Hilton sets pace

1. William Rajnauth; Director of Human Resources.

He joined the Hilton Trinidad team as HR manager in September 2004. Prior to this, he worked as the Director of HR at COSTAATT, compensation officer at NGC and as a lecturer at NIHERST. He graduated with a BSc in Sociology and Management at UWI in 1996 and a Post-Graduate Diploma in HR Management in 1999. He is currently pursuing his IMBA at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business. Replacing Amos Herai (Regional Human Resources Development Director — Caribbean), he will now oversee issues relating to IR, E-learning, training and development.

2.Maria Michael; Learning and Development Manager.

The newest addition to the team, her professional career has spanned a 15-year period and incorporates experience gained from working in primary, secondary and tertiary industry sectors. She has previously worked as HR analyst at GHL; Prior to that she spent some time at Angostura, where she served in the IT and HR department. She holds a BA (Hons.) Business Studies from the University of Sunderland, a Higher Diploma from The Institute for the Management of Information Systems (IMIS), and a Diploma Level One from the Association of Business Executives (ABE).

3. Narin Basdeo; Yield and Reservations Co-ordinator; Yield Co-ordinator: Hilton Tobago.

Recently promoted, he now holds the honour of being the first Trinidadian selected for the Hilton’s Elevator Programme, a fast track graduate training scheme to prepare the best graduates for top positions in the global hotel business. Upon completion, he will have a good grasp of the major issues essential to becoming general manager. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in International Business from the University of Victoria and is currently completing his MBA at the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business.

4. Olivia Constantine; Management Trainee.

Effective May 1, she will join the Hilton as an HR management trainee. At 25, her work experience includes duties in the HR section in the Faculty of Engineering at tUWI. She also worked as a student assistant at the Main Campus Library from 2002 — 2003. A graduate of UWI, she holds a BSc in Sociology and HR management.

5. Natalie Walker; Hilton Co-ordinator.

Natalie began her tenure at the Hilton Trinidad in 1998 as a guest service agent. After 18 months, she was made executive clubroom hostess where she was responsible for managing the VIP lounge on the executive floor. While there, she also took on the challenge of acting as HHonors Co-ordinator and was later officially promoted to this position.

HHonors is the hotel’s guest reward programme, which lets guests earn points and miles for faster and free travel. Now, she will be responsible for recruiting potential members and maintaining a high standard of operation, exclusive atmosphere and impeccable service associated with the rewards programme. She is currently pursuing a Business Management Degree at the School of Business and Computer Sciences and has professional training from Lenore’s Business School, NIHERST and RBTT / ROYTEC.

6. Bernard P Glaude; Wine and Coffee Co-ordinator.

In the four years that he has worked at the Hilton, he has moved from the position of bartender and waiter to his current position of Wine and Coffee Co-ordinator. At only 19, Bernard copped the title “Waiter of the Year” in 2003 at the Annual Culinary Masters Competition, a feat repeated in 2005. In 2004, he was adjudged runner-up with a Gold Medal in the Waiter Segment and Bronze Medal in the bartending segment of the same competition. He is also a member of the International Sommelier Guild.

In 2005, Bernard was selected to participate in a month-long Italian Wine Tour and Training, which included the Riunite Winery in Reggio-Emilia, the Fantinel Winery in Friuilli and the Sartori Winery in Verona among several others. He has completed an Associates Degree in Food and Beverage Management from TTHTI and an introductory Sommelier Course from the Course of Masters Sommeliers (American Chapter) and holds a Professional Development Certificate for Service Excellence.