Name: Michael B.
Position: Director of Finance & Accounting
Hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
Dream destination: Australia and the Great Barrier Reef
Drink or treat of choice: Classic Coca-Cola is my beverage of choice, but in the spirit of Marriott…a Root Beer Float is always a great choice on a hot summer day!

Michael is clear that there are two things that drive him professionally: Teaching and learning.

Both of which he’s been able to experience at Marriott, which is why he’s been here for the last 27 years.

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“I’m proud to have been a part of the career growth for dozens of finance associates that have risen from the ranks of finance generalists to Finance Managers, Asst. Directors of Finance and Directors of Finance,” says Michael. “With regards to learning, there are countless opportunities to learn from a wide variety of individuals, regardless of position – everyone offers a different perspective.”

Michael is the Director of Finance & Accounting at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, a gorgeously scenic resort located just 30 minutes south of San Francisco that sits atop a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In Michael’s role, he is responsible for all financial details of said luxury resort, including revenue, profit, financial controls, accounts receivable and payable, owner relations, forecasting, budgeting, and capital expenditures.

Before his time at Marriott, Michael served four years in the U.S. Air Force as an Avionic Communication and Navigation Specialist, supporting flightline operational support for radio, intercom and radar systems on RF-4C aircraft.

So, what drew him to Marriott?

“Getting to work alongside diverse individuals with experiences from around the world,” he says, adding that he was also motivated by the opportunity to work in a finance environment with multiple units within one property — rooms, restaurants/lounges, spas, housekeeping, engineering, sales, events, etc.”

“Hospitality provides significant opportunity for learning and growth,” he adds. “It’s more than ‘just a hotel.’”

This is Michael’s seventh position with Marriott. In January 1996, he was hired as an Assistant Director of Finance trainee at the Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio, Texas — and just four months later he shed his trainee title and moved to California, where he’d work at different Marriott hotels for the next 27 years.

Learn more about Michael’s Marriott journey, in his own words, below.

What was your Marriott interview process like?

Marriott was one of several companies that were part of a University of Texas at Austin career fair – I met with regional and property finance leaders from the Southwest Region (now America’s West).

One of the first people I met was a Senior Asst. DFA named Cindy Baker, who is currently the Regional Vice President of Finance for The America’s West and someone I continue to be connected with to this day.

Any tips for candidates who want a role like yours?

Every meeting is an opportunity to connect with professionals – make it count!

Which of Marriott’s core values resonates most with you?

Marriott continues to invest in associates by putting people first. As our founder stated over 95 years ago, “Take care of associates and they will take care of our customers,” a claim that still rings true.

Additionally, integrity and respect are both clear and integral parts of the armed services.

What’s one surprising thing about your role most people might not know?

Each hotel or regional finance role reaches beyond that property or region and is an integral part of the entire company and ownership portfolio.

Favorite part of the job?

Enabling all associates throughout a property to be better financial leaders.

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