Sam Veneziano '75
As one of the first 100 male students at the 'Hurst and one of the first graduates of the Hotel Restaurant Management program, Sam secured a choice career opportunity with Marriott International.
After five years with Marriott and Houlihans, he returned to his alma mater as an HRIM faculty member from 1981 to 1985. He also employed many Mercyhurst students in his local restaurant, Barnie's, his off-premise catering business. He has continued to serve as mentor to those students and to many others who, with his help, have begun careers at Marriott International.
When he left Mercyhurst, Sam rejoined Marriott for the product introduction of Courtyard by Marriott, and was instrumental in helping to grow the chain from seven test hotels to more than 700 industry premier-standard properties in the United States, Europe and Asia. Today he is Vice President of Owner and Franchise Relations for seven Marriott brands, including Marriott, Courtyard and Renaissance.
Sam served as president of the Mercyhurst HRIM Advisory Board for three years, working to bring current business realities to the program and to develop strong career paths for today's graduates. He is a frequent guest speaker at the Hotel Management School of the College of Charleston, Charleston, S.C.
Sam personified the professionalism and dynamic attitude that is at the heart of the Mercyhurst College motto: Carpe Diem. He has seized the challenges and opportunities of the career for which Mercyhurst prepared him and now shares those challenges with fellow Lakers.
Sam and his wife, Donna, have two daughters, Gina, who is an event planner with Destination, USAHosts, and Victoria, who is a middle school math teacher.