From hotel floors
to people strategy.

I’m Karl Cieslak. My career has centered on the people behind a hotel’s guest experience: the associates doing the work, the managers supporting them, and the leaders responsible for the operation.

I learned the business by running it.

My hotel career began in front-desk and supervisory roles and progressed through department leadership, general management, and IHG corporate task-force assignments. That experience taught me how staffing, scheduling, coaching, and clear expectations affect both the team and the guest experience.

Human resources with an operational perspective.

From May 2022 through May 2024, I led HR across Epicurean Hotel Tampa and Fenway Hotel Dunedin, two full-service Marriott Autograph Collection hotels managed by Mainsail Lodging & Development. Together, the properties represented approximately 300 associates. I served on both property Executive Committees and was promoted to Senior HR Manager in April 2023.

My responsibilities included employee relations and workplace investigations, recruiting, manager onboarding, benefits and leave administration, payroll, performance conversations, and terminations. I trained managers on investigations, progressive discipline, harassment prevention, and consistent application of policy and brand standards.

I earned performance bonuses in both years by meeting or exceeding HR department goals, including employee engagement and training completion. At the end of my tenure in May 2024, Epicurean and Fenway ranked 39th and 47th, respectively, among Autograph Collection hotels for OSAT and overall performance.

I also directed Workday HCM implementation activities and built a SharePoint HR records-management model adopted company-wide.

Business and community.

I’m a co-owner of JBM Photo Inc., supporting business planning, scheduling, marketing, administration, and the client experience. Since May 2024, my activities have also included community volunteer leadership and preparation for the SHRM-CP examination, scheduled for January 2027.

I host Beyond the Ballot, a podcast exploring politics, policy, and the decisions that affect everyday life.

The next chapter.

I’m pursuing property HR and People Support leadership opportunities in Tampa Bay. I bring the perspective of a former hotel operator, experience supporting full-service hotel teams, and a practical approach to coaching managers and supporting associates.