Today we’d like to introduce you to Rickey Yarbrough.
Rickey, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Once upon a time in a land far far away lived a wee young lad – I kid. My story is actually pretty unique! I took a job working as an International Trainer for an oil and gas company right after college. I traveled the world, literally, teaching companies how particular products worked. After about two years of nonstop international travel (oil is nowhere glamorous mind you) I decided to wrap up this part of my life and do something completely crazy! I always followed the straight and narrow but not this time.
I decided to accept a position in Sales at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida – Where Dreams Come True! Let me be the first to tell you that making dreams is literally the hardest thing in the world to do. My market was professional sports and affluent. I once did an $8 million 30th birthday party. That’s a DREAM!
After a while there I bounced back and forth between the Gaylord Palms Resort and back to Disney before the Gaylord Texan reached out and offered me the opportunity to move home. After all, Whataburger had been calling my name!
After being home a little less than a year, the Omni Dallas reached out and offered me the chance to WALK TO WORK! Can you imagine? My commute is less than one mile (5 minutes by scooter, 15 minutes on foot – it’s HOT PEOPLE). I accepted the position of Catering Sales Manager focusing on groups over 400 guests primarily in the nonprofit sector.
I get to work with the most incredible nonprofit groups from all over North Texas that really are doing the most good day in and day out for our neighbors. Four years later I have won a couple of awards from Highest Revenue Over Goal to the most recent Catering Sales Manager of the Year for all Omni Hotels & Resorts!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Have you been to Dallas? Is any road smooth?
I would say life has certainly been full of challenges. After taking my HUGE leap of faith to work in Orlando, I was laid off during the Great Recession. It was devastating. Being so young and then getting laid off after moving across the country was terrifying, but also quite humbling at the same time.
it forced me to start at the bottom of the totem pole working 3rd shift overnight Front Desk, then into Convention Services and onward to Catering.
Please tell us about Omni Dallas Hotel.
Omni Hotels & Resorts is a Dallas based organization that is part of TRT holdings. Bob Rowling is the sole owner so it makes for a wonderful organization that doesn’t get caught up in a lot of red tape. We are given freedom to make choices that benefit both the organization and the client.
I specialize in catering events that are attend by over 400 guests. Primarily, my focus is on nonprofit fundraising galas and luncheons. Dallas certainly has no shortage of nonprofits and it is truly remarkable to see so much good being done for our community right here under our roof!
I am proud to come to work each and every day thanks to the truly remarkable people I get to work with day in and day out. The creativity that flows in this building is truly mind blowing.
I am also so proud to work for a company that values its employees and values the community! We are encouraged to give back by volunteering each month and we even have a current promotion: Say Goodnight to Hunger. For every guestroom booked we donate a meal to a family. Hundreds of thousands of meals have been donated already and we are just getting started!
For me personally, every event agreement that is signed allows me to give a day of service back to that organization. It helps me see what the organization is all about and how they benefit our community.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Now this is a loaded question! I have always lived my life by saying I have no regrets. I truly try to take whatever happened, be it good or bad and learn from it – not regret it.
If I had a magic wand to do it all over again, I honestly don’t think I would. Every moment has been a learning one and each experience has helped shape me into the person I am today.
Contact Info:
- Address: 555 South Lamar
Dallas, TX 75201 - Website: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/dallas
- Phone: 214-744-6664
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/1029018507186347/omni-dallas-hotel/?hl=en
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