Jon McGavin

Financial Planning, Housing and Consumer Economics

McGavin learned early on the importance of hard work to be successful in the hospitality industry

Major/year graduated

BSFCS in Hotel and Restaurant Management, 1991

Current occupation/location

Area General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes

What do you love about your current role?

No two days are the same. I get to work with amazing people from around the world. Operating one of the largest resorts in the world allows me to attract some of the most talented leaders in the world.

How did your time at FACS help prepare you for your life or career?:

Julia Poynter was one of our professors when I was at UGA. She gave us real-world experience and did not sugarcoat how much work would need to go into a successful career in hospitality.

What advice would you give current students who aspire to a similar career?

If you want a career in hospitality you need to find a brand and a leader with a track record of producing successful leaders. Your first three or four years need to be about learning from the best. Anyone can be successful in the hospitality industry if you start the early part of your career building your reputation and learning how to lead people and run a great business.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were a student?

I wish I had taken the time when I was a student to get more experience internationally.