Meet HTIM Graduate: Hunter Eagle

​Employer: Mammoth Distilling
Title: General Manager
Date of HTIM course completion: June 2024
Employer: Mammoth Distilling
 
Why did you want to enroll in the HTIM business management course?
To learn more about the service industry and what I can do to better not only my business, but also myself as a person and manager.

How will this help you step up in your career?
I think more than anything, learning about other managers and their style of how they manage their employees and guests helped me further hone my management skills and methods.
 
What advice do you have for others in the hospitality industry who are looking for ways to grow their career?
Watch, listen, learn. Ask questions and take answers to heart. Not all answers will be the right one for you or your scenario, but learning how other people handle situations is priceless. 
 
What was your favorite part of the HTIM business management course?
Our instructor Thomas Hamp. His enthusiasm and attitude are infectious!
 
How long have you been working in the industry?
I have been in the service industry for 16 years. Ranging from part-time to salaried, Dishwasher to General Manager, Wedding Planner, Event Coordinator. Been there, done that! I love it all.
 
Can you share more background on your current role?
Currently, I am the general manager of the Traverse City Tasting Room for Mammoth Distilling. My role in the tasting room is to support my staff and make decisions that best suit them above all. I am essentially their barback! I also plan and execute whiskey blending, where groups of people (or solo individuals) can come in and create their own blend of whiskey to take home in a bottle that day. With events and weddings being a big passion of mine as well, I am working towards using our tasting room for more of those!
 
What was your first job in hospitality? How did you get into this industry?
Banquets! Serving, clearing, dishwashing, the works. I eventually became a banquet bartender and then manager. Which is how I transitioned into wedding planning and event coordination. The skills I learned from that are still used to this day. 
  
Interesting and fun fact:
People are my passion. My management style is "Set them up for success, give them room to fail; and be there to pick them back up if they do fail."

Learn more about HTIM Hospitality Business Management Course

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