Hyde Park, NY 鈥 Laurence
Geller, chairman of the luxury hotel investment and management firm Geller
Capital, delivered the graduation address at the New York campus of
The Culinary Institute of America on March 23. His company has been behind
the acquisition and remodel of the Marriott Georgetown in Washington, DC;
acquisition and strategic re-launch of the Waldorf Astoria Chicago; and
construction and opening of the Chicago Conrad Hilton.
Before launching his current company in 2014, Mr. Geller was
president and CEO of Strategic Hotel Capital, a company he founded in 1997 that
was purchased by Chinese real estate investor Anbang for
$6 billion. His career in the hospitality business also includes senior
leadership positions at Hyatt Development Corporation, Holiday Inn, and Grand
Metropolitan Hotels.
A native of the United Kingdom, Mr. Geller was awarded the
honor of Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth in
2011 for his 鈥渃haritable and humanitarian work internationally.鈥 He has also
been appointed chancellor of his alma mater, the University of West London.
In addition to his business acumen, Mr. Geller is a
dedicated philanthropist, supporting institutions and organizations in both the
U.K. and United States. He is chairman of The Churchill Society and a member of
the CIA鈥檚 Society of Fellows.
The entire CIA commencement ceremony, including Laurence
Geller鈥檚 address to recipients of associate degrees in baking & pastry arts and culinary arts, can be .
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:
Laurence Geller congratulates a graduate during commencement
at The Culinary Institute of America on March 23, 2018. Geller, chairman of the
luxury hotel investment and management firm Geller Capital, was keynote speaker
at the ceremony. (Photo credit: CIA/Phil
Mansfield)
Media Contact:
Jeff Levine
Communications Writers
845-451-1372
Jeff.Levine@culinary.edu
About The Culinary Institute of America:
Founded in 1946, The
Culinary Institute of America is the world鈥檚 premier culinary college.
Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and hospitality, the
independent, not-for-profit CIA offers bachelor鈥檚 degrees in management,
culinary arts, culinary science, and applied food studies, and associate
degrees in either culinary arts or baking and pastry arts. The college also
offers executive education through its Food Business School along with
certificate programs and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its
conferences, leadership initiatives, and consulting services have made the CIA
the think tank of the food industry and its worldwide network of nearly 50,000
alumni includes innovators in every area of the food business. The CIA has locations
in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.
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