Name: Jill Nghiem
Facebook: @theleokenthotel
Instagram: @theleokent
Website: www.leokenthotel.com
Age: 39
Title: General Manager
Married/Single: Married
Kids: One son, Remy – 6 years old
City you live in: Tucson, AZ
A typical day in my life includes… Working in the hotel, enjoying my family and three dogs, reading/listening to books, and trying not to step on legos that my son leaves laying around!
I was born… in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, alongside my twin brother Stephen! He is a few minutes older than me!
My favorite thing about Arizona… is sitting outside at 10:00pm when it is still 95 degrees out, and listening to the quiet. And Eegees.
I’m listening to… Happy Place by Emily Henry, Taylor Swift, and Post Malone – I’m all over the place.
My family… keeps me moving forward, keeps me in line, and I could never be successful without them.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be… Matthew McConaughy.. Do I need to say more?
One thing I cannot live without… My airpods & my Owala water bottle! Never leave home without either of these.
When I was younger, I wanted to be… A dentist! I completed two years of a chemistry degree before deciding it was not for me!
I’m inspired by… my team. They continue to make me be better. I show up for them, to help them grow. To help them support their families and dreams. Even on days I might not want to put a smile on, they give me a reason to.
The one person who motivates me is… Of course, my son. He loves asking about the hotel, and seeing what I’m doing. My husband would be a close second. He made a sacrifice to stay at home with our son, and working hard allows them to be home together.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be… Make air travel faster. I dislike sitting on a plane for long periods of time.
The perfect day would be… A big bowl of pasta, a large glass of prosecco, somewhere warm with an ocean, and just relaxing with my family.
My first job was… Scooping ice cream at Friendly’s Restaurant! I started when I was 16 and that was when I first learned all about Hospitality.
My favorite escape… Listening to audiobooks – I’m on track to listen/read 90 books this year. That is the goal.
My life… is better than I could have imagined!
I’m currently working on… learning Spanish and French! My son wants to learn French so we are doing that together, and I’m doing Spanish on my own.
Always… return your shopping cart to the cart corral.
Never… go to the grocery store hungry.
Favorite Quote… “ If you only shine light on your flaws, all your perfects will dim.” – Colleen Hoover
Biggest Dream… Right now, finding the time to take my son to Disneyland Paris!
My Pet Peeve(s)… People listening to videos/music in public without headphones.. and when people chew ice.
Bio-on yourself/company: As general manager at The Leo Kent, Tucson, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, Jill Nghiem is responsible for the successful execution of strategic goals and management of teams ensuring performance in alignment with those goals for hotels. Her passion for travel and hospitality matched with her robust academic and industry experience is what sets her apart. Nghiem first obtained a Bachelor of Science in tourism and hospitality management from Temple University, then acquired real-world experience as a manager-in-training for the Ritz Carlton. This role evolved into her traveling around the country to work at various Ritz Carlton properties in different hospitality roles. From Half Moon Bay to Marina Del Rey and Bachelor Gulch, she finally landed in Tucson as Assistant General Manager and Food and Beverage Director for the Tucson Marriott, University Park. Nghiem has been a loyal Marriott employee since, leading the University Park hotel through a 15 million dollar renovation, pandemic, rebuilding of a team, and much more. Utilizing her knowledge gained from the past decade, Nghiem is working to create the best guest experience possible at The Leo Kent in Tucson, and with Marriott, to create the best Tribute property in the portfolio.
