1. When did you arrive in Golden Sands, Varna, and what brought you here? Tell us more about your new assignment your goals, vision for the hotels.
I arrived here on 20th June 2015. A friend working here at DoubleTree by Hilton mentioned that the hotel was looking for a new GM. I liked the the fact it’s a resort property here at Golden Sands, and that it’s part of the Hilton family. In my previous role I managed a few more than 100 rooms, here I have more responsibilities since we have 400 rooms in total. 200 on the international brand side of things at Double Tree, and 200 rooms at Helios Spa Resort, our local brand which mainly serves Bulgarians. Also I’m closer to home here, it’s good to be back in Europe. My main goal is to bring hotel back all the 5* standards here, and to work with the associates to instill a 5* mentality, a can do attitude.

2. What surprised you most about Varna / Golden Sands when you first arrived?
I expected less hotels, but more international brands, Double Tree is the only one here. Currently we’re ranked 13 out of 88 hotels listed on TripAdviser.

3. How long have you been an expat, where have you lived?
I started my career in 1975 as a cook in Germany, and after that I moved to InterContinental in Berlin. Then the army came calling so I left Germany and went to work at the InterContinental in London. From there I moved to to Saudi Arabia, and after a few years I moved to Toronto. From there I went back to Germany, but the army found me again so I moved to the US. I worked there for a total of 13 years with Marriott, in three different locations, including Orlando in Florida. I was then asked to move to California but I declined and took a new role with a different hotel group back in Saudi Arabia. Next up I spent six years in Egypt in three different locations, and after that I decided to return to Germany to open my own restaurant. After three years, I got a phone call with an offer to work in Russia. I accepted and opened a hotel in Samara, where I spent eight years in total, until the Russian crisis hit and many expats left.

4. What was the most interesting travel trip you have ever taken?
A diving trip off the coast of Florida. A group three couples rented a large catamaran for two weeks, we all had an amazing time feeling free on the sea.

5. If someone wrote a biography about you, what would the title be?
”The person who cannot stay in one place”

6. What career other than yours would you also love to pursue?
A lottery winner, I want to be a millionaire!

7. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
In Germany, close to the family in Lübeck near Hamburg.

8. What has been the biggest achievement in your life so far?
My 28 year old daughter, and my three years old son.

9. What is the secret of your success?
Being patient and listening – this way I’ve learnt to get more out of people.

10. What's the last book you read, and movie you watched?
I read books for my son, and alone I like watching action movies, I’m looking forward to see Terminator Genisys.

11. If you could trade places with any other person for a week, with whom would it be?
Bill Gates – he is doing good things with his money, and he’s smart.

12. What was the luckiest moment in your life so far?
Meeting my second wife.

13. If you were given a wish that could come true, what would you ask for?
Health and happiness for the whole family.

14. What has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
We tried for eight years, and finally it worked out and I finally have a son.

15. If you could go back in time what would you do differently in your life given what you know now?
I would not changed Hotel companies so often. It was nice to travel around the world but you don’t have real friends because of it, and it’s harder to relate to your family as you simply grow apart. So I would have stayed closer to home in Germany.

16. If you were on an island and could only take three things, what would you bring?
A TV, a six pack of beer, and a refrigerator.

17. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Education of children in general, and the terrible issue of child abuse.

18. In ten years from now what will you be doing?
Retired, on an island with a six pack of beers. No seriously, I’d like to be relaxing at home in Germany.

19. What can’t you resist - tell us a guilty pleasure.
Chocolate, I can’t leave an open packet uneaten.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
Get the job done!

21. What question would you ask if you interviewed yourself?
No comment! If it were to be ‘’what’s my favourite food?’’, then I’d have to say pizza, calzone!