Mr. Grader has been working with Marriott International since the summer of '85. Prior to moving here he held the title of GM at the Marriott Hotel in Copenhagen, Heidelberg, and Stuttgart.
His career started at the Hilton Hotel Vienna, where he held various positions in F&B from May 1979 until June 1985. After that, for about 10 years between 1985 and 1995, he worked at the Vienna Marriott Hotel. There he held various positions in Sales & marketing, Food & Beverages, and Administration. Moving on he became Director of Operations at the Hamburg Marriott Hotel, from February 1995 to May 1997, before he was given his first job as GM in Stuttgart.
His professional strengths are in the following areas: Business Planning & Organization, Sales & Marketing , Client Relations, Product Development, and Quality Management. He is married with two children, Luisa born in 1998, and Valentin born in 2001 - he was born on the 29th of July in 1962.
1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I arrived here in August, 2006 to take over the Budapest Marriott Hotel as General Manager.
2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
Yes, predominantly in Europe. The last city before Budapest was Copenhagen in Denmark.
3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
It positively surprised me that Budapest is a truly European city with great opportunities in all aspects.
4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
I would definitely recommend Normafa, and János-hegy. They are off the touristy paths, but you can enjoy a beautiful 360º view of the whole city. Outside of Budapest I would take them to Visegrád for hiking and to see the castle, and Esztergom, to the cathedral.
5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Csirkepaprikás and székelykáposzta
6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
French cheese
7.What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Fantasztikus and természetesen
8. What do you miss most from home?
I miss my good old friends.
9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
I would love to be the captain of a cruise ship.
10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Captain of a submarine
11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
In Mallnitz, Austria
12. Where do you hope to spend your next holiday?
Tuscany
13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Elvis Presley, the title of the film I can?t remember, but Terence Hill and Bud Spencer starred in it, and my hobby was and still is skiing.
14. What can't you resist?
Dark chocolate by Lindt.
15. Red wine or white?
Red, from Villány.
16. Book or movie?
Movie, the Beautiful Mind is an excellent one.
17. Morning person or night person?
I'm an early bird.
18. Dog person or cat person?
Dog - Golden Retrievers I like best.
19. Buda or Pest side?
Buda
20. What would you say is your personal motto?
"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." - Albert Schweitzer.