Alumna of the William F. Harrah Hotel College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Tyra was formerly the Executive Director of Concierge Services at The Venetian and Palazzo Resort Hotel Casinos in Las Vegas as well as Chef Concierge at The Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino. With a staff of more than 130 concierges, Tyra directed the largest five star/five diamond concierge department in the city. Tyra also served most recently as the Chef Concierge of the Cosmopolitan Resort of Las Vegas, the newest mega-resort on the Strip to open in December 2010.. She currently serves as the Director of Marketing for The ONE Group. A restaurant group with STK as one of its premier brands. Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, Tyra is also the President Pro Tempore of the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association (SNHCA) and has held a board position consecutively since 2002. She has also served on the Membership Committee and Fund Raising Committee of Les Clefs d'Or USA, the only national association of professional concierges in the United States representing over 250 Four and Five Star hotels nationwide.
Barbara Davis
Barbara has broken the glass ceiling for women not only in the gaming industry but businesses everywhere. Recently retired, Barbara was previously with MGM Resorts International as Vice President of Hotel Services, and oversaw the following departments: Housekeeping, Public Area, Hotel Services, PABX/Telecommunications, and Uniform Control. She managed a staff of over 1500 employees, and oversaw an annual payroll exceeding $55 million.
Barbara began her career in 1985 at the Golden Nugget-Las Vegas as Executive Housekeeper. She opened the Mirage in 1989 as Director of Housekeeping. In 1997 Barbara joined the Bellagio staff as Executive Director of Hotel Services and was later promoted to Vice President of Hotel Services.
Joel A. Moore, BS, CRDE
Joel Moore is the Director of Housekeeping for Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. Prior to returning to Las Vegas in 2006, he has held several management positions with such companies as Hyatt, Four Seasons, Inter-Continental, MGM Grand, and Mirage Resorts. His hospitality career in Hotel Operations spans more than 35 years. Joel holds the credentials of CRDE (Certified Rooms Division Executive). He is a member of the Las Vegas Chapter of IEHA (International Executive Housekeepers Association) and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Ellis Norman MBA CHE
Ellis is the co-founder of the International School of Hospitality. For over 25 years, he has taught courses in human resource management, hotel management and introduction to hospitality. He was most recently Assistant Professor at the Harrah Hotel College at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Recently retired, he holds the title of Professor Emeritus at the College. Prior to teaching, he held management positions in food and beverage, human resource management, hospital administration, and hotel management.
Hakan Kalinov
Hakan Kalinov serves as Chef Concierge at Vdara Hotel & Spa and leads a team of 14 concierge professionals dedicated to unparalleled, polished guest service in a sophisticated luxury environment.
Among other day-to-day operational responsibilities Hakan oversees short and long term planning, training & development, crafting and implementation of policies & procedures, creating a work environment that promotes teamwork, recognition, mutual respect, and employee satisfaction.
Committed to the industry, Hakan is actively involved in the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association and holds distinguished membership with the prestigious Les Clefs d’Or USA.
Chris Tamura
Prior to joining The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, Christopher was most recently the Human Resources Manager at Trump International. He was instrumental in the opening of four Trump properties and creating corporate operational procedures and branding initiatives. Christopher has worked in the hotel industry for over 17 years serving various roles as a Human Resources Manager, Assistant Front Office Manager, Hotel Manager, Employee Relations Manager, Concierge Supervisor and has worked for MGM Grand, Four Seasons, Venetian and Trump International. Christopher has served on various boards to promote workforce education and employment sustainability. Christopher also volunteers his time to mentoring and assisting students with job placement and interviewing techniques.
The hospitality expert professionals listed on this page all have significant experience in their respective fields. Additionally, all of them give back to the industry by teaching at The International School of Hospitality. The school requires a rigorous interview and training process for all instructors. TISOH is also one of very few schools that require all instructors to become CHE (Certified Hospitality Educator) certified.
