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September 5, 2025 |
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CFHLA Thanks Our Back of the House Sponsors |
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Congratulations Mentors & Mentees: CFHLA |
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This week, we hosted a reception to recognize the 15 mentees and 30 mentors who participated in the CFHLA Leadership Mentoring Program, Class IV. These distinguished mentees represent the next generation of diverse and dynamic leaders in the hospitality industry across the Central Florida region (including Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties).
Launched in 2022, CFHLA’s Leadership Mentoring Program was created to cultivate and empower future leaders from a wide range of backgrounds, while addressing the growing need for diversity in executive-level hospitality roles. Over the past three years, the program has successfully graduated more than 40 hospitality professionals, each guided by at least two seasoned mentors from Central Florida’s lodging and allied member companies. |
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Congratulations to the following 15 mentees who were selected earlier this year to participate in the CFHLA Leadership Mentoring Program, Class IV and graduated this week including:
Nickii Aguilera Activities Assistant Manager, Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort
Zandi Cabiltes Activities Associate, Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort
Imilse Del Villar Operations Coordinator, CRB Hospitality
Makeylah Dominguez Executive Assistant, SimpleFire
Walis Garcia Accounting Assistant, CRB Hospitality
Kristina Lundeberg Group Sales Manager, Westgate Resorts
Katherine Matthews Pankow Director of Front Office, JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa
Whitley McCoy Complex Housekeeping Manager, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
Lauren Miller Director of Corporate Marketing, Westgate Resorts
Megan Rhode Project Event Manager, Kid's Nite Out
Ana Roman Sales Coordinator, Wyndham Lake Buena Vista - Disney Springs Resort Area
Anielka Roser Complex Housekeeping Manager, Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort
Casey Sharp Recreation Guest Experience Manager, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Alana Ward Complex Front Desk Manager, Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort
Lexi Willaman Account Manager, LandCare |
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Additionally, CFHLA thanks the 30 hospitality professionals who invested their time and expertise in this program as a mentor. Each of these professionals graciously committed to mentoring the next generation of of hospitality industry professionals throughout the year.
Lastly, we'd like to thank and recognize this year’s sponsors of the Leadership Mentoring Program, Class IV. This was the first time that we had sponsors who supported the success of this program including these two outstanding members: |
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Unlocking Leadership: Best Practices for Today’s Hospitality Pros |
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CFHLA also hosted the fifth session of our Leadership Development Series this week at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista - Disney Springs Resort Area. Presented by Dr. Fevzi Okumus and Louis Robbins, the leadership development session focused on Management Best Practices for today’s hospitality professionals. |
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This engaging educational seminar focused on key leadership and people-management skills. Through real-world examples and practical tools, participants gained valuable insight into leading effectively in dynamic, service-oriented environments. Topics included strategies for managing across generations, cultures, and perspectives, while fostering a respectful, accountable, and results-driven workplace culture. |
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With over 60 attendees in attendance, this educational session left each participant with actionable takeaways to strengthen their leadership abilities and better support their teams in an ever-evolving industry. |
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Connecting with Members: CFHLA Visits Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground |
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This week, our President & CEO, Robert Agrusa, was honored to be the guest speaker at member property Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground all-salaried meeting (thank you to General Manager Lauren Gossett for the invitation)! |
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Robert shared an overview of CFHLA’s mission, signature events, councils, and programs, while also highlighting key hospitality industry updates — including economic impact, workforce demographics, career pathways, wages, and a recap of the 2025 Florida Legislative Session.
We’re also proud to note that both Lauren and Casey Sharp, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground Guest Experience Manager, were active participants in this year's CFHLA’s Leadership Mentoring Program — with Lauren serving as a mentor and Casey as a mentee in this year’s Class IV. |
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CFHLA Names Melanie Anesh Director of Industry Relations and Community Impact |
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We are pleased to announce the promotion of Melanie Anesh to Director of Industry Relations and Community Impact. Since 2023, Melanie has served as the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships at CFHLA, where she helped advance our new organizational mission and strategic goals. Additionally, Melanie has led the CFHLA Foundation, all of CFHLA’s new workforce development initiatives, and our community outreach initiatives. This includes oversight of the Scholarship Committee, the Employee Relations Committee, the Adopt-A-School Program, the annual Leadership Mentoring Program, the High School Outreach Program, and the Diversity Committee.
In this new role, Melanie will continue to be responsible for these aspects while growing in her leadership at CFHLA. Her new responsibilities include leading the Engineers’ Council, the Housekeeping Council, the Security and Safety Council, the Vacation Ownership Council, and the newly formed Talent and Learning Council. This growth opportunity will also streamline all of our workforce development initiatives, educational partnerships, and community impact into one new department.
Furthermore, we are in the process of hiring a new Industry Relations and Special Events Coordinator that will assist Melanie with these new job responsibilities.
Please join us in congratulating Melanie on this well-deserved opportunity that will help grow our community impact, while strengthening our relationships with our educational and workforce development partners! |
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CFHLA Celebrates New GM Appointments at Member Properties |
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Please join us in congratulating Ricardo Merchant and Carlos Adorno on their new roles as General Managers with Paramount Hospitality Management, both of which are CFHLA member properties. |
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Ricardo Merchant has been appointed General Manager of Wyndham I-Drive Avanti Resort & Conference Center. Merchant brings to his new role more than 20 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry, in various leadership positions including most recently as General Manager of Avanti International Resort on International Drive in Orlando.
Additionally, Carlos Adorno has been named General Manager of Avanti International Resort. With a distinguished career spanning over 35 years in the hospitality industry, Adorno will play a pivotal role in leading the resort’s operations. Before joining Paramount Hospitality, Adorno served as an Area Resort Manager for andCo Hospitality, overseeing three Central Florida resorts: CFHLA member properties Legacy Vacation Resort Kissimmee and Lake Buena Vista, as well as The Fold Resort in Lake Buena Vista.
Congratulations and we look forward to Ricardo and Carlos’s continued success in their new leadership roles within the Central Florida Hospitality Industry! |
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Partners in Action - CoCo Key Resort and Water Park Supports Upcoming CARES Drive |
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CFHLA extends a big thank you to Frank Dolley and the team at CoCo Key Resort and Water Park for getting an early start on our upcoming CARES Collection Drive! |
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Their generosity and commitment to supporting our community is a wonderful example of hospitality in action. We are grateful for their partnership and leadership in gathering donations that will directly benefit local students in need.
Mark Your Calendar! The next CARES Collection Drive is October 21, 2025 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista South. More information can be found HERE. |
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR MEMBERS OF THE MONTH |
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Meet our September Members of the Month |
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CFHLA is proud to recognize our September Lodging Member of the Month, Firat Yuregir, Senior Director, Global Housekeeping Services, Hilton Grand Vacations. We are grateful for Firat's outstanding leadership as the inaugural Chair of the renewed CFHLA Housekeeping Council! We also truly appreciate his passion, energy, and willingness to help advance our housekeeping hospitality professionals! Plus, we thank Firat for his participation and support of CFHLA’s events and community-wide initiatives! It is because of these positive contributions, that we are excited to recognize Firat this month – the same month as International Housekeepers Week!
Moreover, we are also proud to recognize our September Allied Member of the Month, Gabriel Parra, CEO & Co-Founder, Tiger Roofing. We are extremely grateful for Gabriel's outstanding involvement as a Silver Partner Member of CFHLA! We also appreciate his continued contributions and support of our annual signature events! Lastly, we are thankful for his support of CFHLA’s committees, Councils, and community-wide initiatives. |
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Firat Yuregir |
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Gabriel Parra |
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To nominate a future CFHLA Allied and/or Lodging Member of the Month, please CLICK HERE. |
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MEET THE SILVER PARTNER MEMBER |
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LandCare's Central Florida team has set the standard for exceptional hospitality and landscape services, with over 250 years of experience between our management team. Proudly serving an array of hospitality businesses, from restaurants to hotels and resorts, we craft award-winning landscapes that elevate the environment and leave guests admiring their surroundings. Our commitment to creating meaningful and inviting outdoor spaces ensures that every client experiences the highest level of service and satisfaction. |
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JOB OPENINGS |
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Check out the latest hospitality employment opportunities in Central Florida. |
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IN THE NEWS |
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Central Florida’s Tourism Industry Reaches Record Billions in Economic Impact - West Orlando News |
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CONNECT WITH CFHLA |
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About CFHLA
The mission of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association is to represent the Central Florida Hospitality Industry, by setting the standard of excellence through advocacy, collaboration, education, recognition, and service. |