Tina Futrell ('97 BS Hospitality Management) wrote recently to share what she loves best about her career and her start at Ohio State.
I’ve always wanted to go to Ohio State -- no question about it. Growing up just an hour away, in Indian Lake, Ohio, I considered Columbus the “big city.”
Thanks to my degree in Hospitality Management, my great professors and my academic advisor, I’ve held a variety of positions in my field. And, of course, my on-the-job training at The Crowne Plaza, in downtown Columbus, helped tremendously, as I worked there during college.
Today, I am director of rooms at Cleveland’s The Metropolitan at the 9 hotel, having opened there in fall 2014. I oversee operations, which includes guest services and housekeeping and working closely with our residents.
The Metropolitan has 156 guest rooms, as well as 196 rental units. We also have much more to offer on the food and beverage side, so we never have a dull moment. We get tons of traffic when the Cavaliers, Indians or Browns play nearby.
As part of Marriott's Autograph Collection of hotels, The Metropolitan at the 9 lets us have fun and be ourselves. I actually can wear jeans to work.
The most exciting part is the people I get to meet. Just last weekend, I was honored to meet our own Buckeye Kirk Herbstreit and his family. That, made my year.
Tina Futrell is No. 1 in Buckeye enthusiasm.
A hotel career journey
My rise to this exciting position began a year after graduation. I moved to Florida and was thrilled to be hired by the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company in Palm Beach. Again, I credit my degree program with allowing me to pick up and move to Florida, knowing no one, and find a great job.
I worked at The Ritz-Carlton for five years, enjoying a variety of positions. The company is known for its personalized service, and I soon became skilled at memorizing names of repeat visitors. I especially enjoyed finding ways to connect with them, as they were typically staying on the property for several days. Going above and beyond to surprise and delight them was, and still is, exhilarating.
My ability was recognized when I was asked to open a few new Ritz-Carlton properties as a trainer. From there, I transferred to the Orlando Grande Lakes property, opening it as the assistant front office manager.
Buckeye love reaches out from Ohio State
Before I attended Ohio State, I visited a friend on campus and met my husband-to-be, Ron. We saw each other occasionally during our time at Ohio State in different degree programs (he majored in Aviation Engineering), but it was five years after graduation that love bloomed. We married in 2002.
Our daughter, Kali (in the O-H-I-O photo), was born while we lived in Orlando. After having her, we decided to move back to Ohio to be near family, including my mother-in-law, Evelyn Ferguson (far left in O-H-I-O photo). In Columbus, I assisted with the transition of the Adams Mark to the Columbus Renaissance.
After a year there, we move to Cleveland, where The Ritz-Carlton welcomed me back. I spent nine years between front of the house, human resources and housekeeping.
The Ritz-Carlton is a solid company with a strong foundation and philosophy. It focuses on guests, but it also focuses on the employees. I was sad to leave the company; it will always be remembered as a favorite.
As is Ohio State, and the chance to spell O-H-I-O wherever I go.
