MARK KULEKCI

Senior Vice President Operations at Blue Sky Hospitality Solutions
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Contact Information
us****@****om
(386) 825-5501
Location
New York City Metropolitan Area
Languages
  • English -
  • German -
  • French -
  • Spanish -
  • Italian -

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Mark is a detail oriented manager and he knows all aspects of his position. He is a very loyal and dedicated person"

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Experience

    • United States
    • Hospitality
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Senior Vice President Operations
      • May 2022 - Present

      Overseeing a portfolio of multiple hotel brands, including Autograph Collection by Marriott and Hilton full service and focus service hotels with $100MM+ in total revenues. Also responsible for hotel acquisitions, due diligence, asset management and development to help with the company growthSuccessfully completed the acquisition of the Autograph Collection/RI Weehawken NJ with 372 keys from underwriting process and due diligence to closing at $97MMPerformed the asset management duties for those 2 assets working with the Highgate Management CompanyAlso completed the acquisition of the Embassy Suites Baton Rouge and transitioned the hotel from Aimbridge to BlueSky.Completed multiple hotel underwriting working with the sellers, their brokers, attorneys, buyer groups and the management companiesImproved the operations of the assigned portfolio of the 55 hotels for the Blue Sky Hospitality Solutions by setting up SOPs, recruiting the experienced regional team members and hotel general managers while guiding them to achieve successful resultsHelped the company increase revenues by 45MM with positioning the hotels properly with strong revenue management strategies.Managed the brand compliance, PIP and capex process for the portfolio of the hotels while improving the operational efficiency Show less

    • General Manager
      • Jun 2020 - May 2022

      •Managed the 615-room Long Island Marriott with 26,000 square feet meeting space and $43M+ Pre-Covid-19 revenues• Landed the US Open Tennis Group business with a 100% occupancy during August-September 2020 generating close to $4M in revenues• Repositioned the hotel with an effective revenue strategy resulting in 20% RevPar increase compared to the first half of the year • Directly involved in the sales activities to generate revenues despite the challenging times of the pandemic• Landed multiple airline crew business valued at 3 million USD in revenues with more in the pipeline• Improved the GSS scores by 25% in a short amount of time by creating a warm service culture and engaging all employees• Improved the Union relations by having open communication and ensuring employee satisfaction• Implemented a very effective labor and expense control which increased the GOP by 12% compared to pre-pandemic period•Promoted to the Senior Vice President of Operations positions within the Blue Sky Hospitality Solutions company Show less

    • United States
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • General Manager
      • Sep 2018 - May 2020

      Managed the largest Element by Westin in Times Square-NY, a 411-room, 40-story hotel with a %96 year-round occupancy and $33M annual revenue • Achieved a 100.6% occupancy index in a very competitive New York City market by actively involving in sales and marketing • Improved the RevPar index by actively involving in revenue management • Improved the GOP by 15% by implementing a strong cost containment system to lower labor and expenses. • Achieved the highest GSS scores of the last 5 years with 48% improvement year over year by establishing a great service culture • Built a strong and stabilized team while setting attainable goals with hands on support to ensure their success • Improved the quality of the food and beverage as well as the service which increased the guest satisfaction • Helped with the transition from Starwood to Marriott conversion while ensuring compliance with the brand standards • Achieved the highest employee survey results of the 3 years by focusing on the employee motivation and recognition. • Successfully completed the renovation and capex projects improving the asset condition • Passed the brand QA inspection and the internal audit due to brand training and SOP compliance check Show less

    • Belgium
    • Hospitality
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • General Manager
      • Jun 2017 - Sep 2018

      Managed the 385-room Radisson Hotel in JFK market successfully with more than $22 million in annual revenues and 90% occupancy • Increased the RevPar index by 10% in a very competitive market by managing the rates daily and weekly • Exceeded the previous year's revenues by over $1 Million dollars by actively participating in sales and marketing activities • Maximized the hotel profitability with a declining budget, labor and expense control system • Improved the guest satisfaction scores by 40% by creating a warm service culture, empowering and motivating the staff to deliver legendary service to the hotel guests on a consistent basis • Built strong network in the NY market that helped me increase revenues and exceed the sales goals • Increased the June 2017-June 2018 rolling Medallia NPS Guest Satisfaction scores by 30% compared to the previous period • Passed the Radisson QA with increased overall score of 91.0% compared to the previous period • Achieved a YTD May 2018 RevPar of $132.4, exceeding the budgeted RevPar of $127.9 by $4.5 • Achieved a YTD total actual revenue of $8,638,506 ending May 31st, 2018, exceeding the budgeted YTD revenues of $8,330,444 by $308,062 and exceeding the same period last year by $487,174 • Achieved a YTD total actual GOP of $2,611,763 ending May 31st, 2018, exceeding the budgeted GOP of $2,169,324 by $442,440 and same period last year by $356,368, a flow through of 143.6% and 73.2% respectively. • Created a peaceful and conflict-free work environment with the union delegates and union employees as well as the non-union employees which resulted in more productivity and better morale, thus more revenues and profitability • Built a stronger management team by effective recruiting practices and guiding them for success despite the union and product challenges • Negotiated contracts like laundry equipment repairs, snow plowing and landscaping which resulted in cost savings. Show less

  • Allied Group of Companies
    • Caribbean and Miami, Florida-USA
    • GM/Area GM-Hotels / President-Solaris Energy
      • Oct 2014 - May 2017

      Responsible for overseeing the operations of the base hotel while providing support for the 3 additional hotels of the company in the Caribbean region. • Fixed the operational issues, trained the staff and repositioned the hotel, gained market share against the Hyatt Regency and the Hilton within the first 6 months. • Increased the revenues by 35% and profit 33% within the first 8 months resulting in a revenue increase of $800K • Increased the RevPar index by 77% within the first 8 months compared to the previous year • Improved the service culture, placing the Radisson Hotel Trinidad on number 1 rank out of 207 Radissons Worldwide in Guest Satisfaction Score increase year-to-date year over year. • Created SOPs and employee handbook for the hotels • Visited the other 3 hotels of the company to ensure quality assurance and provided guidance • Recruited GMs and filled key management positions for the company’s hotels Promoted to the Solaris President position by the same ownership after the successful management of the hotels. • Successfully managed the Solaris Global Energy group international business units to generate solar projects using my international network • Made sale call visits to Brazil, Honduras, Grenada, Trinidad, Guyana, Antigua and Barbados to explore large project and joint venture opportunities • Achieved the prelim meeting and proposal stage with the government of Guyana contacts for a $25M solar project • Participated in trade shows, recruiting, implementing training and development across the organization • Leading and coordinating solar and alternate energy bids for projects to successful completion • Developing relationships with suppliers and contractors for JV or consortium partnership Show less

  • TransOcean Trading
    • New York, USA
    • Managing Partner
      • Dec 2013 - Nov 2014

      Export and import of goods in international markets including USA, Canada, Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Researched and explored new markets for trading variety of goods and commodities *Met with government officials in the Caribbean to discuss business opportunities and concessions for the import and export of good in demand. Export and import of goods in international markets including USA, Canada, Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Researched and explored new markets for trading variety of goods and commodities *Met with government officials in the Caribbean to discuss business opportunities and concessions for the import and export of good in demand.

    • Area General Manager
      • Jan 2010 - Dec 2013

      Successfully managed the Princess Hotel Guyana while supporting the 7 other hotels in the Caribbean and South America. • Increased the occupancy from 20% to 65% within the first 6 months with proactive sales and marketing strategies for the base hotel • Participated in trade shows in Brazil, Jamaica, Barbados, England, Canada and USA and generated new business. • Actively participated in sales and marketing activities which resulted in record revenue and profit increase • Organized large events such as concerts, boxing and fashion shows with up to 4,000 attendees. • Provided accommodations for the presidents of the countries including Guyana, Argentine, Venezuela, Columbia. • Successfully repositioned the properties to increase the profitability and to gain bigger market share • Successfully opened new hotels in Suriname and set up SOPs for the new and existing hotels with focus on service Show less

    • United States
    • Hospitality
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Area General Manager
      • Jan 2009 - Jan 2010

      Oversaw the Crowne Plaza Hotel Antalya along with the two new hotels opening in the area • Successfully completed the remaining construction work of the Crowne Plaza Antalya and opened it for business • Built and trained a professional team to meet the IHG brand standards • Successfully established the Standard Operating Procedures and oversaw the operations of the hotel • Actively involved in the sales and marketing activities, TV appearances, internet, newspaper and other media activities that helped the hotel establish a strong presence in the market generating occupancy and revenues • Signed contracts with the tour operators and built a strong business partnership with the key players in the market and achieved a 52% occupancy within the three months of the opening date. Show less

    • United States
    • Hospitality
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • General Manager
      • Jan 2007 - Jan 2009

      • Successfully converted the Wyndham to Crowne Plaza after completing a multimillion dollar renovation • Achieved the revenue and GOP budget numbers despite the renovation and successfully positioned the property in the market • Generated revenues by increasing the visibility in the local market, TPI websites, GDS booking channels and as well as the brand website • Completed various capital expenditure and PIP projects that improved the asset quality. • Implemented labor control system through staffing guidelines and declining budget system that helped increased the profit margins. • Improved the guest satisfaction scores by improving cleanliness, condition and by building a strong service culture in a very challenging labor market. • Proactively involved in Conventions and Visitors Bureau, Hotel Association meetings and other community events to help promote the hotel Show less

    • United States
    • Hospitality
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • General Manager
      • Aug 2005 - Jan 2007

      • Managed rates effectively resulting in a 120% Rev Par index, representing 12% increase. • Provided a hands-on management and effective leadership style in managing 150 employees • Actively participated in sales effort adding a large negotiated account with 6,000 room nights • Improved the Guest Satisfaction Scores from 58 to 88 in just three months and the hotel got awarded to be the winner of "Recognized as a Rewards Member" by Marriott Hotels and Resorts in Northeastern Region • Achieved a score of 90 in Marriott Franchise Audit, highest score property achieved in 5 years • Increased the revenues and profit by 20% delivering the flow through numbers on the P&L • Completed numerous renovation projects totaling $300K that improved the asset quality Show less

    • Belgium
    • Hospitality
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • General Manager
      • Jul 2004 - Jul 2005

      RADISSON MACARTHUR HOTEL (188 rooms), Holtsville, New York • Successfully managed the hotel with 40% increase in RevPar compared to budget • Exceeded the company's 2004 and the first quarter of 2005 budget goals, received the "All Time Blue Chip Award" • Achieved to have the 3rd highest guest satisfaction score in the company • Increased the house profit by 25% by managing cost in every department along with a solid declining budget system • Actively participated in sales calls providing an affective sales leadership that made the property top 3rd best hotel in the company in RevPar index increase. HOLIDAY INN CORAL GABLES (168 rooms), Miami, Florida • Successfully managed the hotel with very strong financial and operational results • Consistently exceeded the RevPar goals making the hotel one of the most successful hotel in the Remington portfolio • Achieved the revenue and profit budget for the year 2004 along with a 96% year around occupancy • Transferred and promoted to Radisson MacArthur Hotel in New York due to the sale of the hotel Show less

    • Hospitality
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • General Manager
      • Aug 1999 - Jul 2004

      HILTON SIOUX CITY, Sioux City, Iowa Lodgian Hotels * Supported the sales effort which resulted in two new contract accounts with Union Pacific bringing 5,000 room nights and Northwest Airlink with 1,000 rooms a year• Saved the company close to million dollars with an alternative solution to the boiler problem • Improved the house profit margins due to the strong expense control and declining budget system * Managed the Hilton Sioux City under the new GF Management, who took over the hotel as of January 2003 • Increased the REVPAR index by 20% within the first three months SHERATON FOUR POINTS (157 rooms), Des Moines, Iowa • Maximized the revenues by signing up for priceline.com, hotwire.com, hotels.com, etc. SHERATON FOUR POINTS (189 rooms), Niagara Falls, New York • Increased the revenues by 58 % and house profit by 151 % in year 2000 compared to 1999. • Achieved the highest occupancy (25.5%) and RevPar (51.4%) increase in the company • The property received 2 plaques in year 2000 from Starwood Hotels for having the superior guest satisfaction scores among Four Points Hotels. • Involved in the sales and marketing efforts to promote the hotel in the Toronto market, as well as the feeder markets such as Ohio, Pittsburgh, New York • Involved in the Niagara Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau and Hotel Association meetings to help improve the business and tourism activities in Niagara Falls New York. HOLIDAY INN SELECT STRONGSVILLE (304 rooms), Strongsville, Ohio • Responsible for overseeing the operations of the 304-room hotel in the absence of the general manager with the responsibility of profit and loss statements and forecasting. • Held weekly yield management meetings to maximize revenues using The Holidex, Encore and Hiro software. • Held Associate Satisfaction Committee meetings that resulted in having the top 4th associate satisfaction scores among the company's 127 hotels Show less

    • Hotel Management Positions
      • 1985 - 1999

      Held management positions in Rooms, F&B and Sales in upscale city hotels and all inclusive 5-star resorts Held management positions in Rooms, F&B and Sales in upscale city hotels and all inclusive 5-star resorts

Education

  • Cornell University
    Certificate, Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management
    2021 - 2021
  • Harvard University
    Certificate, Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles
    2021 - 2021
  • Florida International University
    Masters of Science, Hotel and Foodservice Management
    1995 - 1997
  • Cukurova University
    Bachelor of Science, Tourism and Hotel Management
    1985 - 1991

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