18
August
2022
|
08:30 AM
America/New_York

Matt Romero: The Hotel Hershey Team Member Spotlight

Meet the Director of Rooms Division & Workforce Inclusion Chair

If you have visited The Hotel Hershey at any point since 2017, chances are you have seen Matt Romero walking around the property. In his role as director of the rooms division, Matt oversees the front of house, recreation and housekeeping departments for the Forbes Four Star- and AAA Four Diamond-winning property.  A driving force in the company’s diversity efforts, Matt also chairs the Workforce Inclusion Employee Resource Group (ERG). This ERG is a collection of in-house experts on workforce inclusion with a mission to cultivate a culture where diversity is sought out, respected, and celebrated. 

  • Matt Romero, his family, and Leslie Ferraro at Race Against Racism
  • Team Members at Race Against Racism
  • Matt Romero and his daughter
  • Matt Romero and Kathleen McGraw at the PA Chamber of Business and Industry Equality & Diversity Summit
  • Matt Romero and HE&R team members at Ronald McDonald House
  • Matt Romero and HE&R team members at a MERGE event
  • Matt Romero and HE&R team members at a MERGE event

We were able to steal a few minutes of Matt's time to ask him about his career. 

Communications Team: Where did you attend school? 
Matt Romero: University of Nevada Las Vegas

CT: What led you to Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (HE&R)? 
MR: A recruiter reached out to me. That was the first time I learned of HE&R and Hershey, PA.

CT: Walk us through your day as director of the rooms division at The Hotel Hershey.
MR: In general, I provide leadership and support the daily operations of the rooms division. I ensure guest and team member satisfaction and work with other departments/divisions to appropriately handle groups and special functions. Additionally, I conduct quality checks in guest rooms and public areas. 

CT: What is the most gratifying part of your role?
MR: Seeing happy guests enjoying the experiences we create for them is the most gratifying part of what we do at The Hotel Hershey (and at HE&R as a whole). 

CT: What advice would you give to someone starting their career journey?
MR: Start working as soon as possible. I held many roles with other companies throughout my career and I would not be where I am today if I had not jumped right in. 
Matt previously held positions at the Four Seasons Santa Barbara, Four Seasons Las Vegas and Four Seasons Resort and Residences in Vail Colorado.

CT: What is the best perk of working for HE&R?
MR: HE&R has so many different areas, from resort properties to Hersheypark amusement park, concert venues and more. We have the opportunity to volunteer our time and assist our teammates in different areas, which also grows our team as we learn different parts of the business. I have worked concerts at Hersheypark Stadium and employee parties at Hersheypark. I also enjoy taking my family to Hersheypark on my days off. 

CT: What do you most enjoy about working for HE&R?
MR: I enjoy working with amazing leaders and team members at The Hotel Hershey. And of course, HE&R's Core Purpose to provide value to Milton Hershey School (MHS) is extremely important to my family and me. 

CT: Are you active in any community organizations or HE&R volunteer groups?
MR: I volunteer with Cocoa Packs, a local organization that provides supplemental food & other support to local children in need to enhance their overall wellness. Within HE&R, in addition to serving as chair of the Workforce Inclusion ERG, I participate in Project Fellowship with MHS. This program pairs HE&R employees with MHS student homes through fun and rewarding activities. The mission of Project Fellowship is to build a bridge and foster a sense of connection between students, house parents, employee volunteers, and their families.

CT: What do you like to do in your free time?
MR: My family loves to take day and weekend trips to explore the east coast. We also enjoy going to sporting events and concerts.

The Hotel Hershey
The Hotel Hershey Lobby
Fountain Lobby at The Hotel Hershey
The Hotel Hershey Outdoor Pool

Would you love to learn from some of the best in the industry and work on Matt's team?  The Hotel Hershey has full- and part-time positions available across a variety of departments. Once hired, team members enjoy sweet perks including:

  • Employee cafeteria with a free meal during scheduled shift
  • Up to 50% off room rates at The Hotel Hershey or Hershey Lodge
  • Up to 20% off restaurants across Hershey, PA
  • Flexible schedules
  • Up to 30% off shops across Hershey, PA
  • Free admission and parking to Hersheypark
  • And more!

Visit TheHotelHershey.com/jobs to learn more and apply today!