Managing Front Office Operations

Summary: Michael L. Kasavana, Ph.D., is the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) Professor in Hospitality Business in The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University. Dr. Kasavana did both his undergraduate and graduate work at the University of Massachusetts -- Amherst. He received a bachelor's degree in hotel, restaurant, and travel administration; a master of business administration in financ...e; and a doctorate in management information systems. He has written several books, instructional software packages, and a host of research journal and trade industry magazine articles. Dr. Kasavana's teaching and research efforts have been sharply focused on computers in hotels, restaurants, casinos, vending, and clubs. He is an active consultant and a recipient of the MSU Distinguished Faculty Award, MSU Teacher-Scholar Award, and the Eli Broad College of Business Withrow Teacher/Scholar Award. He has presented numerous seminars on a variety of topics in the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, and other areas of the world. Dr. Kasavana is also a member of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) International Technology Hall of Fame and a recipient of the Distinguished Achievements Award from the Food Service Technology Exhibition and Convention (FS/TEC) consortium. In addition to his responsibilities at the MSU hospitality business school, Dr. Kasavana serves as the university's Faculty Athletic Representative to the NCAA, Big Ten, and CCHA athletic conferences and chairs the MSU Athletic Council. Richard M. Brooks, CHA, currently serves as Vice President, Service Delivery Systems for MeriStar Hotels and Resorts, Inc. and is responsible for the development, implementation, and maintenance of the company's operations policies, procedures, standards, and best practices. Before joining MeriStar, Mr. Brooks was Vice President of Operations for BridgeStreet Accommodations, Inc. Mr. Brooks was previously Vice President of Rooms Management for Renaissance Hotels and Resorts, and Stouffer Hotels and Resorts. Mr. Brooks has also held positions with Fidelity Investments, The Boca Beach Club, Hyatt Hotel Company, NCR Corporation, and Purdue University. Mr. Brooks received B.A. and M.B.A. degrees in lodging management from Michigan State University. He has also been designated a Certified Hotel Administrator by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association and is a member of the International Technology Hall of Fame sponsored by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP). Mr. Brooks is a member and past co-chairperson of the AHandLA Technology Committee and a past member of the AHandLA Strategic Planning Committee. In addition, Mr. Brooks has been a guest speaker at recent International Hotel and Motel Expositions in New York and many International Hospitality Technology Expositions and Conferences. [read more]