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Executive profile; Jody Blackinton

Jody Blackinton was recently promoted to regional director of operations for the West Coast for Hersha Hospitality. Hersha is a major hotel management, investment and development firm. It provides turn-key management, asset management or receivership solutions for 130 hotels in 20 states, including the Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown.

Prior to Hersha, Balckinton was a general manager with Sage Hospitality Resources.

Blackinton is president of the San Diego County Hotel-Motel Association and is a board member of the San Diego Tourism Marketing District.

RESUME

Name: Jody Blackinton

Company: Hersha Hospitality

Title: Regional director of operations for the West Coast

No. of employees: About 300

Year founded: 1984

Education: Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management, University of Nevada Las Vegas, 1995; Associates degree in business, North County Community College Sarnac Lake New York, 1991.

Birthplace: Springfield, Mass.

Age: 42

Residence: Chula Vista

Family: Married with thre children: David, Cole and Hope

BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY

Essential business philosophy: Be passionate about what you do and the people you do it with. Take great care of your associates, and they will take great care of your guests. Repeat and you have happy guests, which equals satisfied owners.

Best way to keep a competitive edge: Be involved. Immerse yourself in the community that you live and work in. Be active in happenings not only in your industry but those that affect and influence your profession.

Guiding principles: Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. Lead by example and stay humble learning and growing every day from those around you, regardless of position or stature.

Yardsticks of success: Watching others I have mentored and worked alongside grow and learn on their career paths.

Goals yet to be achieved: Just entering into my new role as the West Coast regional director of operations for Hersha Hospitality, there will be many challenges and hurdles to overcome in my new role. Leaving property and the day-to-day interaction with managers and supervisors to managing multiple brands and styles of hotels will be my next challenge.

JUDGMENT CALLS

Best business decision: Setting a five-year plan regarding sustainability before it was “the popular thing” to do. Many recent rewards for the hotel’s sustainability efforts have not only boosted recognition but have brought significant savings and uncovered further opportunities.

Worst business decision: Opening a hotel in downtown San Diego without parking. … I should have bought a parking garage in the mid-90s.

Toughest business decision: Although I have begun to find comfort and peace in my new role with Hersha Hospitality, leaving my previous management company, Sage Hospitality Resources, after 19 years of employment was the hardest business decision I’ve ever made. My connection and loyalty to Sage’s leaders and all they have done for me in my career is what made it hard to leave.

Mentor: My parents. I’ve strived to be as great of a mother to my children as my mother was to me. She still today truly inspires me and makes me laugh, cry and remember that life is too short not to stop and enjoy a beautiful sunset.

TRUE CONFESSIONS

What you like best about your job: I love the people whom I work with.

What you like least about your job: Angry guests.

Pet peeves: All talk, no execution.

Most important lesson learned: Be patient when making hiring decisions.

Person most interested in meeting: Adam Levine, because he was just voted sexiest man alive. I’m kidding, but this is how I will know if people are really reading.

Three greatest passions: My kids, Boogie boarding and the Chargers

PREDILECTIONS

Favorite quote: “Learn, earn, return.”

Favorite status symbol: A service member in uniform.

Favorite restaurant: My mom’s kitchen.

Favorite vacation spot: RV-ing at Doheny State Beach.

Favorite way to spend time: At the beach.

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