Gus' Gazette Tag: Employee Spotlight

 

 

Name: Leshawn Rue
Department: Account Services
Birthday: December 19^th (Sag!!!)

What’s your top 3 memorable onPeak moments/successes?

• Getting unhappy clients and turning them around
• Consolidating 3 positions into 1
• Atlanta Summer and Holiday parties!!!

What aspects of onPeak motivate you?

• The People!! 
• Constant change.  I hate being stagnant so the fact every event brings its own complexities and the everyday challenges excite me

What advice would you give to someone wanting to advance in within onPeak?

Own up to your mistakes, always look for places where you can make yourself better and never fear saying you don’t know or understand something.  Growth/advancement starts within and then shines on the outside.  Someone is always watching so they’ll see you.

Name 3 famous people you would invite to a dinner party (no exclusions)

• Tupac
• Michelle Obama
• Daenerys Targaryen or Arya Stark 😊

What are you currently binge watching?

Way too many things but most recent Love is Blind and Game of Thrones (for the 1000^th time).

If you had a YouTube channel, what would you talk about?

LIFE!  I’ve been through a lot but have never given up and welcome all the ups and downs.  They’ve taught me to live life to the fullest and I intend to do just that.

 

Name: Eric Twilegar
Department: IT Department
Time with onPeak: 15 + 7
Birthday: July 13

Can you tell us about your path to becoming the Sr Director of Product and Technology at onPeak?

I started with Travel Technology Group (TTG) as a Web Developer on Jan 3^rd, 2000. What a way to kick off the millennia ey?  At that point I had been doing desktop, networking, and server support for a larger corporation, but I had been programming software since my early teens. So, this was my first professional coding gig. This was during the .COM rush and Compass was still in early development. The database guy at TTG decided to move to Seattle, so I jumped into that role. I kept taking roles like reporting, server deployment, and Euro expert. The first few years were crazy with many overnighters and way too much junk food. Portillos and Rock and Roll McDonalds were my kitchen. Since I had banged out a lot of Compass both coding and deployment I was just naturally involved and became Director of Tech around 2005. I met my wife at TTG and we decided to move to Madison to start our family and this meant leaving TTG. I did stay on as a consultant and did work here and there until returning full time as a developer again in 2009 and then we became onPeak. We created the new external around this time and I took over database functions and other duties. As the existing director left, I took his role. When Covid struck the head of Tech and Product left and I assumed that role….and here we are once again.

What trends in technology are you most excited about and why?

AI is the only game in town now for better and worse. I think I am not excited about the grand visions as much as AI making basic internet searches faster and more productive. There are many times when folks need help in Excel, writing formally, or doing some math and AI can give you a great start and save you time. As for just doing our jobs it is mostly just hype, but it certainly should be able to get rid of some of the drudgery.

Do you have a favorite tech gadget or app that you can’t live without?

My days of playing with every new gadget ended a while back or maybe they have slowed down now that everything is just on our phones. I’m starting to get there with Gemini as I’m probably asking it first before doing a search.

What is one unexpected item on your bucket list?

Honestly, I don’t really have a bucket list. But if you need me to help with yours let me know. I’m trying to see all 33 NHL teams live, but that’s expected if you know me.

What’s one movie or tv show you could watch repeatedly?

I think I watched Edge of Tomorrow like 30 times for some reason. Back when cable was a thing and it was always on Showtime. Now its YouTube clips of Shorsey, 30 rock, Family Guy, and whatever the algorithm thinks I’m into this week.

What is the best place you have ever traveled to, and what made it special?

Amsterdam was my first trip out of the country. I was installing Compass and barely old enough to drink, so it was eye-opening. The canals and laid back atmosphere make it a nice place to be. Italy was a close second because of the company and all the history and good food.

 

Name: Megan Lennon
Department: Hotel Industry Relations
Time with onPeak: 18 years
Birthday: October 18

What do you think sets onPeak apart from others in the industry?

Our inspiring and dedicated employees set onPeak apart. Everyone truly cares about their events’ success and is proactive, engaged and creative.

What does a typical day look like in your role?

My typical day is fast paced while working on contracting several shows simultaneously. Strategizing, sourcing and negotiating contracts to create housing programs keeps me busy.

Can you share a memorable event or experience you’ve had at onPeak?

I will never forget wearing Viking helmets while axe throwing with the HIRM team in Chicago!

Do you have any hobbies or interests that you’re passionate about outside of work?

I’m an avid reader and take drawing classes.  I lead a Girl Scout troop (come to me with any cookie needs 😊) and enjoy traveling and being in nature with my family.

What’s your favorite book or movie and why does it resonate with you?

The Harry Potter series are my favorite books.  I read them as they were released and again twice with each of my daughters.  They are such a fun, magical escape.

Name: Tyler DeVos

Department: Tech Team
Birthday: August 27

What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career?

One of the key lessons I’ve learned is the importance of being flexible. Unexpected challenges and opportunities arise that require the ability to pivot, shift direction swiftly, and adapt.
There a lot of value in embracing failure and learning from setbacks. Each setback (no matter how small) presents an opportunity for growth and improvement. By analyzing failures, identifying areas for improvement, and incorporating lessons learned into future endeavors,  I’ve been able to continually evolve and succeed in my career journey.

What drew you to want to be a part of onPeak?

I have a few friends who work here, and they talk about how fantastic it is to be able to work as a team to figure out solutions. Everyone has a voice and is able to suggest new ideas or technology.

Who inspires you/where do you get your inspiration? 

Inspiration can be contagious. Surround yourself with people you admire who bring out the positivity in you. I am fortunate to have a wonderful wife and three boys who help keep me pushing forward and motivate me to achieve my goals.

What game show would you most want to participate in?

Taskmaster UK

Whose ship is cooler – USS Enterprise, The Tardis, or Millennium Falcon?

Serenity

 

Department: Product
Time with onPeak: 7 years 5 months
Birthday: November 2nd

Can you tell us about your journey within onPeak and the different departments you’ve worked in? What lessons and insights have you learned along the way?

Once upon a time when onPeak was but a small company, I was there rocking my Account Manager hat. As an Account Manager I juggled responsibilities for both our current Account Executive and Group Services Associate roles. After we became a part of the GES family and our team expanded; I wore the hats of Account Executive, HIRM, and now Product Manager. I’ve been able to work with teams I both respect and have fun with; and have met some of my closest friends here. I’ve learned that growth isn’t linear and that you can’t go on a journey without a little change.

What do you think sets onPeak apart in terms of its approach to employee development and support? 

Our leadership excels at helping us uncover our true interests and then incorporate those passions into our roles. I’ve always loved problem-solving, poking around in Compass deadlands, and asking, “What does that button do?” Leadership actually pointed me in the direction of Product Management, and it couldn’t be a more perfect fit for me.

Can you share an accomplishment or project that you’re particularly proud of during your tenure here?

In 2022, I had the opportunity to enroll in a Product Management certification course. For the final project I chose to create a travel app. I know…shocker. I wanted to amp up my design skills, so I used the same toolbox our Product team uses daily. Since then, every project I’ve tackled at onPeak has benefited from those newfound skills. Kudos to my leadership team for fueling my professional glow-up!

If you could create your own holiday, what would it be called?

GPS Appreciation Day. Let’s be honest…if Google Maps or Waze disappeared there would be a nationwide panic. I live in Atlanta where it takes 45 minutes to get 5 miles and 45 minutes to get 20 miles. GPS…you make it make sense and you let me be late, but on purpose. Let’s give you your flowers.

What’s your favorite hobby or pastime outside of work?

Clubbing in Barnes and Noble, taking someone else’s dog to the park, happy tears in pilates every Saturday, avoiding complicated parking, brunching with a gluten allergy, Bollywood movies and K-Dramas, Baby Yoda home décor, and I can make a fire guac.

 

Name: Erin Eddy
Department: Call Center
Birthday: March 3rd

How long have you been with onPeak?

November 2009… So, 14ish years.

How do you balance stressful days?

Humor. Sometimes you just have to laugh at how absurd things are. I once had a caller ask me to find her a hotel in Chicago that had a cast-iron bathtub ‘with the gold feet’ in her room. She was dead serious.

If humor doesn’t work, music.

What is your favorite onPeak memory?

When we were in the Clark St. office, I used to help prank… ‘prank’ Helen Dulceac on her birthdays. One year, we covered her desk in sticky notes. Another year we covered her entire desk – ENTIRE DESK and everything on it in tinfoil. Those were pretty fun… and absurd. One year, I think for her 50th…? We built a tiny house around her cubicle. We used actual lumber and everything. If I remember correctly, I think she left it standing for something like 3 months.

What’s your favorite part about your city?

The diversity. In my neighborhood you’ll find just about every walk of life. It’s comforting.

What are you currently binge watching?

The wife has agreed to finally watch Star Trek. All of it. ALL-FIFTY-EIGHT-YEARS. Ha-ha. Sucker.

Name: Karen Wegrzyn

Department: Finance

Time with onPeak: 13 years in April 2024

Birthday: February 5th

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

I love being able to help others, especially with the financial piece of the onPeak puzzle.  The onPeak Finance team are the “translators” of financial information and it is a great day when we can assist an onPeaker with financial calculations and analysis of the actuals and audit results.

Can you share a piece of advice you’ve received that has been pivotal in your career?

Always be open to change which can bring new challenges but also provide the chance to push yourself outside of your comfort zone.

Do you have a favorite book or movie that has influenced you personally or professionally?

I recently read The Storyteller by Dave Grohl. My favorite reads are memoirs and I related to how who you meet at different points of your life can lead you in directions you hadn’t considered and foster lifelong friendships that truly span the globe.  As the wife of a former touring musician, I could relate to the rigid but awesome travel schedule and moving from one city to another so quickly.  Travel has always been a big part of my life and I’ve had the opportunity to see some pretty cool cities while accompanying the band on their tours.

Can you tell us about a passion project or hobby you’re currently engaged in?

I am a big gardener and have recently been working on determining what veggies we will grow this year in our raised bed garden.  Our garden can sustain not only my family but also others in the community that I live in.  There is usually an abundance of crops so it’s easy to share what we cannot use with our neighbors and with a local food pantry.

What has been your favorite travel destination and what made it such a memorable experience for you? 

It is difficult to choose which destination I would call my favorite.  I’ve been to Europe over 15 times!  Travel has been a guilty pleasure of mine since being in college many moons ago.  I found myself leaving the US at least once a year for over 15 years including 2 separate trips which were each 30 days long.  I now have the opportunity to share this love with my kids and last summer we traveled to Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and England in one 18-day trip. Aside from experiencing amazing scenery, adventurous activities like zip lining and spelunking, and unique local customs, there is so much to learn when traveling to another country and interacting with people from all over the world.

Department: Reservations

Birthday: May 7, XXXX – *A Lady Never Tells* (Evil Smile)

How long have you been with onPeak?

11 years

How would you describe your team?

The Reservations Team are beasts. Under the leadership of John Hunt, we are the ultimate athletes.  We Jump In and tackle ALL the events. We are the line of scrimmage, intercepting curve balls, and the anticipated goal of a World Cup.

How do you balance stressful days?

MUSIC – The driving force to change any mood.

What’s your favorite part about your city? (New York)

The diversity of the arts and cuisine – Every day there is something new happening. LOVE THIS TOWN.

What’s your favorite Halloween tradition?

I come from a LARGE FAMILY *TONS OF COUSINS*. We always dress up & have family parties. This Halloween the madness continues.

Department: Account Services

Time with onPeak: 11 years

Birthday: September 3rd

What do you enjoy most about working at onPeak?

I love onPeak because of the leadership, coworkers, and the culture. In all my different stages of life, I’ve had many different directors and executives, but they all have been so accommodating and supportive. I’ve made friends from onPeak that even after they have left, I am still in contact with.

Can you share a particularly memorable success story from one of your events?

In 2020, onPeak just won a huge account in which I was one of the two AEs assigned. We were given history and contracts for 90 hotels in August. They needed to be built and ready to open by November. Imagine building a meeting with all the idiosyncrasies, like different rate tiers, variable nightly rates, room types, variable deposit charges, chargeable cancellation fees, and attrition. It took a whole onPeak village to build and QA, but we did it!

What’s a personal motto or quote that inspires and motivates you?

You reap what you sow and grow where you are planted.

What’s a hobby or skill that you’re passionate about?

I enjoy cooking and eating. I also enjoy learning new random skills where I usually end up in a rabbit hole trying to master it, like the one time I learned to read Vedic astrology birth charts.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why?

I would love to be able to heal. Heal anything from wounds and diseases to those that are needing help mentally. Just imagine what a better place it would be if we could be healed from anything that hurts us.

Department: Hotel Industry Relations

Birthday: September 1st

 

How has onPeak changed since you started?

Technology is probably the number one variable that has contributed to lots of changes at onPeak. It is not too far in the past that we had big binder books labeled by event name and filled with many hotel contracts. When we needed to review a contract for any reason, we had to haul out the big binder and start flipping through the actual paper copies.

What are some key milestones you have seen?

Besides technology, on a more personal level, our upper management is the most supportive I have ever experienced in the years I have been at onPeak. Our jobs can be demanding and sometimes stressful, and being surrounded by such supportive people helps to alleviate a lot of the stress.

Can you share some highlights of your career at onPeak?

Meeting so many spectacular people, both internally at onPeak and of course externally, especially some of our clients. I am very lucky to have worked with some incredibly intelligent and experienced co-workers and clients who have taught me a great deal about the hospitality industry over the years. Also, I have had an opportunity to visit many parts of the United States during my work travels and that has been a great opportunity and privilege. My first trip to Hawaii was for a client meeting!

Are there any achievements or moments that you are proud of?

Yes, one of my greatest achievements is being a long term and trusted advisor to several of onPeak’s key clients.

Can you share any insights into how the industry has changed since you started?

Once again, technology has been a big game changer and has improved communication and processes in general.  In regards to changes in hotel contract negotiations, it seems that more and more the hotel revenue team vs. the hotel sales team has the bulk of the decision making as it relates to certain key contract terms like room blocks, room rates, and rooms attrition. So, there is another “layer” added to the contract negotiations with the hotels beyond the sales teams. As a Hotel Industry Relation Manager, we have to approach our hotel contract negotiations from the onPeak external client’s perspective, the onPeak internal client’s perspective, the Hotel sales manager’s perspective and more and more, the Hotel revenue manager’s perspective.

What’s the most interesting place you’ve visited, and what made it so memorable?

Cape Cod, Massachusetts is not only an interesting place, geographically, historically and architecturally, and a place where you can find the best lobster rolls, fried clams and clam chowder, but also the place where our family gathered every summer for almost 20 years. Our family had moved south and away from our Massachusetts relatives quite a long time ago, first to Richmond, Virginia and then Atlanta, Georgia. All of my mom’s brothers and sisters still lived in the Massachusetts area, and in the mid 1990’s, my brother Steve decided we should make the trip to Cape Cod so our mom could spend more time with her siblings, nieces and nephews, and we could spend time with our aunts, uncles and cousins. The trips meant so much to all of us, but especially to my mom who very much loved hanging with her sisters, telling stories and laughing together all afternoon.

What is a surprising or little-known fact about you that other onPeakers might not know?

In my early twenties, I worked for a company called Easter Onion Singing Telegrams and yes, I was an Eastern Onion messenger and performed singing telegrams for about a year.

*Contributed by Jerrica Bungcayao