Jay Franken, CPC
Franchise Partner
Division: Hospitality
Location: Alabama, Mississippi, Ohio
Jay Franken
Franchise Partner, Gecko Hospitality
Hospitality Division | Alabama, Mississippi & Ohio
Phone: 659-207-3949 | Email: jfranken@geckohospitality.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-franken-cpc-60370261/
Credentials: CPC
About Jay
Jay Franken is a hospitality recruiter with Gecko Hospitality serving the Alabama, Mississippi, Ohio market. Jay’s focus: Casino and hotel operations recruiting (Alabama, Mississippi, Ohio). 30+ years of professional experience in operations management and engineering at three iconic Las Vegas establishments: The Plaza Hotel and Casino, The Westgate Hotel and Casino, and Caesars Entertainment.
Background & Experience
30+ years of professional experience in operations management and engineering at three iconic Las Vegas establishments: The Plaza Hotel and Casino, The Westgate Hotel and Casino, and Caesars Entertainment.
Areas of Focus
Positions: General Manager and Assistant General Manager; Director of Operations and Rooms Division leaders; Food & Beverage and Sales leadership; Executive Committee and senior hotel leadership; Multi-property and regional leaders
Markets served: Alabama, Mississippi, Ohio.
How Jay Evaluates Talent
The top things I look for in a hospitality leadership candidate are mentorship and the training of staff for growth and succession planning. I evaluate tenure, and whether there were any breaks in job history outside of their control, the historic service level of the hotels in their past, and their P&L success.
Jay’s Market Perspective
Mississippi and Alabama are relatively new to the idea of using recruiters to fill positions. This does not pertain to all operators; however, the perceived ‘loss of control’ is, I believe, a barrier. The reliance on the ‘post and pray’ practice is extremely hard to break. Both markets are growing, talent is getting harder and harder to find, and it just makes more sense to retain someone to go out and actively search for and approach potential candidates. Ohio is an underutilized market, as there are many hospitality locations and a great deal of talent throughout the entire state.
Advice
For employers: Be prepared to talk through and explain all the details about the property, company, and culture.
For candidates: Please be upfront about the details of your employment, current and past, and why you departed. The industry is very small and everyone knows everyone; clients will talk to others to get information about each other.
In Jay’s Words
“The customer is not always right, but they’re never wrong.”
Testimonials
“Great communication and follow up. I am very happy with the process.”
Reese H. (Successfully placed candidate)
“Communication was good during the entire process. I was able to get a job quickly.”
David R. (Successfully placed candidate)
Jay Franken, CPC
Franchise Partner
Division: Hospitality
Location: Alabama, Mississippi, Ohio
Jay Franken
Franchise Partner, Gecko Hospitality
Hospitality Division | Alabama, Mississippi & Ohio
Phone: 659-207-3949 | Email: jfranken@geckohospitality.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-franken-cpc-60370261/
Credentials: CPC
About Jay
Jay Franken is a hospitality recruiter with Gecko Hospitality serving the Alabama, Mississippi, Ohio market. Jay’s focus: Casino and hotel operations recruiting (Alabama, Mississippi, Ohio). 30+ years of professional experience in operations management and engineering at three iconic Las Vegas establishments: The Plaza Hotel and Casino, The Westgate Hotel and Casino, and Caesars Entertainment.
Background & Experience
30+ years of professional experience in operations management and engineering at three iconic Las Vegas establishments: The Plaza Hotel and Casino, The Westgate Hotel and Casino, and Caesars Entertainment.
Areas of Focus
Positions: General Manager and Assistant General Manager; Director of Operations and Rooms Division leaders; Food & Beverage and Sales leadership; Executive Committee and senior hotel leadership; Multi-property and regional leaders
Markets served: Alabama, Mississippi, Ohio.
How Jay Evaluates Talent
The top things I look for in a hospitality leadership candidate are mentorship and the training of staff for growth and succession planning. I evaluate tenure, and whether there were any breaks in job history outside of their control, the historic service level of the hotels in their past, and their P&L success.
Jay’s Market Perspective
Mississippi and Alabama are relatively new to the idea of using recruiters to fill positions. This does not pertain to all operators; however, the perceived ‘loss of control’ is, I believe, a barrier. The reliance on the ‘post and pray’ practice is extremely hard to break. Both markets are growing, talent is getting harder and harder to find, and it just makes more sense to retain someone to go out and actively search for and approach potential candidates. Ohio is an underutilized market, as there are many hospitality locations and a great deal of talent throughout the entire state.
Advice
For employers: Be prepared to talk through and explain all the details about the property, company, and culture.
For candidates: Please be upfront about the details of your employment, current and past, and why you departed. The industry is very small and everyone knows everyone; clients will talk to others to get information about each other.
In Jay’s Words
“The customer is not always right, but they’re never wrong.”
Testimonials
“Great communication and follow up. I am very happy with the process.”
Reese H. (Successfully placed candidate)
“Communication was good during the entire process. I was able to get a job quickly.”
David R. (Successfully placed candidate)