John Ortner

John Ortner has a diverse and extensive work experience spanning over several decades. John is the Founder and Chief Executive of First Contact, an independent real estate, facilities, and workplace specialist company. John also served as the Managing Director and Founder of Manhattan Group Recruitment, where they specialized in talent sourcing for Hospitality clients. In addition, John held various managerial roles in renowned hotels and resorts, such as The Hotel Windsor, InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, The Sherwood Taipei, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, The Connaught, Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten, and Hotel Des Bergues. Throughout their career, they focused on implementing customer service programs, improving customer experience, and achieving industry recognition for excellence.

John Ortner's education history is as follows:

John Ortner obtained a GAICD degree in Director duties, Corporate Governance, Risk & Strategy from the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2019. Prior to that, they earned a DBA degree in Doctor of Business Administration from Swinburne University of Technology between 2001 and 2007. In 2001, they also completed an MBA degree in Business Administration from Monash Business School, as well as a CMA (Certified Management Accountant) degree from the Institute of Certified Management Accountants, Australia. In 1997, they gained the CRDE (Certified Rooms Division Executive) certification from AHLEI - American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. Before that, they obtained an Advanced Diploma in Hotel Management from Cornell University in 1990 and from Hotel School, Bad Gleichenberg in 1984. Additionally, John Ortner has obtained several certifications including Fellow Certified Management Accountant (FCMA) from the Institute of Certified Management Accountants, Australia in 2022, Certified Management Accountant (CMA) in 2001 from the same institution, and Certified Rooms Division Executive from American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute in 1996.