Jeff received a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Hotel and Food Administration from the University of Guelph in 1989. He earned his MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1996 where he won the School of Business and Economics Graduate Gold Medal for Academic Achievement. Jeff also holds the Certified Management Consultant and International Society of Hospitality Consultants designations. Jeff has also completed the Walt Disney World College Program.
Jeff has been consulting to the hospitality and tourism industry since 1992. Jeff was most recently a Director with HLT Advisory Inc., a management consulting firm specializing in all sectors of the hospitality industry. Jeff was also a Director with KPMG’s Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism practice after beginning his career with Pannell Kerr Forster Consulting Inc. Prior to his consulting career, Jeff held hospitality industry management positions in the hotel, attractions and food service sectors. He represents the fifth generation of his family to work in Canada’s hospitality industry. Other positions include Director, Asset Management for Fairmont Hotels and Resorts and Director, Resort Sales and Service for Interval International. He has also taught business strategy to undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Guelph and Wilfrid Laurier University.
Jeff has provided advisory services to clients in the food service, convention centre, lodging, attractions, gaming and tourism sectors. He has managed engagements in every province in Canada as well as Europe, Asia, Africa, the United States and the Caribbean. Jeff’s speaking engagements include the Canadian Hotel Investment Conference, Hospitality and Financial Technology Professionals Ontario Chapter, Ryerson University School of Hospitality and Tourism Management World Tourism Day and led a roundtable discussion on the impact of SARS on the Canadian Hospitality Industry.
Jeff’s volunteer positions include the Canadian Hotel Investment Conference where he helped grow the annual donation to Canadian post-secondary hospitality programs from $35,000 to $250,000. Jeff is a member of the University of Guelph School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management Program Advisory Board. He is also past-president and an active member of the University of Guelph School of Hotel and Food Administration/Hospitality and Tourism Management Alumni Association.