The Hospitality Finance Podcast

Arlene McCullough, SVP Accounting, Vision Hospitality

Arlene McCullough, Senior Vice President for Vision Hospitality, shares her background and experiences in the hospitality industry. She discusses how her upbringing in New York and her college experience shaped her career path. Arlene also talks about her favorite vacation destinations and hotels she would like to visit. She highlights the importance of service culture and how it has influenced her approach to management. Arlene shares challenges she has faced in her career, such as implementing new processes and dealing with labor shortages. She also discusses the impact of technology on financial operations in the hospitality industry and the need for better banking technology.

Leah Roberge, CFO, OTH Hotels Resorts

Leah Roberg, CFO for OTH Hotels and Resorts, shares her background growing up in Rhode Island and how she got started in the hospitality industry. She discusses her favorite vacation destination and bucket list hotel. Leah also talks about a life-changing experience of owning a restaurant and the challenges she faced. She shares her career path and the mentors who have influenced her. Leah discusses the challenges and opportunities in the hospitality finance industry, including the impact of technology and the need for skilled professionals. She also talks about the importance of empowering her team, the power of mentorship and the future of hospitality finance. TAKEAWAYS * Leah Roberg grew up in Rhode Island and got started in the hospitality industry at a young age. * She had a life-changing experience of owning a restaurant and learned valuable lessons from it. * Leah has had mentors throughout her career who have influenced her and helped her grow. * The hospitality finance industry faces challenges in technology and the need for skilled professionals. * Leah believes in empowering her team and sees a bright future for hospitality finance. You can connect with Leah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-roberge-9a4b66b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-roberge-9a4b66b/] View this Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iN-ELC4JRkQ?feature=shared [https://youtu.be/iN-ELC4JRkQ?feature=shared]

Jeffrey Lee, SVP, Corporate Controller, Montage International

Trends, Opportunities, and Value Creation in Hospitality Finance with Jeffery Lee Building a successful career in hospitality finance might be much easier than you think, thanks to the emerging trends and opportunities for value creation. Today, as a finance professional, you have an opportunity to embrace cutting-edge technologies, optimize operations, learn from different mentors, and leverage data analytics to grow your organizations and advance your career. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, there are new avenues to streamline processes, cut costs, and boost revenue growth. By staying current on these trends and seizing opportunities for innovation, you can play a pivotal role in shaping the success of your organizations in an ever-evolving landscape. Join the conversation with Jeffery Lee as he shares his career journey in finance and insights into the latest trends and opportunities in hospitality finance. As a senior vice president and corporate controller at Montage International, Jeffery brings a wealth of experience as a corporate finance leader specializing in luxury hospitality. He is an expert in various areas, including US GAAP & SEC Reporting, Corporate Finance & Accounting, Budgeting & Forecasting, Revenue Recognition, External Audit, Shared Services Accounts Payable, Shared Service Payroll, and Business Process Improvement. Get ready to gain valuable insights into the dynamic world of hospitality finance from an industry expert. Let’s jump in! Key Highlights from the Episode; [00:01] Episode intro and a bit about our guest, Jeffery Lee [01:19] Jeffrey’s background and how it shaped his career trajectory [02:08] Jeffrey’s favorite vacation destination, Safari in Botswana [03:37] Jeffrey’s life-changing experience at the beginning of his career [05:33] The most memorable hotel Jeffrey has ever visited [06:54] What inspired Jeffrey’s career path to where he works today [10:22] The most challenging role that Jeffrey has ever had [11:57] Mentors and the importance of having mentors in your journey [16:25] A time when Jeffery had to change processes to steer their business forward [20:01] The biggest challenge in hospitality finance and how to overcome it [35:13] Where opportunities and room for improvement are in the industry [24:06] The current trends shaping the financial landscape within the hospitality industry [25:23] What Jeffery hopes to see develop in the future [26:52] Rapid-fire questions [27:57] Wrap up and end of the show Notable Quotes ● Something is to be learned from every experience as long as you take that experience, absorb it, assimilate it, and move forward, understanding why that might have happened and how that will make you a better person. - Jeffrey Lee [04:55] ● Mentors are important because they provide perspective and guidance on how to approach situations and challenges. - Jeffrey Lee [12:03] ● Mentorship doesn’t have to be a very formal process; it can be very informal. What It takes is openness and communication. - Jeffrey Lee [14:41] Let’s Connect Jeffery Lee LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-lee-a12b3b26/ Pamela Rauseo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelarauseo/ The Hospitality Finance Podcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-hospitality-finance-podcast/about/?viewAsMember=true