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Statler Staff

Reneé DiFlavio, Director of the National Statler Center for Careers in Hospitality Service since its inception in 1999, is also the Vice President of Employment and Education at the Olmsted Center for the Visually Impaired. She has a Master of Arts in Blind Rehabilitation from Western Michigan University and has been with the Olmsted Center since 1987. Recently Reneé was honored as a recipient of Business First "40 Under 40", a prestigious award that recognizes excellent leaders in the Western New York Community. Renee is also a graduate from the University of Buffalo’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and serves on the University of Buffalo’s Center for the Arts Advisory Board. In addition, Reneé received an honorary degree from the Eta Sigma Delta International Hospitality and Tourism Management Society at Niagara University.

Chaunci Hinton-Thomas is Statler Center’s Career Service Counselor and has been employed at the Olmsted Center for four years. Chaunci is the student services counselor to all students during their time at the Statler center and conducts many workshops on how to gain and maintain competitive employment, and how diversifying the workforce is advantageous for employers, etc. Chaunci also assists in marketing, recruitment and placement services.

Chaunci has over 15 years of experience in counseling and human services, in addition to the time she has spent at the Statler Center. She has a Bachelors Degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York.

Jeffrey Hirschfelt, CHA (Certified Hotel Administrator) is Operations Manager of Statler Center. He teaches Hospitality courses and covers some placement topics for the Statler Programs. He started working at Statler Center as an externship partner with the first graduating class. After working as a consultant Jeff came to Statler full time in April 2004. In addition, Jeff is also the Director of the Olmsted Institute of Business & Technology, a New York State proprietary business school.

Jeff’s hotel experience includes General Manager of Red Roof Inn, Holiday Inn and Beaver Hollow Conference Center. His career spans most hotel positions and employment with Hyatt Hotels, Days Inns and other hotel chains. Jeff holds an AS degree in Hotel Technology from Erie Community College, Bachelor's Degree in Hospitality at Buffalo State College and also attended Ealing College School of Catering in London, England.

Mary Ellen Mest is Project Manager for New Initiatives. She works to develop new programs such as the Statler Training and Employment Program (STEP) for Call Center Training. Mary Ellen also works to bring Statler training to other states and locations where good training and successful job placement are needed such as Nevada and Florida.

Prior to arriving at Statler she had more than 25 years experience in sales and marketing for a wide range of products and industries. The past several years have been in sales and management for hotels such as Radisson and Holiday Inn in both Western New York and Pennsylvania. Her philosophy is that after learning hospitality and customer service, a job can be found anywhere in the world – anywhere good customer service is needed.

Linda Marotta-Moore is the Statler Centers technology specialist and Certified Microsoft Master Instructor. She will also be the instructor for the Olmsted Center’s new business school that will open summer 2007. Linda has over 14 years experience delivering training in a corporate capacity. She holds certifications as a New York State Business School Teacher, Microsoft Master Instructor and is a Certified Technical Teacher. Linda’s innovated approach to delivering classroom training provides our students the skills they need to secure a job after graduation. Linda has degrees from both Niagara Community College and the American Institute of Banking.

David Potocki s the Career Services Advisor for the National Statler Center. He began working at the Olmsted Center in 2005 as an intern performing a Market Study Analysis in the Manufacturing Department, while working towards a BS in Business Administration at the University at Buffalo. After completing his degree, he took the position of Logistics Manager, developing Olmsted’s successful Freight Management business. In 2007 he came on board as the Career Services Advisor with the Statler Center working in admissions, placement, and also teaching in computer class.

Joe Walters is a technology specialist at Statler Center. Joseph also provides assistive-technology support to graduates and their employers once a job has been secured. Joseph has worked at Canisius College of Buffalo as a resident computer consultant where he provided on-site support for college residents. Joe was also a member of the help desk staff where he provided remote support for the campus community while earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Adolescent Education. His initial experience with persons with disabilities led to a continuing pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Exceptional Education at State University of New York at Buffalo State College and subsequent fascination with assistive technology.

Joseph received specialized training in Teaching JAWS from Freedom Scientific in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Steve Zambito is Statler Center’s Office Manager. In addition to holding a Bachelor’s degree from Medaille College in Media/Communications, Steve graduated from the Statler program in January 2001. Steve prepares all of the coursework materials which he adapts into large print, Braille or alternative media to suit the needs of each individual student. In addition, Steve serves as a teaching assistant in mathematics, computer literacy and communications where he provides support to students needing additional help with the curriculum. Prior to joining the staff in 2003, Steve worked as the Business Center Coordinator at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Buffalo, New York.

CONSULTANTS

Dr. Deborah Tallman-Curtis is a consultant, teaching a hospitality component at Statler Center since the program’s inception. Dr. Curtis’ industry experience spans over twenty years and ranges from ownership of a 60-room Super 8 Motel to sales and marketing director at a 500-room Hilton to national sales director with a convention and visitors bureau. As a trainer, she has worked with travel management companies, economy to luxury hotels and industry associations. As a college professor, she has taught a wide variety of hospitality-related courses. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Transportation, Travel, and Tourism from Niagara University and a M.S. in Education from Canisius College. She earned a Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Sarasota. Deborah is the Director of the Center for Community Economic Development through Hospitality and Tourism at Niagara University.

Dan O'Brien is a consultant to the Statler Center in a number of areas. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Hotel Administration and Tourism from Niagara University and a Master's Degree in Training and Development from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He has worked for the Hilton Hotels Corporation, the Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, as well as serving on the faculty of the Rochester Institute of Technology and Niagara University's Institute of Hotel, Travel and Restaurant Administration. He also serves as an event logistics consultant to the Microsoft Corporation. Mr. O'Brien currently instructs Statler Center students in the field of hospitality service, he assists students with their externships and the job placement process. In addition, he is works with Statler Center funders, corporate partner and the Center’s strategic vision.