The Drake Hotel | Meet

Meet our Staff

Email: Russell.Menkes@hilton.com
Russell Menkes began his career as a chef de cuisine in Puerto Rico and moved on to various senior property-management positions in the U.S. Virgin Islands, New York City, Hong Kong, China and Mexico. He joined Hilton Worldwide in 1999 as general manager of the 444-room Hilton Times Square in New York. In 2006, Russell was promoted to general manager of the four-diamond Conrad Chicago hotel.

Russell earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and an associate’s degree from the Culinary Institute of America, where he received the school’s Waldorf Astoria award for outstanding student.

Russell brings a solid résumé to The Drake. He has invaluable experience and the leadership skills that will help keep The Drake one of country’s premier historic hotels.

Group Sales Team

Kevin Boland, Director of Sales & Marketing

Phone: 312.932.4306
Email: Kevin.Boland@hilton.com
Originally from County Cork in Ireland, Kevin Boland lived in London for two years before finally coming to Chicago, where he has lived for the last twelve years. He has 18 years of hotel experience, and oversees all Catering, Event Services, Sales, Marketing and Revenue management operations for The Drake. Kevin served on the Board of Directors for Meeting Professionals International (Chicago Chapter), as well as for HELP (Help Ease Local Poverty), a consortium of business, residential, religious, social service, institutional and volunteer leaders striving to underprivileged people in the Chicago area.

Ken Kirsch, Senior Sales Manager

Phone: 312.932.4302
Email: Ken.Kirsch@hilton.com
Ken Kirsch has 27 years of industry experience, 19 of which were spent working with Hilton Hotels and Hilton International. A graduate of Michigan State University, Ken's distinguished career includes ten years in New York City, working at the Waldorf Astoria, New York Hilton, and the Hilton International Global Sales Office.

Christie Gillespie, Senior Sales Manager

Phone: 312.932.4324
Email: Christie.Gillespie@hilton.com
Christie Gillespie joined The Drake in 2008 after spending the early part of her career with Starwood and Marriott Hotels. Her market segments include Midwest Corporate and Pharmaceutical, and professional sports. Her extensive hotel background has brought her into leadership positions in nearly every department in a hotel. Born and raised in Chicago, Christie started in the hotel industry as a Front Desk Agent while still an undergraduate. Later, she spent five years exploring the West Coast and working for Marriott in Los Angeles.

Marc Maurer, Senior Sales Manager

Phone: 312.932.4310
Email: Marc.Maurer@hilton.com
Marc Maurer brings over eight years of hotel experience to The Drake, most of which was spent in sunny Tampa, Florida. Marc graduated from Michigan Sate University where he earned a degree from The School of Hospitality Business. Upon graduating, Marc relocated from Michigan to Tampa, Florida, where he began his hospitality career. Wanting to be back in the Midwest and share in the energy of Chicago, his favorite city, Marc was honored to be a brought on as a team member of The Drake in June 2008. Marc belongs to the Chicago Chapter of Meeting Professionals International where he is one of the committee members. He is also active in the Michigan State Alumni Club of Chicago.

Andrea Mott, Senior Sales Manager

Phone: 312.93.4331
Email: Andrea.Mott@hilton.com
Andrea handles all Midwest Associations, law firms / legal, as well as all Conference Direct business. Andrea comes to The Drake with several years of sales experience from Michigan and most recently Hilton Suites Chicago Magnificent Mile. Andrea is very active in MPI-CAC Chicago. Andrea attended Michigan State University and received a degree in Hospitality Business. Along with her educational experience, Andrea also completed two internships in Maui, Hawaii at a large resort.

Rose Stewart, Senior Sales Manager

Phone: 312-932-4303
Email: Rose.Stewart@hilton.com
Rose joined The Drake Family in June of 2000. In that time, she has worked in many capacities in the Sales & Events Department, specializing in wedding room blocks and small meetings. No matter if your event is next week or next year, Rose is your go to contact for any and all small meeting needs. She is detail-oriented, knowledgeable, and will work with you to make sure your event is as you had envisioned.

Event and Meeting Service Team

Amber Alspach, Senior Event Manager

Phone: 312-932-4309
Email: Amber.Alspach@hilton.com
A Hospitality and Tourism Management graduate from Purdue University Amber began her career here at The Drake in 2008 as Meeting Services Floor Manager. After two years in this position Amber displayed a tremendous commitment to quality and a superior ability to organize and multi-task. Amber has been able to successfully balance the requirements of countless clients with the requests of each and every department in the hotel. Amber remarks, "I work at the Drake because it’s a name that excites people when they hear it. Growing up in the Chicago area, I know what a truly amazing hotel the Drake is and I am thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful team."