the industry 20 years ago as a part-time front desk agent in a hotel in Tucson, Ariz., while attending the University of Arizona, and discovered my passion for hospitality. I committed to stay and grow within the industry and work my way up. I joined the RAR Hospitality team in 2015 and since then I have been promoted within the company which eventually led to my role as the director of sales at DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix North. I have held sales manager and director of sales positions and was most recently a general manager for an InterContinental Hotel Group brand, which have all been instrumental with my career in hospitality.
4. What are you hoping to achieve in your new role?
I hope to help elevate and expand the DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix North to the next levels, not only in revenue but in service as well. It’s my goal to have our hotel be the leader and top choice in the Metropolitan Phoenix area for leisure, business and group travel.
5. What do you enjoy most about the industry?
I enjoy seeing the passion of other team members and their personal commitment to deliver an exceptional level of hospitality to every guest. Their passion drives me to do my best and being surrounded by that positive environment is why the hospitality industry is unsurpassed in my eyes.
