Management Team

Tod R. Chambers

Tod R. Chambers is general manager of The Roosevelt New Orleans.

With nearly two decades of hospitality industry experience, Chambers joined the Hilton family in 1992 as director of sales and marketing for the Hilton Tampa and held the same position with the Doubletree Guest Suites Ft. Lauderdale and the Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh before being promoted to assistant general manager of the latter property in 2000.

Chambers, a Boston native, received a bachelor’s degree in leisure studies with a minor in psychology from Boston University and a master’s degree in business administration from Indiana University. He also completed the IMD Commercial Behavior Program in Lausanne, Switzerland.

R. Brink Grush

R. Brink Grush is director of sales and marketing at The Roosevelt New Orleans.

A leader in the hospitality industry for 35 years, Grush most recently served as the director of sales at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, a position he held since 2004. He began his career in the hotel industry at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans. Prior to that, he held sales positions at The Fairmont Hotel, once again The Roosevelt, and at various Hyatt Regency locations across the country, including New Orleans, Houston and Tampa.

A New Orleans native, Grush earned a degree in business administration from Southeastern Louisiana University. He is an active member of the Professional Convention Management Association and Meeting Professionals International.

Jeff Dennison

Jeff Dennison is director of historic restoration and engineering for The Roosevelt New Orleans and plays an important role in restoring and maintaining the historic property’s architectural detail along with its physical and mechanical infrastructure.

A 27-year hospitality industry veteran, Dennison’s experience includes positions at The Fairmont Hotel in New Orleans, Hyatt Hotels and Adam’s Mark Hotels.

The Michigan native attended Western Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University, where he studied industrial education.

Melissa Kariker

Melissa Kariker is director of human resources for The Roosevelt New Orleans.

She most recently served as regional human resources manager for the Hilton Hotels Corporation in New Orleans.

The 10-year hospitality industry veteran began her career in 1999 with Hospitality Enterprises in New Orleans.

Kariker earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mississippi State University. She is a member of the Hotel and Lodging Association of New Orleans and the Society for Human Resource Management.

Earl Lizana

Earl Lizana has been hired as the director of catering for The Roosevelt New Orleans, which will be reopened as a Waldorf=Astoria Collection hotel in June 2009.

He most recently served as the director of catering and conference services for the Westin New Orleans Canal Place, a position he held for 24 years.

The New Orleans native earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of New Orleans.

In his new position, Lizana will be responsible for the planning and promotion of the catering business for the hotel. He will report to Tod Chambers, general manager of The Roosevelt New Orleans.

Terry Treuting

Terry Treuting has been hired as director of events for The Roosevelt New Orleans, which will be reopened as a Waldorf=Astoria Collection hotel in June 2009.

She most recently served as senior meetings and special events manager for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New Orleans. The 17-year hospitality industry professional began her career in 1992 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in group sales. Later, Treuting was named director of conference services at the Chateau Sonesta Hotel.

The New Orleans native attended Louisiana State University, where she studied business. In her new position, Treuting will coordinate and serve all corporate and association groups in The Roosevelt New Orleans.

Laura Vocino

Laura Vocino is director of food and beverage for The Roosevelt New Orleans.

She most recently served as the director of food and beverage for the Drake Hotel in Chicago.

The 16-year hospitality industry veteran began her career in 1993 with Starwood Hotels and Resorts in Chicago.

Vocino earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The American University. She also completed an intensive Italian language and grammar program at the Universita Italiana Per Stranieri in Perugia, Italy.