Meet the Team

Founder
Rosen Hotels & Resorts

Harris Rosen was President and COO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, a hospitality company he founded in 1974. His “little company” features an award-winning collection of seven Orlando-area hotels (three convention and four leisure) comprising 6,338 guest rooms and suites and 740,000 square feet of meeting and event space. With an unyielding, people-first focus, Rosen was a visionary leader in the hospitality, philanthropy and healthcare industries.

Rosen grew up in New York’s Lower East Side with his parents Jack and Lee and his younger brother Ron. His family’s modest apartment still stands at 18 Monroe Street between the East River, Little Italy, the Bowery and Chinatown. After attending Music & Art High School in the Bronx, Harris Rosen applied to mostly fine arts colleges and to Cornell University. He marveled at the fact that he was accepted to Cornell and graduated four years later with a degree in hospitality management.

After Cornell, in the early 1960s, Rosen served as an officer in the Army for more than three years. While stationed in Germany and South Korea, he ascended to the rank of 1^st Lieutenant before returning to the U.S. and igniting a career in hospitality.

Rosen began his career as a convention salesman at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. He continued his rise with the Hilton Hotels Corporation holding various management roles in Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Cape Kennedy (FL) and Dallas. Rosen eventually took his American dream to California. One day he read in the local newspaper about Walt Disney Company’s plans for a major development in Florida, so he applied for a job with them.

Hired by Disney, Rosen moved to Orlando and worked on hotel designs. He even created its central reservation system. His Disney career was flourishing, but years later, Rosen realized if he was truly going to be happy and fulfilled, he had to consider being in business for himself.

The early 1970s was a tough time in the United States with a stock market in decline and an Arab oil embargo making gasoline scarce and costly. Hotels in Orlando struggled mightily. That opened the door for Rosen in 1974 as he took all his savings − $20,000 dollars − and agreed to purchase a small, 256-room Quality Inn snug up against I-4 at the intersection of Sand Lake Road and International Drive. There was no going back.

He did everything from cooking and cleaning to gardening and front desk. Rosen lived on property and even converted two rooms into an office and a tiny apartment with a small stove up against a wall.

Rosen remained in that same office, in what is now the Rosen Inn International, his entire career. His success allowed him to purchase a second hotel, which is now the Rosen Inn closest to Universal, and the Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista, Rosen Plaza, and Rosen Centre. His hotel collection grew with the construction of Rosen Inn at Pointe Orlando and the crown jewel, Rosen Shingle Creek.

His prosperity in the hospitality field is legendary, only matched by his success as a philanthropist and humanitarian. Now, the Rosen name stands tall on seven Orlando-area hotels, the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management, The Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center and multiple foundations benefitting children in underserved communities, warriors fighting cancer and people in other countries hit hard by disasters.

Desiring to give back and make a difference in Central Florida, Rosen created preschool programs in Tangelo Park (1994) and Parramore (2017) which provide free preschool to children ages 2, 3 and 4 in those underserved communities. These initiatives have been lauded for their excellence in preparing students and providing a stable learning environment from which to start their educational journey. When those students graduate high school, Rosen’s foundations provide college or vocational school scholarships covering tuition, books, room & board and other expenses.

In 2004, the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management opened its doors after Rosen donated more than $18 million dollars, his time and resources, while working alongside then-Dean Abe Pizam. His lifetime contributions totaled more than $30 million dollars to the school, which includes a $2.5 million dollar scholarship endowment for UCF that is matched by the state of Florida. The college now ranks as the nation’s top hospitality school and one of the best in the world.

He also donated millions of dollars to develop what is now the Jack and Lee Rosen Jewish Community Center in Southwest Orlando, which serves more than 200 children from infancy to Pre-K. In 2016, Rosen donated an additional $3.7 million to build an event center to accommodate the Rosen JCC’s tremendous growth and popularity.

In 2019, Mr. Rosen donated $12 million to cancer research as a legacy to his son, Adam Michael Rosen, who died in 2018 from brain cancer at the age of 26. The Adam Michael Rosen Neuro-Oncology Laboratories houses multiple laboratories led by researchers at the University of Florida. Their work includes innovative brain tumor immunotherapy research, genetics, artificial intelligence, neuroimaging and care for the development of novel brain tumor treatments.

Mr. Rosen’s passions for swimming led him to save what is now the Rosen Aquatic & Fitness Center not once, but twice from shutting its doors. The second time, during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Harris Rosen Foundation received ownership of the facility and quickly renovated it back to a state-of-the-art swimming and fitness complex. This world-class facility now hosts swimming classes to prevent childhood drownings, is home to past and present Olympians and has been used by multiple organizations, like Special Olympics USA and the US Paralympics Swimming for competitions.

Mr. Rosen also created RosenCare. This innovative, award-winning insurance plan not only gives associates and their families comprehensive coverage, it pays for 90% of all medications, including insulin. In the process, it is estimated to have saved his privately-owned company approximately $500 million and counting since its inception. Along with RosenCare, he established the Rosen Medical Center, which offers associates and their loved ones top-notch medical care and wellness programs, on-campus and while on the clock.

In 2023, Mr. Rosen received an esteemed lifetime achievement award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He also received Leadership Florida’s LeRoy Collins Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 for going above and beyond to improve the lives of all Floridians, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Orlando Chapter Champion of Education award and the Healthcare Revolutionary award presented by the Healthcare Revolution Conference among others.

Harris Rosen passed away at his home on November 25, 2024, surrounded by family and loved ones. He was 85 years old.

General Manager

Dan’s goal as General Manager is to maintain Rosen Shingle Creek as one of the premier resort destinations in the country. He wholeheartedly believes in the spirit of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, which places an emphasis on associate morale, satisfaction, and fair treatment. He believes that hiring good leadership translates to well-respected associates who then provide great guest service. Dan firmly believes in intentional DEI initiatives and instills a like-mindedness within his leadership team.

Dan’s background in the hospitality industry is extensive. He earned a bachelor of science in hospitality management from Rochester Institute of Technology. After graduating, he held a variety of food and beverage management positions including at the Grand Hyatt New York and the New York Marriott Marquis. In March 1990, Dan directed catering sales and served as part of the pre-opening team for the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel. A little more than five years later, Dan joined Rosen Hotels & Resorts as the director of conference management. Subsequently he was promoted to general manager of the Rosen Centre Hotel. Dan has served as general manager of Rosen Shingle Creek since pre-opening and continues to enjoy a nearly 3-decade career with Rosen Hotels & Resorts.

Dan currently serves on Visit Orlando Board of Directors and is involved in multiple local industry-related initiatives, including the Universal Boulevard Property Owners Association, International Drive CRA Advisory Board, Orange County’s Sports Incentive Commission, and the AH&LA Resort Committee. When he is not working, Dan enjoys spending time with his family. His interests include the arts (theatre in particular), fishing, travel, and epicurean adventures.

Resident Manager

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 15
• Birthplace: U.S. Virgin Islands
• Martin Bonventre attended the Cesar Ritz Swiss Hospitality Institute in Washington Connecticut
• Martin’s favorite food off the Rosen Shingle Creek® menu is the Bourbon Burger served at the newly redesigned Tobias Burgers & Brews.
• Martin is a guest speaker for restaurant management courses at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Valencia College.

Chief Sales & Marketing Officer

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 27
• Birthplace: Rhinebeck, New York
• Attended Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut.
• As chair member of Visit Orlando, the city’s official destination organization, Todd served the Convention Sales Committee for two years.
• Todd’s favorite fun thing to do in Orlando is to play a round of golf or attend a sporting event.

Director of Sales & Marketing

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 13
• Birthplace: New Jersey
• Katie’s favorite thing about working at Rosen Hotels & Resorts is the sense of community in the working environment.
• Her favorite thing to do in Orlando is to explore the nature preserves, lakes, and rivers.
• Katie has volunteered for back-to-school supply drives that aid the Tangelo Park community, Habitat for Humanity, and the Second Harvest food drive.

Director of Conference Management

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 13
• Birthplace: Smithtown, Long Island, New York
• Gary attended Pace University.
• His favorite fun thing to do in Orlando is play golf.
• Gary’s favorite dish off the Rosen Shingle Creek® menu is Mi Casa Tequila Taqueria’s Taco Trio.

Executive Chef

• Joined Rosen Hotels & Resorts: December 2021
• Raised in New England, Chef Dunton grew up fishing and clamming in Cape Cod, falling in love with fresh seafood and the creations his family made through the years. Coming from an Armenian and Italian heritage, food was always a big production in his family, with dishes made from scratch.
• Dunton’s love for the ocean and seafood shines in A Land Remembered’s flavorful, pan-seared Chilean Sea Bass and the perfectly seasoned Ancho-Rubbed Salmon.
• Dunton’s Italian heritage is also on full display at Rosen Shingle Creek’s Tuscan-inspired Cala Bella, the resort’s AAA Four Diamond signature Italian restaurant.
• For Chef Dunton, igniting flavor, creating culinary and bringing a sense of family to his craft are his ways of giving back. When he is not hard at work, creating delicacies at Rosen Shingle Creek, you can find him with his finest creation, his family.

Director of Security

• Joined Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 2017
• Birthplace: Tallahassee, Florida
• Attended Florida State University.
• Aspen is a 2023 company Golden Pillar recipient for Manager of the Year.
• Aspen cherishes the opportunity to collaborate with and build lasting relationships with his fellow associates at Rosen Hotels & Resorts.
• His favorite dish at Rosen Shingle Creek is the Bone-In Ribeye at A Land Remembered.
• Aspen loves playing basketball in his local league and dining at his favorite house-made noodles restaurant, DOMU, in Orlando.

Director of Food & Beverage

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 12
• Birthplace: Morocco
• Karima’s favorite thing about working at Rosen Hotels & Resorts is the family-like atmosphere and teamwork within the Food & Beverage Department.
• Her favorite fun thing to do in Orlando is to visit the SeaWorld Park.
• Karima’s favorite food to order off the Rosen Shingle Creek® menu is A Land Remembered’s Bistro Steak Bruschetta and the Jumbo Lump Crab Cake.

Director of Housekeeping

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 22
• Birthplace: St. Cloud, Minnesota
• Nancy attended Alexandria Technical College.
• Nancy’s favorite thing to do in Orlando is to kayak in different lakes in the area and bike on the West Orange Trail. Orlando is also a great location for finding hidden treasures in antique stores, flea markets, thrift shops and garage sales.
• Nancy mentors for high school programs and enjoys participating in 5K runs to benefit charities.

Director of Laundry

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 2
• Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Nick attended Widener University.
• Nick’s favorite things about working at Rosen Hotels & Resorts are the great work/life balance and the amazing people he gets to work with daily.
• Nick is a monthly contributor to the Ask the Expert panel for the publication, American Laundry News.

Director of Banquets

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 22
• Birthplace: Flint, Michigan
• Jerry’s favorite things about working at Rosen Hotels & Resorts are the friendly environment and the opportunity for growth.
• Jerry enjoys Orlando’s many parks and restaurants.
• His favorite dish off the Rosen Shingle Creek® menu is A Land Remembered’s Premium Creekstone All-Natural Bone-In Ribeye.
• Jerry volunteers with A Gift for Teaching, Central Florida’s primary provider of free school supplies.

Director of Banquet Set-Up

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 9
• Birthplace: Santurce, Puerto Rico
• Richard’s favorite thing about working at Rosen Hotels & Resorts is the people that he works with.
• Richard’s favorite fun things to do in Orlando are bowling, golfing, dining, and dancing in Orlando’s many entertainment venues.
• Richard has participated in Cancer Walk at Downtown Orlando’s Lake Eola.

Director of Front Office

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 12
• Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
• Michael graduated from the University of Central Florida (UCF).
• His favorite fun thing to do in Orlando is to visit Downtown Winter Garden with his family to see the farmers market and local restaurants.
• His favorite dish to order off the Rosen Shingle Creek® menu is the Clubhouse Grille’s Blackened Grouper Sandwich, served with spicy caper rémoulade.

Chief Engineer

Director of Catering

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 12
• Birthplace: New York City
• Attended State University of New York.
• Amy’s favorite fun thing to do in Orlando is to visit the SeaWorld theme park.
• She’s a big fan of the Lima Guacamole served tableside at Rosen Shingle Creek®’s restaurant, Mi Casa Tequila Taqueria.

Director of Spa and Recreation

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 15
• Birthplace: Miami, Florida
• Jennifer attended the University of Central Florida.
• Jennifer’s favorite fun thing to do in Orlando is seeing concerts at the Amway Arena in Downtown Orlando, or going on new adventures with her family.
• Her favorite dish to have for lunch is Tobias Burgers & Brews’ Baja Chicken Flat Bread. For dinner, Jennifer prefers A Land Remembered’s Five Diamond Prime Beef New York Strip.
• Jennifer participates in community charity walks such as Reindeer Run and the St. Jude Walk to End Childhood Cancer.

Director of Golf

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 1 year
• Birthplace: Orlando, FL
• Ryan attended the University of Central Florida.
• His favorite fun thing to do in Orlando is play golf.
• Ryan’s favorite hole at Shingle Creek Golf Club is 14, because it is a true risk reward hole, try to drive the green and get an eagle, or hit it in the water and make a double!

Executive Sous Chef

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 23
• Birthplace: Flint, Michigan
• Jeffrey attended the University of Michigan.
• Jeffrey’s favorite thing to do in Orlando is to go camping.
• Jeffrey volunteers with A Taste of the Nation, an Orlando charity dedicated to helping feed hungry children, and Relay for Life, a community-based fundraising event of the American Cancer Society.

Garde Manger Chef

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 22
• Birthplace: Jamaica
• David’s favorite thing about working at Rosen Hotels & Resorts is the trust and confidence that the company has in him.
• His favorite fun thing to do in Orlando is to play golf.
• David enjoys participating in community service events such as Taste of Nations, Cattle Baron Ball, and the Annual Cancer Survivors’ Camp.

Executive Housekeeper

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 25
• Birthplace: Caguas, Puerto Rico
• Fred attended the ITT Technical Institute of Hotel Management.
• Fred’s favorite thing about working at Rosen Hotels & Resorts is the non-corporate atmosphere, which allows associates to make a difference within the organization without having to jump through hoops.
• Fred’s awards: 1998 Manager of the Quarter (Rosen Plaza®), 2002 Manager of the Quarter (Rosen Centre®), 2002 and 2007 Service Advisory Council Golden Pillar Award (for outstanding service).
• Fred is a guest lecturer at the University of Central Florida’s College of Hospitality Management.

VIP Concierge Manager

Landscape Manager

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 11
• Birthplace: New Mexico
• Travis’ favorite dish off the Rosen Shingle Creek® menu is A Land Remembered’s Premium Creekstone All-Natural Bone-In Ribeye.
• Travis Weitz is a past Golden Pillar recipient, a company award for outstanding service.
• Travis volunteers with charities such as Toys for Tots and Christmas Food Drive.

Group Housing Manager

• Joined Rosen Hotels & Resorts in 2008
• Birthplace: New York City
• Mary Lou’s favorite thing about working at Rosen Hotels & Resorts is how everyone is close to each other. For her, it really feels like working with family.
• Her favorite fun thing to do in Orlando is going to Disney with her friends for a magical day!
• In 2008, Mary Lou received the Commitment to Excellence Award at our sister property, Rosen Shingle Creek.

Sales & Catering Manager of Fine Dining

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 11
• Birthplace: Queens, New York City
• Attended the University of Central Florida.
• Alison values the many opportunities to learn and grow within Rosen Hotels & Resorts.
• Her favorite restaurant at the Rosen properties is Rosen Shingle Creek’s signature steakhouse, A Land Remembered, where she always treats herself to lobster mac and cheese.
• Alison takes advantage of Orlando’s many outdoor opportunities by cycling on nature trails, riding park rides at Disney World or Universal Studios, and relaxing on the beach with friends.

Food & Beverage Outlets Manager

• Years with Rosen Hotels & Resorts: 6
• Birthplace: Orlando, Florida
• Maci attended the University of Central Florida.
• Maci’s favorite thing about working at Rosen Hotels & Resorts is getting to work for a company that truly cares for its employees. She enjoys working with people who take pride in the work they do.
• Her favorite fun things to do in Orlando are spending time outdoors and visiting theme parks.

Assistant Director of Food & Beverage