Lakeland University

General Manager at Mendocino Grove

Bishop's Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection

Experience Manager

Mendocino Grove

General Manager

Opening General Manager and Project Manager

A haven from the hustle and bustle of city life located in Hopland, a small town at the southernmost tip of Mendocino County, the Thatcher Hotel is surrounded by the iconic, rolling Northern California hills and the poetic Russian River landscape. Listen for owls, bike alongside vineyards, dip into an art workshop or simply rest your feet and enjoy a cup of coffee in our historic library. If you’re just traveling through, take a break from your fast-track highway romping and slow things down with a meandering walk through our outdoor sculpture garden. Wherever you’re headed or if this is your destination . . . 

The Thatcher Welcomes You.

Thatcher Hotel

In coordination with our Leadership Team, I oversaw all operations of Hallmark Properties in Newport, Oregon, which included Hallmark Resort in Newport, Georgie’s Beachside Grill, and The Whaler. My core responsibility was to set an unmistakably positive tone for the staff so we could welcome our guests with open arms and make their stay Hallmarkable.

Hallmark Inns and Resorts

While serving in a full-time hospitality management role, I launched a consultancy focused on linking service, employee driven micro-communities and social impact as means to accelerate brand affinity and business growth.

Hello Again Hospitality LLC

Hospitality Consultant

Initially recruited as Operations Manager, I assumed the position and responsibilities of the General Manager shortly after the hotel's 2015 opening.  Through servant leadership, I rallied our team to prove that accessibility, kindness and genuine hospitality is not lost -- and is best displayed while welcoming guests to Portland!

A project I'm particularly proud of was a collaboration  we created in partnership with artist Jen Fuller, "A Colorful Life." The project aimed to enhance guest experience and help them more intimately connect with the people and places of Portland through an immersive art experience in the hotel's guest rooms.

The Society Hotel, Portland, OR

I moved to Portland, Oregon and landed an operational leadership role at the university-owned University Place Hotel. While here, I successfully implemented new training materials for the on-boarding of our employees (many of whom were students). This role introduced me to the unique and dynamic operational challenges of a university environment and allowed me to sharpen my communication, issue resolution and negotiation skills.

Portland State University

Front Office Manager, University Place Hotel

After a successful internship at the Blue Bell Lodge, I was invited back to serve as Dining Room Manager, thanks to the confidence of the General Manager from the previous season. Halfway through the season, I was tapped to manage the front desk for the lodge. The experience enabled me to gain hands-on experience in both restaurant operations and hotel leadership, right out of college.

Custer State Park Resort

Front Desk Manager & Dining Room Manager

With our cars all loaded, I road-tripped to South Dakota with five great friends from the Hospitality Management Program at Lakeland College. We spent five months in various operations roles at Custer State Park Resort. I interned at the front desk of the resort's secluded, upscale Blue Bell Lodge.

Jacob Halverson