Employee of the Month - June 2024
Robert Llopis
Background and Experience
- Worked at some prestigious locations in NYC. Started my career at the Original Le Cirque for Sirio Maccioni , went on to open Osteria del Circo, their Italian spin off of Le Cirque.
- Went on to join the St. Regis Hotel as the Food and Beverage Purchasing Manager. As well as assisted Chef Christian Delouvrier of Lespinasse and their purchasing program.
- Went on to join Ritz Carlton Battery Park after 9/11.
- Was part of the Opening team of Mandarin Oriental New York, 2003.
- Opening General Manager for Apella, Event Space at Alexandria Center.
- Worked at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center when it reopened in 2015.
Motivation
Why do I do what I do?
Honestly, I love to see people grow. I want to help people become the best version of themselves. I believe it is helping me to score points with the big guy upstairs. I remember when I was first starting out and was not sure of my future, my mother’s colleague David Shuma from the Plaza Hotel in NYC told me he thought I would be great at Hospitality. It was the first time someone besides my parents ever told me I could be great at something! It ignited my interest in pursuing the opportunity. If he would have told me that he thought I could be a great plumber, I probably would be a plumber today. That’s how strongly I feel I was easily influenced by people’s opinion back then. I just didn’t know any better.
I chose to believe in what David expressed to me and he ended up taking my mom and I to experience the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. The school changed my destiny. I was studying accounting at Nassau Community College in Long Island at the time of the visit. When I saw the environment at The Culinary Institute of America, I left accounting and went on to study Culinary Arts.
What I learned from my own experience is, everyone has the potential to be great. Not everyone has a David Shuma in their lives that could help them find their way to being great. After such a blessed career and experiences throughout, I chose to help members of the teams I work with to develop their skills and help them become a greater version of themselves. Everybody wins! It’s always about the trilogy! I feel the choices we make as leaders should always take into account how it will impact the 3 C’s. Customer, Company and Colleague! Our choices should always benefit all three!
Thank you Robert for all you do!