Meet the Team

Robert O. Sanders, Jr. CMP
Founder, Partner

Robert O. Sanders Jr. is the Founder and Chairman of Hospitality Resource Group, Inc. (HRG), a vertically integrated group of three companies: Event Solutions, Strategic Training Solutions and Allegis Communications

Robert has worked for prestigious, world renowned companies in the hospitality industry, as a management leader in sales, marketing, training and operations. Prior to founding HRG, Robert served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Abigail Kirsch Culinary Productions, the largest catering company in Westchester County, New York, where he managed an organization of fifty and led the development of numerous successful marketing campaigns, increasing business year after year. Previously, Robert worked for Marriott Corporation, starting in their Hilton Head hotel in 1983. During his twelve year tenure at Marriott, he served as a sales executive, and 1993, was appointed to the position of Director of Catering Sales for the Marriott Marquis, the chain's flagship hotel in Manhattan.

Robert is extremely active in business and community affairs, and currently serves as past president of the Greater New York Metro chapter of MPI (Meeting Professionals International), the premier global association community for meeting and event professionals. He also serves on the board of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. (HVEDC), the leading economic development organization for the Hudson Valley, New York region.

Previously, he has served as Special Events Advisor and Chairman of the Westchester County Chapter of the American Red Cross, as Board Member of the Westchester County Association, and as a Board Member and Student Teacher for Junior Achievement. In April of 1999, Robert received the honor of being the first recipient of the American Red Cross Samuel J. Friedman Humanitarian Award. He also works with Bridges to Community, and has developed and led humanitarian efforts for business executives to travel to Nicaragua to build homes for families in need.

Laura C. McNerney
President

Laura's extensive background in human resources, training and organizational development, retail management, sales and marketing position her to partner and collaborate with HRG's corporate clients. Prior to joining HRG, Laura was Vice President of Human Resources for Doral Hotels and Resorts. She was responsible for all Human Resources and training functions for four properties. Her accomplishments included the design and delivery of a company- wide hospitality training program, the implementation of a cost-effective multi-level benefits program, and the creation of a corporate recognition program. Under Laura's leadership, the company maintained record low turnover.

Before joining Doral, Laura served as Manager of Human Resources for the American Red Cross in San Diego, California, where she received the prestigious National Tiffany Award for outstanding service and commitment to the mission of the American Red Cross.

Laura is a member of the Westchester Human Resource Management Association and is an active volunteer in her local community and school system.

Susan McHenry
Director, Meetings and Events

Susan provides our clients with a wealth of experience and expertise in event management, leadership and support. She is a quintessential team player, and has been instrumental in HRG’s growth, delivering the highest level of support for our long term clients, including major national corporations and industry leaders. Prior to joining HRG, Susan was responsible for coordinating, implementing, and managing high profile meetings around the world while at Quintiles Transnational and Veritas.

Walter Recher
Vice President, Marketing and Special Projects

Walter manages and directs HRG marketing and communication, HRG's Allegis Communications company, and public/private partnership programs, working closely with company clients, strategic partners, government and media relationships. With over 20 years of experience as an innovative business leader and marketing executive, he has founded and led new media and marketing companies, education programs, and public/private business partnerships, and produced high profile events. Over the course of his career, Walter has worked with major media properties to produce articles and interviews featured in Entrepreneurship Magazine, NBC News, Cablevision, New York Yankee Magazine, Gannett, WCBS NewsRadio, The NY Times, and the Westchester and Fairfield County Business Journals. He has produced and directed events with the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the New York Yankees, Intel, Microsoft, Citibank and the PGA. As an adjunct professor, he has developed and facilitated courses in entrepreneurship, marketing, communication and leadership at Fordham University, Marist College, Manhattanville College and Oswego State University. Walter earned his BA in Psychology from Oswego State University, and MBA from Fordham University.

Tricia McTernan
Senior Event Manager

Tricia is responsible for providing administrative support for special events and customer training.

Prior to joining HRG, Tricia was a Quality Assurance Engineer for MAI Systems Corporation, responsible for the resolution of product issues through writing and implementing test plans. Tricia was also a senior support representative for Datalogix Corporation, providing product expertise to customers with software issues.

Tricia holds a Bachelors of Science degree from Manhattan College, with a double major in Marketing and Computer Information Systems. She currently resides in Mahopac with her husband and two young sons.

Nicolette Strano
Senior Event Manager

Nicolette Strano is an Event Manager at Hospitality Resource Group, with responsibilities that include working with senior management to provide event support for HRG corporate and nonprofit clients and strategic partners, along with HRG's Strategic Solutions and Allegis Communications. Prior to joining HRG, Nicolette worked as an Administrative Coordinator for the world renowned Marist Poll, where she was involved in communication and budgeting, and coordinated logistics for guest speakers, at Marist and in Washington D.C.. Nicolette earned her Bachelor's Degree at Marist College, and she is a resident of Stamford, CT.