Getting there A timeline of success

DEEPAK Ohri, CEO of Bangkok–based Lebua Hotels & Resorts Co., Ltd.,wanted to be a pilot. “I love the feeling of flying higher and higher,” he said.But growing up, his brother always told him that he was more cut out for the hospitality industry because of his “epicurean” personality.

He was educated with degree of MBA programme of IIM, Bangalore,India. While still in school, he worked as a dishwasher and got about 50 cents, which he spent on transportation and lunch.

Fresh out of school, he looked for a job and went on almost 10 interviews a day and never found employment. When he finally got himself employed,it was just a matter of time before he found himself achieving great heights.

Chronology: 1992 - 2008

• Started career path with India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), which is responsible for developing tourism in India.

• Began rich hospitality industry experience spanning almost two decades by joining the Kempinski Group in India as executive assistant to the managing director.

• Appointed as brand manager of Carlson,South-east Asia operations

• Appointed regional director of Casual American Restaurant International Operation

• Moved back to home ground as corporate manager of Operations at the Taj Group of Hotels, India, and discovered particular attraction to the challenges of opening new hotels and restaurants.

• Started opening nearly 20 outlets in six countries namely India, Indonesia, America, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

• Joined Challenge Hospitality Co., Ltd. as GM and first employee and took on responsibility for opening the Dome restaurants including Sirocco, Mezzaluna and Distil Bar.

• Under leadership, The Dome at State Tower was selected and chosen as the only triple winner in the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2005 ‘Hot List’ awards. Such recognition catapulted The Dome onto the world stage.

• Accepted the company’s fresh challenge to run and turn around the hotel at State Tower which was taken over from Meritus group

• 2007 – Present Turned-around bottomline and set a record in terms of occupancy and room recovery. Promoted to the position of CEO of Lebua Hotels & Resorts Co., Ltd.