Rocky Mountain Roundup: Future Of Hospitality

Having lived in 26 cities in 16 countries, I am proud to call Denver home, as it offers two things I enjoy most: a bustling, cosmopolitan vibe and abundant outdoor adventure.” Four Seasons Tenure Since 1987 First Four Seasons Assignment: Overnight Stewarding Supervisor, Four Seasons Hotel Houston Employment History Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis; Four Seasons Hotel Toronto; Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver; The Regent Jakarta (formerly a Four Seasons hotel); Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa; Four Seasons Resort Nevis, West Indies; Four Seasons Hotel Boston; Four Seasons Hotel Houston Birthplace Strasbourg, France Education Hotel Management Degree, École Les Roches, Crans Montana, Switzerland Languages Spoken English, French, some Swahili and Bahasa Indonesian A perpetual globetrotter, Regional Vice President and General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Denver Thierry Kennel had covered a good portion of the world by adolescence. Born in France, Kennel reminisces moving many times as a child for his father’s job. “I grew up in hotels, in and out of properties a couple of times a year as we waited for each new assignment,” says Kennel, recounting stops in Algiers, Congo, Libya, Kenya, Canada, Kenya again and finally, Paris. “Seeing how hotels operate and how their employees go above and beyond made me realise my career path at the young age of 13.” In Switzerland, Kennel studied hotel management at Les Roches International School of Hotel Management. His first position was in the US, at Four Seasons Hotel Houston, as an overnight supervisor in stewarding. Now, with nine Four Seasons properties on his resume, Kennel knows the hotel experiences he had at a young age shaped his future. “Equipping my teams with the skills they need to provide five-star service is my most rewarding task,” says Kennel. “In turn, I’m delighted to receive the glowing feedback from guests who received a creative amenity or an unexpected touch during their stay with us.” Today, Kennel is based at high elevation in Denver, while still overseeing five properties and helping develop many more. After living on remote islands such as the Maldives and Nevis, he enjoys Denver, as it is the perfect launching pad for Rocky Mountain adventure. “Being an outdoor enthusiast, I enjoy living in Denver,” remarks Kennel. “The city is sophisticated and happening – evident by numerous media outlets naming it one of the best places to live – but it still possesses a small town friendliness; maybe it’s the city’s Wild West roots.” Active in the community, Kennel serves on the Board of Directors for University of Colorado Hospital Foundation and Metro State University. If he’s not touring the mountains on his motorcycle, Kennel can be found playing golf, and travelling.

Bahman Shafa is the CEO and entrepreneurial spirit behind the Focus Group of Companies. With over 30 years experience in real estate acquisition and development, Bahman has grown Focus from a humble street cart into a multi-faceted group specializing in retail, ecommerce, self-storage, flexible workspaces, parking systems, real estate investment, development and property management. Bahman’s passion for real estate has seen him become an architect of emerging neighborhoods, contributing to the culture and history of premier Downtown Denver locations. Bahman’s portfolio has won accolades such as the 2019 Mayor’s Design Award and he serves the Denver community on the Downtown Business Improvement District Board.