Class Notes

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, announces the appointment of J. Edward Brea as general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok. Prior to this appointment, Mr Brea spent two years as general manager of Jing An Shangri-La, West Shanghai. An Australian-American national with more than 30 years in the hospitality industry, 14 of which were spent with Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Mr Brea brings to Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok extensive management experience gained in five-star international hotels and resorts in Hawaii, Australia, the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia and Canada. He first joined the Shangri-La family in 2000 at Island Shangri-La Hong Kong as hotel manager before moving through the ranks to senior management positions in various Shangri-La hotels, including Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore as hotel manager, Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns; Traders Hotel, Kuala Lumpur; Shangri-La Hotel, Vancouver; and Kerry Hotel, Pudong, Shanghai, where he was the general manager of these properties. Mr Brea graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Maryville College’s School of Liberal Arts, Tennessee, USA and attended the Executive Management and General Manager Programmes at Cornell University. In his new capacity, Mr Brea will oversee one of the group’s flagship properties in Bangkok. The 7.2-acre lush tropical city resort by the legendary Chao Phraya River has 802 guestrooms and suites, nine restaurants and bars, and a signature spa.

Ed Brea ’80, has been appointed Managing Director at Rosewood Yangon, Myanmar. With more than 30 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Ed has managed prestigious properties in Asia, most recently for Kempinski Hotels, as well as for Hyatt, Shangri-La, and One&Only Resorts. Scheduled to open in Q4 2018, the Rosewood Yangon, housed in a meticulously restored colonial-era building dating back to 1927, is located on the Strand riverfront in the heart of the city’s historic district within walking distance to the city’s most notable attractions and business district

retired as an educator for the Texas Public Schools, after 32 years of service. My last assignment was with Huntington High School, where I served as the Asst. Principal for nine years. I worked as a teacher, coach, bus driver, as well as other duties as assigned. Now I will play golf, ref football, find a low stress part time job, volunteer at non-profits, and sing off key in the choir at church.

Denise Hinds, named today as one of New York City’s LGBTQ+ Power Players!

The write up below is an inspirational testament to the work that Denise leads both inside and outside of GSS.

Information on the full list of LGBTQ+ Power Players can be found at   https://politicsny.com/power-lists/lgbtq-power-players/page/10/

Denise Hinds – Chief Program Officer for Youth and Family Well-Being

Good Shepherd Services

Denise Hinds (she/her) is the chief program officer for youth and family well-being at Good Shepherd Services. In 35 years at Good Shepherd Services, she has been instrumental in developing innovative programs. For 10 years, Denise has led the LGBTQ workgroup in creating a culture of awareness, acceptance, and celebration. Denise works to ensure Good Shepherd is a welcoming place for all within the LGBTQ community. Denise is also on the board of Family Equality, a national organization championing the rights and needs of LGBTQ people to have families. She is the board chair of the Newark LGBTQ Community Center.

What is your favorite Pride Month event or celebration?

My favorite Pride month event is the DYKE March!! It’s one of the most exhilarating and uplifting events I participate in during Pride and one that energizes me as I continue on in this work. I especially love marching with other LGBTQIA+ people in an act of resistance rather than celebration as we continue to fight for the rights of LGBTQIA people everywhere. To me it’s a real demonstration of the strength and resilience of the community I love so much!!

What LGBTQ+ icons or activists have inspired you?

I am most inspired daily by the life of icon Audre Lorde. Since I first read her work in my thirties she has been a guiding force and inspiration in my life. Sharing similar backgrounds being children of Caribbean parents and growing up in NYC made it easy for me to identify with her, but the power of her words and the way she lived her life unapologetically black and queer is the main thing that inspires me. She talked about learning to be unafraid to speak her truth, which helped me to find my own voice in the world.

What can people and corporations do to support the LGBTQ+ community year-round, not just during Pride Month?

Everyone has a part to play. Our community is in a fight for our lives now more than ever. There seem to be forces working to ensure that LGBTQIA+ rights are stripped away. We need everyone to help us fight against this type of erasure. We need to make sure our lives and the lives of all within our LGBTQIA spectrum matter, and we need our allies and our friends more than ever to help us do that. It’s about speaking up and speaking out when- and wherever possible, not just waving a flag or wearing a rainbow shirt.

How can businesses create more inclusive environments for their employees and patrons?

Businesses can make environments more inclusive by making sure that everyone feels welcome. Ensuring that everyone can see themselves in their branding is one way. From the moment you walk in the door, it can be the very subtle things that help employees and patrons know this is a welcoming and safe space. Encouraging the use of pronouns sends a very important message to everyone that the way they identify themselves matters and is respected.

Following a national search, the Limestone College Athletics Department introduced Tony Ierulli, formerly the defensive ends coach at Carson-Newman University, as the program’s third head football coach during a press conference at the Stephenson Dining Hall & Conference Center on Friday, February 10. See more: http://wspa.com/2018/02/16/limestone-names-tony-ierulli-as-head-football-coach/

After 34 years in public education, Steve Serotte, has retired. As a teacher, head football coach, then an assistant principal, Steve began his career as a teacher in Miami, FL. In the mid 80’s Steve transitioned to Louisville, KY where he continued to teach, became a head football coach then earned a principal’s certificate from the University of Louisville. He then completed his career as an assistant principal for the school district in Louisville, KY.