Teri Borowski has been the director of personnel for the Adam’s Mark Hotel for almost a year.
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
“We juggle a lot of different hats down here. I handle recruitment, employment, compensation, employee communications, benefits, staff recognition, counseling, any employee relations issues.” She was hired as an assistant and promoted eight weeks later. Borowski has been in the hospitality industry for 12 years.
WHAT’S MOST REWARDING ABOUT HER JOB?
“Actually working with people — whether it’s career counseling, something at work, something in their personal life, bringing in new faces to give them opportunities, promoting them or recognizing someone. In human resources, our guests are our employees.”
WHAT CHALLENGES
DOES SHE FACE?
“Particularly at this property, the challenge is to keep our staff levels where they need to be with qualified, talented individuals that can give guests the service that is expected at the hotel.”
GOOD CITIZEN
“Interest was expressed at the hotel to be involved [in civic activities]. Last October, the hotel participated in breast cancer awareness month. During the holidays, we gave canned food away. Our employee relations committee gets together monthly to decide what things they want to do, not only in the community, but here in the hotel. For the most part, we’ve got an active group.”
OUT FOR BLOOD
Borowski was recently named one of the chairpersons for the Florida-Georgia Blood Alliance. At the previous blood drive at the hotel, she coordinated employee donations. “I picked this organization because it does great things for the community. I distribute flyers to make sure people are informed concerning when they can donate, take names, schedule them and ensure people show up at their scheduled time. [Participation] wasn’t as great as we had hoped. Next time, if we schedule with more organizations, there might be more donations.”
BORN
Southern Illinois.
WHAT BROUGHT HER TO JACKSONVILLE?
“This position. I was looking for other opportunities. A merger took place between companies and my position was eliminated. I was open to leaving Las Vegas at that time so this offer sounded good.”
WHERE DOES SHE LIVE?
Fernandina Beach, a 30-mile commute to downtown one-way, is where she calls home.
EDUCATION
Borowski earned a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising with a minor in communications from Louisiana Technical University.
WHY HUMAN RESOURCES?
“I started out as a department store manager. Then an opening became available in training. I had an interest in it and they gave me the opportunity. From there I ventured into the hospitality industry.”
JET-SET LIFE
After college, but before traveling down her current path, Borowski earned a living as a flight attendant.
LEAVING LAS VEGAS
In 1986, Borowski packed her bags and moved to Las Vegas, working for eight years at Mirage Resorts. Subsequently, she was employed by MGM Grand. She also ran the personnel department for Saks Fifth Avenue.
HOBBIES
Borowski loves the beach or hanging out by the pool. She also enjoys a round of golf, watching comedies and munching on crab legs.
HER PET PEEVE?
“Dishonesty, both personally and professionally. I like people to be upfront so that things can be resolved and we can get to the issue at hand. The other is gossip. In the workplace, that just causes problems. People assume things that aren’t necessarily true.”
IS THE HOTEL READY FOR THE 2005 SUPER BOWL?
“We are just now starting with Super Bowl preparations. I see a challenge with staffing the number of individuals we need to bring on board. We also must prepare to meet the needs of the media. In the next few months we will develop a strategy. We’re excited because we’re the host hotel.”
HOW IS OCCUPANCY NOW?
“Slow. Summer is, from what I understand, a slower time for us. We’re hoping after the summer months that business will pick up.”
— by Monica Chamness