Meet Ed Brogan
Hyatt Arlington's new general manager talks about his job and life outside of work
In September, Ed Brogan became the new general manager of Hyatt Arlington, one of Rosslyn's finest hotels. We asked this veteran of the hospitality industry what his goals are for the coming year, what he likes best about his work and what he does for fun.
Rosslyn: How did you get your start in the hospitality industry?
Ed Brogan: I studied Hospitality Management at Penn State University. To be honest, I think I chose this major because I wanted to do something business-related that didn’t require me to take Chemistry! My first job was as a bellman at the Valley Forge Hilton. It was a great experience that allowed me to learn the hospitality business from the ground up.
R: What qualities do you think make someone a good general manager?
EB: To me, being a good GM means having the wisdom, courage and compassion to lead others with authenticity, humility and service.
R: How many people report to you?
EB: I am fortunate to come to work each day with a great professional team that inspires me to be my best. I’m responsible for about 125 people. By now, I have met just about all of them. We have some dedicated employees who have been here 30+ years. They take great care of our customers and I have a tremendous amount of respect for the jobs that they do each and every day.
R: What do you like about your work?
EB: I love being in a job where every day is different. I’ve always really enjoyed watching my employees learn and grow. It’s one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. Several years ago, I managed two phenomenal employees, a food and beverage director and a director of rooms at a hotel in D.C. Today, both are successful GMs: One is in Pittsburgh and the other is in Atlanta. I oversaw their development but I learned a lot from them as well. Managing employees is always a two-way benefit.
R: What are some of your goals for Hyatt Arlington?
EB: My goals align with Hyatt's goals to become the preferred hospitality brand that is loved by colleagues, guests, owners, operators and community members. The Hyatt Arlington has a great team in place. We continue to look for new ways to provide our guests and customers with unique, memorable experiences while staying in the hotel or spending time at cityhouse restaurant or our banquet facilities.
R: What do you do when you’re not at work?
EB: My family is very important. I’ve been married for 26 years. I’m very proud of my three children and
spend a lot of my free time watching them play sports. I also like to run and enjoy being outdoors.
More info: Hyatt Arlington
Related Destinations: cityhouse, Hyatt Arlington, Key Bridge Terrace