HVS Executive Search welcomes Michael S. Kogen

Keith Kefgen, President of HVS Executive Search and Chairman and Co-Founder of hospitalitycareernet.com (www.hospitalitycareernet.com), has announced the appointment of Michael S. Kogen as Vice President of the premier executive search and human resource consulting firm for the lodging, gaming, and restaurant industries. In his new role, Kogen will be responsible for hotel consulting with companies and cruise lines. In addition, Kefgen will spearhead the firm's 20 20 Skills™ initiative (www.2020skills.com), an Internet-based assessment tool specifically designed for service-industry professionals.

Kogen comes to HVS from Hospitality International Executive Search of New York City, where he served as Vice President responsible for the Hotel Division. Prior to his time there, he served as General Manager of the Mansfield Hotel, also in New York, an award-winning property in the Boutique Hotel Group portfolio. Kogen's management experience also includes positions with The Plaza Hotel of New York and The Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston.

"Michael brings with him a considerable amount of operational and executive search experience," said Keith Kefgen. "He is a great addition to our staff."

A graduate of Cornell's School of Hotel Administration, Kogen is affiliated with several professional associations, including the American Hotel and Lodging Association; the Association of Executives Search Consultants; the Cornell Hotel Society; the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International; the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc.; Meeting Professionals International; the New York State Restaurant Association; and The James Beard Foundation.

Outside of the office, Michael is an avid sailor and enjoys spending time at his family home on Martha's Vineyard.

HVS Executive Search is the nation's leading retained executive search firm specializing in the hospitality industry. Core competencies of the firm also include compensation design and corporate governance consulting. In addition, HVS Executive Search launched www.hospitalitycareernet.com, the most comprehensive recruiting site for hospitality professionals on the Internet.

SOURCE: HVS Executive Search