HUMBLE YET INTENSE , THIS PENINSULA HOTELS MANAGING DIRECTOR AND REGIONAL VP LOVES THE DAILY VIBE OF HER HOTELS AND WALKS THE WALK WHILE PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF GREAT LUXURY HOTELIERS .
By JEFF WEINSTEIN , EDITOR IN CHIEF
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Among many other things , it is clear that Maria Zec is loyal , trustworthy , humble , collaborative , meticulous and goaloriented – many of the traits and drive a great hotelier needs to succeed .
There is no sitting on high in an office for this hands-on , highly communicative leader . “ I ’ m a participative GM – the one that sets the tone for the entire hotel and not one that sits in the office and points ,” explains the understated leader who is also known as being demanding but fair as she leads The Peninsula Chicago . “ You have to show people what they need to do and lead by example .”
It is that simple and honest approach that has earned her the respect of her team . It is also why no one is surprised to see Zec help clean tables , in the kitchen working with room service , or even in a guest room to help turn a room . “ People respect that , and I don ’ t do it to try to earn their respect ,” Zec says matter of factly . “ I do it because they need help and I ’ m there to help get the job done .”
That determination , along with a natural gift to manage and develop people , has guided Zec for the past 20 years as she carries on in her greatest and longest role as managing director of The Peninsula Chicago , which since 2007 has included regional vice president for the Hong Kong-based luxury brand hotels in New York City and at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel-By-The-Sea , California . Zec also sits on the group management board of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels , the organization ’ s management and operations decisionmaking authority .
“ Maria walks through her hotels with the eye of the guest ,” says Richard Cotter , who hired her in 1994 at The New York Palace and has remained a mentor ever since . “ She is always in the moment . If something is out of place or just not right , it gets fixed immediately . She embodies loyalty with an aura of not just for me , not just for you , but for all we encounter – a trait that has enabled her to rise to the top of the industry and maintain the Peninsula hotel as an icon of luxury . Others go to school by her example . She is simply the best .”
It is testimonials like that , along with a sterling reputation and a career filled with accolades , that led her peers to choose the Chicago-area native as HOTELS 2022 Independent Hotelier of the World .
CAREER TRACK Zec came from somewhat humble beginnings in Whiting , Indiana , about 30 minutes south of downtown Chicago . She learned early on the importance of hard work , even working as a short-order cook by age 16 .
After graduating from Purdue University , starting a career in retail and losing her mother at an all too early age , Zec took stock and decided to change direction . It was then that iconic hotelier Eric Long hired her at the Hilton & Towers in Chicago , and despite an awful first six
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