Our Experience is Key

The team assembled by Paul Celnik to lead Triumph Hotel & Restaurant Management and Consulting  is diverse in talents yet guided by one goal – to show the highest possible Return of Investment. Each member is dedicated to creating a hotel and restaurant environment that focuses on quality service and amenities, exceeding guest expectations and providing a safe and enjoyable work atmosphere. Rather than an oppressive and intrusive management, Triumph Hotel & Restaurant Management and Consulting provides the tools for property managers to allow them to make proactive operational decisions. Because each member of Triumph Hotel & Restaurant Management and Consulting has worked on property and are considered authorities in their areas of expertise, they are able to insightfully hire, manage, and lead the on-site team to result in a profit minded environment with high guest satisfaction.

Paul Celnik

Mr. Celnik’s belief that every associate contributes to the success of a hotel has been a vital component of the accomplishments of The Iroquois. Mastering the art of management, Mr. Celnik brings out the best of his team leaders, empowering them with decision making while guiding them to greater levels of guest satisfaction. Mr. Celnik’s experience and knowledge of local and global hotel markets, trends, services, operations, finance, food and beverage is highly respected throughout the hospitality community. Mr. Celnik continually benchmarks new services to guests, invests in management and staff training, and implements strong marketing and public relations practices. Joining Triumph Hospitality in August of 1999, Mr. Celnik brought thirty years experience in restaurant and the luxury hospitality industry to The Iroquois and Triumph. Mr. Celnik began his career with Inter-Continental Hotels in 1984 commanding senior executive corporate and property positions within Inter-Continental, Orient Express Hotels-Copacabana Palace Rio De Janiero. It is these experiences that has shaped his style and driven the Iroquois Hotel from a virtually unknown, unrated hotel to the Four Star, internationally recognized hotel it is today. Mr. Celnik is recognized by his peers in the hospitality industry, Triumph Hospitality and Small Luxury Hotels of the World as a consummate professional, dedicated to the entire operation of his property. It was this professionalism and drive to expand his definition of hospitality that inspired Mr. Celnik to found Triumph Hotel and Restaurant Management and Consulting and assemble a team of consummate professionals dedicated to the art of hospitality.

Wayne Schneider  
Director of Operations

Wayne Schneider has proven himself to be innovative, inspirational and a detail oriented professional for over 17 years in the hospitality industry.  A career marked by success, Mr. Schneider got his start in New York City at the Macklowe Hotel in the Housekeeping Department where his talents, experience and resources quickly led to executive positions at such reputed hotels as the Sherry-Netherland, The Pierre and The Soho Grand.  Mr. Schneider was instrumental in the transformation of The Iroquois Hotel into a four star luxury property where he expanded his expertise in training and managing staffs,  implementing policies and procedures that maximize productivity and profitability.  Mr. Schneider has also held prominent corporate positions in Procurement and Quality Assurance at Prime Hospitality and Wyndham Hotel Group.

 
Jennifer Rota
Director of Sales and Marketing
The daughter of a hotel General Manager, Jennifer has experienced all facets of the hositality industry, though it is in Sales and Marketing that she has found her true passion.  Ms. Rota’s career has included various executive positions with Hilton, Marriott, Adams Mark and Westin in California, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Returning to her native New York City, Jennifer assumed the helm of Sales and Marketing  at The Iroquois Hotel in 2005 and has recently been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing for The Michelangelo Hotel, a 187 room luxury property in midtown Manhattan. Jennifer has an intricate understanding of the ever changing market conditions and motivates sales professionals while instilling confidence in clients and guests.  Her marketing skills extends from print to the complex world of the internet, bringing a fresh approach to all campaigns.

Steven Zobel
Chef - Director of Food and Beverage
Chef Steven Zobel has refined his natural culinary ability by hands on exploration of the techniques and cuisines used by famed chefs in North America and Europe.    Steven studied under Andrew D’Amico as Sous Chef at Sign of the Dove; one of New York’s most heralded restaurants; after which he attained the position of Executive Chef of Contrapunto, also owned by the Santos family group. His career then led him to Paul Celnik , where they successfully collaborated to create “Triomphe”, which is critically and financially lauded. Chef Zobel has excelled at Triomphe, managing the culinary operations for the main dining room, the private dining room and breakfast room, and 24 hour room service. This is achieved while he also acts as The Iroquois’ and Triomphe’s ambassador, participating in many charitable events in the city. Mr. Zobel has earned a reputation among the most highly rated chef’s in New York City.

Jennifer Kells
Director of Revenue Management

Jennifer Kells is an experienced hospitality professional with 15 years of Revenue Management experience.  Soon after graduating with a B.S. in Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management from Penn State University, Ms. Kells was accepted into the Hyatt Internship Program and began her hospitality career concentrating in Front Office and Revenue Management.  Ms. Kells has successfully balanced consumer behavior with market conditions in order to maximize revenue and achieve the highest reevenue for the hotels she worked with in the New York City market, including the Omni Berkshire and Tribeca Grand.  Ms. Kell's discipline and abilities quickly elevated her to a position with Grand Hospitality as Revenue Manager for multiple properties, driving revenue in excess of $50,000,000.