Meet HTIM Graduate: John J. Pabami

Employer: Little River Casino Resort
Title: Hotel Houseman
Date of HTIM course completion: November 2025
Location: Manistee, MI

Why did you want to enroll in the HTIM business management course? My employer gave me the opportunity to attend this course since I am currently employed in the hotel. I wanted to learn as much as I possibly can about the hospitality industry. Since my employer was paying for it, I felt it would be a disservice to myself if I did not take advantage of this opportunity that could only enhance my resume in the hospitality industry.​ 

How will this help you step up in your career?
Working in the hospitality industry for 20 years, I am always able to learn more. I feel that if I stop learning, then I stop growing. There is always more I can learn, and HTIM provided me with the tools to continue to excel in this ever-growing industry. In addition, I can take this education with me anywhere in the country.

What advice do you have for others in the hospitality industry who are looking for ways to grow their career?
If you ever can take this course, I would highly recommend it. 

What was the favorite part of the HTIM business management course?
I was impressed with how my facilitator did not leave anyone behind. He made sure everyone understood the curriculum. We entered as a team, learned as a team, and completed this course together. TEAM= Together Everyone Achieves More.

How long have you been working in the hospitality industry?
I began my career in the hospitality industry in 2004.

Can you share more about your current role?
I am a houseman at the Little River Casino Resort in Manistee. As a houseman, my responsibilities are endless. I clean the hotel entryways and ensure our housekeeping staff are consistently supplied with the linen and other items needed to prepare our rooms for guests. My time in this position has allowed me to adapt to any position in the hospitality industry—housekeeping, front desk and more.

What was your first job in hospitality, how did you get into the industry?
My very first job here at the Little River Casino Resort was a laundry attendant. I started my career at the bottom and worked my way to the top for any position I wanted. After being a laundry attendant, I worked my way into the position of laundry Supervisor. Since I have been here, I have been a Hotel Supervisor, Housekeeping Supervisor, Gift Shop Supervisor, as well as many front-line positions. I never went to school for hospitality; I felt the best experience comes from hands-on experience. As a leader, one of my favorite tasks was to develop other front-line employees for leadership roles.

Please share interesting/ fun facts about yourself. Like your favorite food, or place to travel, or a quirky fact.
I am an avid lover of music. It can cure any ailment better than any medication can. It really does soothe the savage beast. I love to sing, and surprisingly, people love to hear me sing. People love my Joe Cocker, Bob Seger, Lynyrd Skynyrd, vocals among others. My favorite food is pizza from Mr. Scribs in Muskegon. My favorite place to travel to is Oceanside, California. My brother, who passed away, went to boot camp at Camp Pendleton in the United States Marine Corps. And when I go there on vacation, it is a therapeutic time for me because I go there to talk to him and smell the ocean.

I used to play the following instruments as a child: violin, cello, bass cello, harp, and piano. And I am considering getting back into the violin again. 

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