As head of the School of Hard Rocks, Jim has put his experience and creativity to work, which has consistently developed cutting-edge training concepts.

The Training & Development department won coveted Telly Awards in 2000 for Hard Rock’s guest service video and again took top honors in 2007 for their menu rollout video. His team also garnered Training Directors Forum’s 1998 prize for “Reengineering Training.” Additionally, he was recognized by Training Magazine as representing one of the Top 125 training companies in the world out of all industries & businesses.

Although a part of a small training group, which supports all cafe, hotel and casino properties, in his current role, Jim is involved in many facets of organizational training. This includes creating/managing all staff and management training materials & programs, facilitating its corporate university, overseeing MIT training stores, producing training DVD’s, directing company e-Learning initiatives, facilitating leadership transitions and traveling to property locations to deliver on-site classes & measure standards.

Jim has a music degree in Vocal Performance & Education and taught in the Florida public school system for 6 years, before catching the “hospitality bug”. He has been in the restaurant industry for 25years (20 of those with Hard Rock), starting out a staff-level employee.

Jim is a long-time member of CHART (The Council of Hotel & Restaurant Trainers), previously sat on the Certification Governing Board of the National Restaurant Association and started a local networking group with over 100 active members in Central Florida, to share best practices and discuss common issues with other industry professionals. Networking is a big part of his success.

Jim facilitates on a variety interactive topics, including sessions around Hard Rock history, company culture, world-class service, employee branding, performance management, philanthropy, facilitation training, music appreciation and his approach to corporate universities.