Scott Bear (2017)

General Manager, Novotel Geelong

“I entered hospitality with the sole purpose of improving the lives of the people I came into contact with every day, colleague or guest. My passion for allowing people to enjoy themselves and generate value out of money spent exceeds all others and I pride myself on delivering that for everyone who enters the property I am working in. I aim to create a learning environment amongst my team where everyone feels inspired and appreciated in what they do. Hotel facilities, amenities, brand status and location may make a hotel great but it is the people that represent those things and provide that service that truly separate the property from good and exceptional."

After graduating in 2017, Scott continued his employment at Park Hyatt Sydney and was chosen to take part in the Corporate Leadership Program where he developed over a 12 month program into becoming a Team Leader. Throughout the following two years, Scott moved into Assistant Manager and then Assistant Guest Services Manager at the hotel. When COVID struck in 2020, Scott was involved with the skeleton staff that continued on and towards late 2020, stepped in as acting Assistant Front Office Manager.

In February 2021, Scott moved over to Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and assumed the role of Front Office Manager. Scott has been a passionate advocate for the school and enjoys coming back to speak with current students and talking about his experiences to prepare them for life after studies. Scott has also spoken previously in the BMIHMS Leadership Speaker Series on the topic of "The Next Generation of Hotel Leaders" to share his insights on the future of the industry. In August 2022, Scott was provided with the opportunity of taking his first General Manager role at the Mercure Sydney Manly Warringah which is a part of the Accor/Salter Brothers Portfolio.

Scott commenced his current role in 2025 and is embracing the opportunities and challenges that come with a new property, new city and state, and overseeing a refurbishment as well.

Jessica James (2012) Vice Chair

General Manager, QT Canberra

Jessica had the privilege of attending both AIHS and BMIHMS and completed her double degree in 2012. For the last decade Jessica has had an exciting and rapid career journey with Accor. Jessica spent a number of years in leadership roles in hotel operations as part of the Accor Executive Leadership Program. Her stellar performance led to her appointment as General Manager of ibis Styles Mount Isa in 2018, making her one of the youngest General Managers in the history of our Alumni.

Jessica has always embraced the opportunities presented to her and used each experience to further develop her leadership skills.

The majority of Jessica’s career has been spent in regional locations in Australia and in the last decade she has lived in Townsville, Darwin, Brisbane, Mount Isa, Palm Cove and Canberra working across many of Accor’s diverse brands.

Her recent role in Singapore involved managing two hotels and triple the number of hotels rooms. Jessica relished this challenge and immersed herself in the local culture. She then returned to Canberra to take up the exciting role of General Manager of the iconic QT Canberra.

Jessica is passionate about developing and mentoring future leaders, inclusion and diversity and giving back to the local community that she is working in.

Ben Salter (Treasurer) (1995)

Director of Distribution and Systems,
Trilogy Hotels, Sydney

Ben graduated BMIHMS in 1995 and started his career cleaning rooms and waiting tables.

He has stayed in the industry since graduating working through 15 different hotels and HQ roles.

Resident in Sydney he worked for Accor as Director of Distribution in the Pacific before moving to his current role as Director of Distribution and Systems with Trilogy Hotels, Sydney.

Craig Coughlin (1995)

Chief Executive Officer,
LUXXE Outsourced Hotel Services, Melbourne

Craig joined LUXXE in 2015 with a clear vision of where he wanted to take LUXXE to; so much so that in 2017 he executed a management buyout and purchased the business from the Beddison Group. He manages all aspects of business development and provides support to the operational leadership team from our Melbourne office.

Having graduated Dux from the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School, and worked as a hospitality professional since 1990, Craig brings with him a wealth of knowledge from the hotel and outsourcing industries. Some of the leading hotel chains that Craig has worked for include SPHC, ACCOR, Radisson Hotel Group, Rydges Hotels & Resorts and TFE Hotels.

Liz Long (1993)

Owner/Director, Luscious Affairs Catering, Melbourne

Founder and Managing Director of Catering and Café Food Business, Luscious Affairs, I have worked as an Events Manager, Caterer, Culinary Tour Host and Entrepreneur over the last twenty three years.

A key component of Luscious Affairs has been event management, which I have grown from a single client to representing sixty five percent of my overall annual revenue.

Experienced in building and developing a highly respected brand in event management, cafes, cooking school, global culinary tours and hospitality.

I am also engaged as a Food & Beverage Consultant for hotels and cafes. This includes Identifying marketing channels to pursue potential growth opportunities for the hotel through digital marketing, social media and PR. Also mentoring and coaching the Food & Beverage team to achieve excellence; acting as an advocate for Food & Beverage service; preparing daily and weekly reports for both the General Manager and the Hotel Owner and delivering a final detailed report of all assessments and achievements.

Chris Franzen (1997)

Managing Director, Aureus Advisors | Managing Director, Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne

After spending several years in the culinary and food & beverage departments, he opted to try out other areas of the hospitality trade. He was keen on expanding his horizon and worked for many smaller luxury hotels and restaurants along the way such as the Hotel La Porte D’Octodure in Martigny and the Hotel Duc Berthold in Fribourg, both in the French speaking part of Switzerland. He brings with him over thirty years of experience having worked in Europe, the US, Australia, Russia and the Middle East before joining in India. He has also worked for other global hotel operators and luxury boutique hotels over the years, including the Gourmet Restaurant Glashof in Zug, the Hilton Hotel in Zurich, Kofler & Kompanie in Germany, the luxury boutique hotel The Inn on Fifth in Naples, Florida, and the Hotel Kurrajong in Canberra, Australia.

He started his Hyatt career as Revenue Manager at the Hyatt Regency Dubai, followed by other appointments at the Grand Hyatt Muscat in Oman, the Park Hyatt Moscow in Russia, the Grand Hyatt Dubai in the UAE, and the Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel & Villas in Qatar, and Area Vice President Western India, Hyatt International Hotels & Resorts plus General Manager, Grand Hyatt Mumbai.

Chris enjoyed his new role as Managing Director, Aureus Advisors and the pre-opening of the Waldorf-Astoria Doha Lusail in Qatar and is now pleased to be back in his home country of Switzerland, in his current role.

Chris has won several awards and honours over the years that include the Business Excellence Award 2017 and was also one of the candidates for the Jay A. Pritzker Award for Leadership. In the same year his hotel team in Qatar was also a contender for the Donald N. Pritzker Award for Hotel Team of the Year. He is also well versed in three languages: English, French and German. 

Tom Frawley (1993)

Currently on a career sabbatical

After graduating in 1993 Tom developed his love of food and beverage by working in a variety of hospitality settings including restaurants, wine shops and yachts in Australia and Europe. After a brief hiatus in the technology industry, Tom returned to the kitchen to work in food media, catering and restaurants.

Over the years, Tom remained in contact with the school and in 2010 he returned to the Blue Mountains to join the team at BMIHMS as a staff member. Tom worked initially in the Food and Beverage Department before moving into academia. Tom completed his MBA at Glion Institute of Higher Education in 2015 and graduated with the accolade of Top Student. He received the THCI Teacher Achievement Award for Hospitality Management in 2018. Tom is currently enjoying a career sabbatical.

Mathew Child (1997)

General Manager, Opal Healthcare, Sydney

Having graduated the BMIHMS in 1994 I continued to work in a variety of roles predominantly rooms division based, before heading to Switzerland with fellow BMIHMS graduates to finish my degree in Hotel Management.

Upon completion of my Degree, I returned briefly to Australia for the 2000 Sydney Olympics whilst working with ACCOR before returning to England to undertake and complete a Masters in International Marketing. Before entering into the Quest Network, I had the benefit of working for Accor, Hilton Hotels UK, Holiday Inn and the Toga Hospitality group. I would say there is not a role or a position that I have not undertaken in a hotel, whether it was cooking breakfast for 100 pax or managing a conference for Princess Anne I could comfortably say I have accomplished all. This experience has ensured my success with franchising ownership within the Quest Group.

I operated and owned Quest Franchises in Sydney for 13 years and also ventured into the NZ marketspace in the past. Apart from the busy hotel environment I enjoy mixing it on the cricket pitch and golf courses when time allows. My other passion is supporting worthy charities’ in particular RUOK for we all should be asking this every day.

Most recently I have embarked on a new challenge as a General Manager for Opal Healthcare who are very focused on creating positive guest experiences.

Charlie Young (1993)

General Manager, Pullman Sydney Penrith

I have always been driven by a desire to give back to the school and support future hospitality leaders. During my time working in the USA, I was proud to provide career opportunities to many graduating students, and I continue to enjoy mentoring and engaging with the next generation of hoteliers.

With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality and hotel industry, I have a proven track record of delivering memorable, caring, and unique guest and employee experiences.

My career spans multiple international brands, ownership groups, and management companies, with extensive experience in the USA and China. I have led hotel openings, re-brandings, renovations, and day-to-day operations, and I currently serve as the General Manager of Pullman Sydney Penrith and the Western Sydney Conference Centre.

Throughout my career, I have developed and executed strategies that drive revenue growth, profitability, and exceptional guest and employee satisfaction through collaborative, people-focused leadership. I am committed to building strong, high-performing teams that deliver world-class, memorable experiences and uphold a culture of excellence.

By leveraging my expertise in financial analysis, operations, and team development, I create environments where diverse teams can thrive, grow, and confidently deliver their best in fast-paced hospitality settings.

Camellia Dinh (2012)

Founder and Chief Executive Officer at The Brand Promise & Beyoutiful Vietnam; BMIHMS Alumni Chapter Host Vietnam

I am a seasoned hospitality and branding leader with more than 15 years of experience across luxury hotels, education and entrepreneurial ventures. I am a proud BMIHMS alumna and Executive MBA holder, and have built my career at the intersection of guest experience, commercial performance, and brand storytelling, working with leading international hotel groups before founding my own boutique branding firm, The Brand Promise.

I bring extensive on-the-ground operational and commercial expertise, having served as Pre-Opening Director of Sales and Marketing for three international hotels and resorts in Vietnam, where I helped shape market entry, positioning, and launch strategies. I have also been serving as the Vietnam Chapter Host for BMIHMS alumni, actively connecting graduates, organising community activities, and nurturing a strong local network in one of Asia’s most dynamic hospitality markets.

As Founder & CEO of The Brand Promise, I now partner with hospitality, lifestyle, and service-led businesses to clarify their brand promise and deliver it consistently across every touchpoint.

On the Alumni Board, I am committed to strengthening the bridge between graduates and industry, amplifying the global impact of the Blue Mountains network, and supporting the next generation of hospitality leaders as they navigate a rapidly changing, experience-driven world.

Tammie Malixi (2019) Director of Human Resources, Shangri-La The Marina, Cairns

My hospitality career has always been driven by curiosity. It was my interest in understanding how hotel rates are determined that led me to pursue a Masters degree in International Hospitality Management, which brought me to Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School in 2017. Upon completing my studies, my curiosity evolved — this time toward understanding how decisions are made from a broader organisational and commercial perspective — prompting my transition from Front Office operations into Human Resources.

I have been with the Shangri-La Group since the beginning of my hospitality career in 2014, when I started as a Switchboard Operator at Makati Shangri-La, Manila, before moving into Customer Sales (Room Reservations). I later rejoined the group in Sydney while completing my master’s degree, starting again in Switchboard and progressing into a Front Office All-Rounder role.

In 2020, I transitioned into Human Resources, where I found my professional niche and where my career has truly flourished.

With nearly 11 years with the group, the organisation has become a professional home that continues to support my growth and development. In my current role, I lead people and culture initiatives in a luxury hospitality environment.

Bikram Tamang (2024)
Front Office Manager,
Rydges Sydney Central

I have extensive experience in hotel operations, guest services, and team leadership, particularly in my current role as FOM at Rydges Sydney Central..

I have progressed through various roles within the hospitality industry, developing strong expertise in stakeholder engagement, operational excellence, and team development.

I am passionate about contributing to alumni initiatives, supporting student and graduate engagement, and giving back to the community through mentorship and collaboration.

I look forward to working with the Board and the Alumni to achieve our goals for 2026.