Careers

I'd try to do what he did, and I learned a few special areas, but it was mostly just a relaxing foot massage," she smiles. Her first job continued her dedication to service, as she became a home health aide for elderly people, specifically those suffering from Alzheimer's disease, when she was only 15.

With a plan to study cosmetology, Cherie later began working at a hair salon where she was retail supervisor for two years before being offered a salon management position. However, she decided to decline the promotion, and instead moved to Salt Lake City to attend Utah College of Massage Therapy, one of the nation's leading schools of bodywork.

"I am amazed by Montage," she explains. "The standard that everyone has here is the highest level, and I also really wanted to be able to participate in the ASTECC program." In fact, Cherie recently completed her yearlong ASTECC certification program and then teamed with fellow ASTECC therapist Michelle McAllister to teach a three-month curriculum of therapeutic training classes for our massage therapists. Cherie has also achieved another of her career goals, as she was named Lead Therapist for Montage Beverly Hills.

"Some of my favorite 'Wow!' moments have blossomed from working with guests over an extended period of time," she smiles. "At Spa Montage, we've been provided with the encouragement and tools necessary to work with individuals suffering from a variety of maladies and to help them turn their lives and outlook around. It's so gratifying to be part of a team that really can change people's lives!"

Despite her comfort in the kitchen, Louise was intent on becoming a veterinarian, earning her Animal Science degree from Cal Poly Pomona and working in a veterinary internship program, until her mother devised a plan to redirect her daughter. "My mom really didn't want me to become a vet because she thought I'd be around diseased animals all the time. So, she asked me to research culinary schools for my aunt, who was supposedly planning to move here to become a chef. When I took the tour of the California School of Culinary Arts in Pasadena, I thought it was amazing! The kitchens were beautiful, and the students seemed to be having so much fun. I decided to enroll – and of course, my aunt never came!" she laughs.

"When I came to Montage, I was excited about the prospect of working with Executive Pastry Chef Richard Ruskell, such an incredibly talented pastry chef, but I wasn't sure I could do it. However, Richard gave me a chance, and because of his faith in me, I've never wanted to let him down." That faith culminated in 2005 when Richard asked Louise to be a member of his team at the National Pastry Championship, and her skill with sugar pulling earned the team first place in Sugar Artistry and awakened a love of competing in Louise. "Winning was surreal for me," she remembers. She has since earned second place in the Food Network's Sugar Showdown and third place in the 2007 National Pastry Championship, and for now, Louise continues to develop her sugar artistry.

"At home, I have a library of pastry books, and when I bake, I have my 2-yr-old daughter Natalie helping me by tasting the dough!" Recently, while on maternity leave for the birth of her son Aydn, Louise was reminded about the beauty of being part of the Montage Pastry team. "I had left all of my recipe books in the pastry shop, and one day, someone noticed they were gone. I was heartsick, and then, a few days later, one of our chefs came to my home and, in her hands, were my recipes, beautifully typed and put into new books for me to use when I returned. That was a 'Wow!' I will never forget!"

I quickly decided that I wanted to be at the forefront of this new company and to share in that passion." Julia began her career at Montage within days of her interview, becoming the first administrative assistant in Catering/Conference Services, and imprinting many of the new systems with her trademark enthusiasm.

A native of Orange County, Julia joined Montage with a degree in Business Management from the University of Denver, where she majored in Hotel Restaurant Tourism Management, and where she had also enhanced her hospitality resume by working with major hotel companies including Disney and Marriott, as well as by working in private country clubs. In addition, she had held the position of Conference Services Office Manager at Inverness Hotel & Golf Club, prior to joining the Montage team.

With an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Julia dedicated herself to acquiring a vast array of new skills at Montage. She became one of the resort's first Departmental Trainers, a position she still enjoys, and she later added responsibilities as a teacher and mentor to others through assisting with the "Wow!" class, teaching several systems courses, and becoming an HR screener. Her career continued to accelerate as her personal growth expanded. She was promoted to Sales Coordinator, then to Guest Reception Manager, and, most recently to Residential Manager.

"I've been mentored every step of the way," she smiles. "From learning the art of sales calls, to impacting our guests' stays through our signature arrival process, to building relationships with our residents, I feel as if every opportunity has challenged me to become better at work and better as a person." On any given day, Julia might be found assembling a dinosaur "Wow!" gift for a young guest who was planning a trip to the La Brea Tar Pits or studying for her Introductory Sommelier Exam (which she successfully passed!)

A major component of Julia's personal fulfillment has also been her service as a founding Board Member of Hearts of Montage, the resort's community outreach organization. "Our family culture revolved around giving back," she remembers. "My parents set the example; one of our favorite family activities was going to the Youth Guidance Center at Christmas, and giving out the gifts, with my father dressed up as Santa Claus. I've been so blessed to have a venue for volunteer service at work, but then, I think I receive more than I give."

Lisa grew up in Huntington Beach with her mother and grandparents and took an active interest in the kitchen at a very young age. "It's hard not to, when the topic of conversation always centered around what the next meal of the day was going to be!"

"When my grandmother cooked for us, I could always see the smile, not just on her lips, but in her eyes and heart. It made her feel good to feed us. That's what led me to hospitality. I recognized at an early age that it feels good to feed people." Thus began Lisa's rewarding career in the front of the house, a place where, as she says, "I could work with, and be inspired by, the talent of a kitchen, a place where I could continually learn about food and wine, and a place where the gratitude was evident in the smiling faces of the guests." Lisa joined Montage as a member of Studio's pre-opening team after many years serving restaurant guests at Aqua in the St. Regis, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, and the Claim Jumper.

"Montage is such a wonderful place to explore my passion for taking care of people and for continually learning" she smiles. "We have weekly wine tastings and a team of three sommeliers with a wealth of experience to share with us, and we have a culinary team that is on the forefront of gastronomic trends while still adhering to the fundamentals of seeking local, organic, and sustainable food sources. There is never a day that passes where we are not challenged to perfect some basic knowledge or learn something new!"

"I was ready to come home to Laguna when Montage was due to open," he remembers with a smile. "A member of the pre-opening team actually recruited me. I came on a tour when everything was still unfinished and covered in dust, but the warmth and passion of everyone I met was infectious." Although Dave had never worked in a hotel before, his quest for personal fulfillment propelled him to enter the new industry, and his natural effervescence immediately attracted a large guest following.

His language and service skills continued to develop, and he availed himself of all the opportunities to learn. In 2004, Dave chose to delve further into the world of wine and enrolled in the "Ask a Somm" classes at Montage. He successfully passed the Introductory Examination from the Court of Master Sommeliers and has since passed the Level II exam and has become one of the sommeliers at The Loft. He also instructs all new Associates in the monthly Basic Beverage classes.

"Becoming a sommelier was a career decision," he explains, "and it put me on a different path from bartending. We have a great team of sommeliers at Montage, people who have been instrumental in my development. They are very willing to share their information and their passion, which has made my progression possible."

Dave's drive for knowledge has continued to prompt him to expand his understanding of wine and has stimulated his desire to understand more. "Every day, I can talk about wine until the sun comes up!" he laughs. Recently, he and a group of friends shared a chocolate tasting, pairing one Italian dessert wine with 25 types of chocolate to see what combinations worked best.

Despite Dave's focus on wine, he is equally passionate about traveling and exploring other cultures, sampling native dishes and beverages, and participating in a plethora of adventure sports throughout the world. He has eaten alligator in Australia, sampled Pisco Sours in Chile, gone skydiving from helicopters in several countries, jumped off natural cliffs into small pools of water, rappelled under waterfalls, and river rafted in Chile and Australia. Of course, he's also enjoyed the more tame sports of snowboarding and skim boarding! "There's always time to fit in a bit of personal fun and balance," he explains with a smile.

Dave Wallace definitely knows how to enjoy life!

Molly spontaneously arrived at a Montage Pre-Opening Job Fair, and she accepted a position in Paintbox, the Montage children's program. Although she grew up as the third of six children, Molly had never worked with young people until she came to Montage. "I learned so much!" she laughs.

Not one to remain idle, Molly also assisted as a hostess in The Loft and ultimately transferred to Spa Guest Reception. Molly's leadership skills were quickly recognized, and she became a Departmental Trainer. After mastering the Spa Front Desk and Reservations positions she was promoted to Lounge Supervisor, where she helped create an environment that ensured our spa guests would start and end their experience at Spa Montage flawlessly. Witnessing the interaction between the guest and therapist her interest was piqued and led Molly to study to become an Esthetician. The knowledge that she obtained during that process will become instrumental in her next role as she was recently named Spa Treatment Manager at Montage Beverly Hills. This move is exciting to Molly because as she puts it "I always want to be a part of the growth of Montage and the replication of our culture."

"I need people and stimulation, and the Spa is different every day," she smiles. Molly is known for her ability to create "Wow!"s for our guests through her compassionate nature. Recently, she learned that a guest had asked for information about a detox cleanse, so Molly, who had done the same cleanse herself, purchased the specific book for our guest and gave it to her along with algae baths, a dry bristle brush, and exact information on how to get the best results. Molly continued to follow up with our guest each day she was at Montage, and, because of the connection they had established, our guest continued to call to let Molly know how the end of the cleanse went and to excitedly share that she had lost 15lbs!

Brian was born in Santa Clara, spent his early years in Washington state, and attended junior high and high school in New Jersey. It was while in a high school cooking class that Brian began to prepare treats for his teachers and to recognize his future path. After 1½ years cooking in a "turn and burn" steakhouse ("The only thing I learned was speed!") in order to qualify for culinary school, Brian was able to be accepted and to graduate from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.

"It was after school that I really began to start to learn," he laughs. Following graduation, Brian worked at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, in the Banquets Department as well as in three of the hotel's restaurants: Gatsby's, Nobhill, and The Mansion, before moving with Aqua Corporation to the St. Regis Monarch Beach. It was there that he worked with future Montage Chef John Cuevas, with whom he joined Studio's pre-opening team.

"What I noticed, even in the earliest days at Montage, was the guest-oriented attitude everyone had and how well we were treated. Now, over five years later, it's even stronger," Brian smiles. During his years at Studio, Brian was recognized for his culinary expertise and creativity, and was promoted to Sous Chef and Chef Tourant. He was also recognized as a Montage Master in August, 2005, for "continuously challenging himself to develop his mastery of technique and concept" and for "maintaining our standards in setting an example for others to follow."

In June, 2008, Brian was named Chef de Cuisine of The Loft, Montage Laguna Beach's main dining outlet. Of his new role, Brian says, "My culinary philosophy is that the perfect dish satisfies all the senses in creative ways. We'll continue using the best possible seasonal ingredients, awhile always keeping our sustainability initiatives in mind. This is a tremendous milestone for me."

Brian also enjoys creating unique dining experiences for our guests. During a recent evening, he learned that one of our guests, who was planning to dine at The Loft, only eats a raw food diet, which is somewhat challenging for a Chef's creativity, because fruits and vegetables cannot be cooked past a certain temperature in order to harness all their nutrients. Brian prepared an exquisite menu for our guest using only raw products and special cooking techniques. She was so impressed that she's since returned for additional extraordinary meals prepared by Brian.

On his days off, our Chef enjoys cooking for Lani, his wife of one year, and spending time with their 2½-yr-old boxer Capone. And of course, he describes his favorite hobby: "I research food!"

Tim had heard about Montage while he was still a student; he knew he wanted to work at the resort in any capacity in order to begin learning about hospitality.

"I had worked in a restaurant before college, and I realized that I wanted to be around people, not food!" he laughs. "I could see that Montage was a place where the Associates are all on the same page, sharing the same values and striving to live the Mission statement every day. It felt like family from the very beginning."

Tim's versatility and determination have been cornerstones in his career growth at Montage. "I was fortunate to have the opportunity to learn the entire Resort during the six months I was working in Security. It was a terrific experience and one that was very useful to me as a Guest Receptionist. Our guests have an intense curiosity about Montage, and it's rewarding to be able to answer their questions," he continues.

In recognition of his exemplary demonstration of the Montage values on a daily basis, Tim was selected as a Montage Master in October, 2004, and was then promoted to Assistant Manager of Guest Services in March, 2005, to Guest Reception Manager in February, 2006, and to Director of Guest Services in June, 2008. Tim's management peers recognized his contributions to the Montage culture, selecting him as a Master of Values in Practice (MVP) for the first quarter of 2008.

"I really like seeing our guests' reactions when we've exceeded their expectations. That's what it's all about," he smiles. Tim is an active listener who takes the time to really listen to what our guests' needs are. His upbeat attitude contributes to the positive outcome of every task he undertakes.

Tim is well-known for his ability to create emotional attachments with our guests. One example is the family from Jacksonville, Florida, with whom he has connected during their many visits to the resort. When their daughter was ready to begin college, the parents brought her to Montage while they looked at schools in the area. After listening to what they wanted to do during their visit, Tim sent them information regarding local apartment rentals, school information, and local surf information, since their daughter is an avid surfer. When the young woman decided to attend Saddleback College, she even ended up moving into the apartment complex where Tim used to live! Now, the parents frequently come and stay at Montage while they visit their daughter.

In addition to his passion for delivering extraordinary guest service, Tim is passionate about spending time with his new bride, Julie, as well as surfing and playing golf.

"I'm a 'Theme-aholic!'" she laughs. Whether it's organizing an O'Munsey Pub birthday party for her husband Seth or creating an elegant evening at the Chef's Table at Studio, Tiffani is masterful and innovative.

Recently, while planning a dinner at the Chef's Table, she learned that her guests were tequila fans. With the help of one of Studio's bartenders, Tiffani created a personalized tequila menu for the group, including such custom offerings as "Three Amigos," a unique three-shot selection, and she presented the menus to the surprised guests as they arrived for dinner.

"I love making people happy and creating memorable, personal experiences," she smiles. "It's not just a dinner, it's a memory!"

A California native, Tiffani grew up in Modesto and Pacific Grove and graduated from Sonoma State University in business administration with a focus on marketing. An accomplished artist, she also studied photography, painting, and line drawing at the university, all hobbies she continues today.

Tiffani began her career at Montage Laguna Beach in 2004 as a hostess in The Loft and became Assistant Manager of Restaurant Sales nine months later. Her meticulous artistry was so frequently praised by her guests, that Tiffani was promoted to Manager of Restaurant Sales and then to Catering Manager.

Always an enthusiastic learner, Tiffani eagerly absorbed the vast array of food and beverage classes offered at Montage, including cheese, chocolate, and food-wine pairings. She also passed the qualifying exam for the Introductory Course administered by the Court of Master Sommeliers at Montage Laguna Beach. In addition, Tiffani continued her personal growth by becoming a Departmental Trainer, and by completing "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" and Leadership I.

"These classes inspired me to look at things differently," she explains. "They brought to the forefront what I inherently knew, but they took me out of my daily routine to look at things with a fresh perspective. I recognized that to be successful at work, I also needed to focus on myself. Hospitality is all about giving of ourselves, and we need to take time to give to ourselves as well. Montage reminds us of this through the way we all are appreciated."

During her 5 1/2 years of service at Montage Laguna Beach, Tiffany became known for her ability to motivate and inspire others. One of her signature pre-shift exercises was to ask the members of her team to turn to the person next to them and name three specific things that they appreciate about that person.

"My goal is to have our staff leave our meetings with uplifting energy that they'll pass on to our guests," Tiffany smiles.

After earning her BFA degree from Long Beach State and working as a server at several Orange County restaurants, Tiffany joined the Montage Laguna Beach family as a server in the Lobby Lounge one month after opening. She was quickly valued for her graciousness and dedication, and was selected as a Montage Master for September, 2003.

"I loved Montage from my first moments here," she says. "The culture, the values, Hearts of Montage-all of it! When I began, I didn't have any hospitality experience. I had the heart and the values, but I definitely needed polishing!" she laughs. "Montage allowed me to develop and gave me the tools to become a leader."

Tiffany became one of the earliest Departmental Trainers and was later promoted to Manager of the Lobby Lounge, and two years later, to Restaurant Manager of Mosaic Bar and Grille. Availing herself of the many opportunities to learn, Tiffany also passed the qualifying exam for the Introductory Course administered by the Court of Master Sommeliers at Montage Laguna Beach. In recognition of her exceptional contributions on a daily basis, Tiffany's management peers nominated her as a candidate for Masters of Values in Practice (MVP) for the first quarter of 2008.

An Orange County native, Tiffany has now chosen to leave her roots and move to Beverly Hills to become a member of the opening management team of the newest Montage.

"Managing the rooftop Conservatory, looking out at the Hollywood hills, and building relationships with my team-- what an amazing opportunity!" she smiles. "Montage has allowed me to become something I never dreamed of being!"