General Manager Vice President

Howard J. Cohen

********@*******.*** 206-***-****

OVERVIEW

Senior Hospitality Leader with Proven Operations, Finance, and HR Expertise - Extensive range of skills, knowledge and demonstrated track record in the hospitality industry and non-profit organizational leadership. Excels in overcoming challenges faced by growing organizations and finance teams. Comprehensive experience in all aspects of hotel management including: budgeting, financial analysis, setting and enforcing accounting and human resource policies and procedures, hiring, firing and overseeing capital budgets and capital projects across multiple properties simultaneously.

Drives increased economic leverage, operational scale, and profit by optimizing performance and energizing financial results. Coalesces expertise in finance, execution, and human resources with inclusive, facts-driven style that ensures acceleration across the business to create sustainable success.

EXPERIENCE

4/2022 – 10/2022 General Manager – Benson Hotel, Portland, OR

Oversee the management of the 287 room, 4 diamond, historic, iconic, union hotel

2022-2024 Director of Operations – Renaissance Seattle Hotel, Seattle WA

Oversaw all operating departments

2022 – 2022 Management Consultant – Coast Hotels USA

Interim Controller on Six Month Cpontractat the Benson Hotel, Portland

2002 – 2022 Vice President/General Manager - Clise Properties – Hotel Division, Seattle, WA

Highlights:

Best Western International Governor Region 2-3, 2004 - 2017

Education & Training Advisory Chair 2010 - 2011

Named 2011 General Manager of the Year by Washington Lodging Assoc.

2001 - 2002 General Manager/Area Manager – Various - Sunstone Hotels, Renton, WA

Holiday Inn Select – Renton

Hawthorne Suites – Kent

Marriott Courtyard - Lynnwood

1993 - 2001 Regional Director of Operations/Regional Controller/Controller – Various - From 8 up to 13 Red Lion/Hilton Hotel Properties

1992 - 1993 Hotel Controller – Various - Sheraton Hotel, Tacoma, WA, Best Western Executive Inn, Seattle, WA

1990 - 1992 Vice President Finance & Administration - Northwest Lodging, Inc. Seattle, WA

1986 - 1990 Regional Controller/Controller – Various - Red Lion Hotels/Hilton Hotels, Seattle, WA

1980 - 1986 Hotel Controller - Various

Doubletree Hotels, Seattle, WA

Hotel Pierre, New York City, NY

Quaker Sq Hilton, Akron, OH

Baton Rouge Hilton, Baton Rouge, LA,

Hotel Stanhope, New York, NY

1977 – 1980 Hotel Accounting - Various

Grossinger’s Resort, Grossinger, NY ; Raleigh Hotel, South Fallsburg, NY

Howard J. Cohen – Page 2 of 2

EDUCATION

University of Washington, Seattle, WA - MBA 1989

SUNY Buffalo, Buffalo, NY - BS Business Administration 1977

LICENSURE and CREDENTIALS

Certified Hotel Administrator 1999

Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive 1984

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Seattle Hotel Association

President 2010 - 2013

Vice President 2009 - 2010

Treasurer 2008 – 2009

Board of Directors 2004 – 2016

Visit Seattle (Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau)

Board of Directors 2010 - 2015

Seattle Tourism Improvement Area Ratepayers Board

Chair 2011 – 2012

Board Member 2011 - 2014

Washington State Hotel & Lodging Association

Chairman of the Board 2002 - 2003

Board of Directors 1996 – 2003; 2010 - 2013

Named General Manager of the Year 2011

HERE Local Union 8 Pension–and-Health & Welfare Trust

Trust Secretary 2008 - Present

Board Trustee 2003 - Present

Most Valuable Volunteer for Affordable Housing Management Association

Awarded by President George H W Bush June 1999

COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Howard J. Cohen Bladder Cancer Foundation

Co-Founder and Board President 2014 - Present

The Spirit of Giving, Christmas Holiday Project 1984 - 2012

Founder and Chairman of the Board

Rotary International District 5030

District Governor 2021 - 2022

Assistant District Governor 2007 - 2009; 2017 - 2019

Vocational and Ethics Chair 2009 - 2011

Rotary Club of Emerald City

President (Queen Anne Club) 2005 - 2006

Member (Emerald City) 2001 - Present

President (Emerald City) 2017 - 2018

Seattle Police Foundation

Board Member 2018 – Present

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