Industry Hotshots Archive

Joe Tenczar

Senior Director of Technology/CIO - Hard Rock International

What are some of your responsibilities?
Governing global Hard Rock technology, keeping the “lights on” so our business can operate, and finding new ways to engage our guests and staff through technology.

What do you like most about your job?
The culture is amazing! We are motivated simply by living the brand: Love All Serve All.

What do you like least about your job?
Having to tell my friends that they can’t come with me to our Hard Rock Calling event in London.

Where did you go to school? What was your major?
BS from the University of Florida (telecom and computer science) and MBA from Rollins College.

What is your favorite movie?
"Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

What is your favorite song?
"Shine On You Crazy Diamond" by Pink Floyd.

What is your favorite line from a movie or song?
“There's no point in being nuts if you can't have a little fun.” - John Nash in A Beautiful Mind

What was your first job?
Clerk at a VHS video rental store.

What was your most interesting day at work?
A former company had three hurricanes go directly over its data center. Some of the roof was gone and I spent the good part of three days mopping and re-attaching the plastic tarps over the racks.

What would you do if you won the lottery?
Invent and help as many people as I could.

When you are not working, what do you enjoy doing?
Playing basketball and camping with my kids.

What is the next technology to impact the hospitality industry?
More integrated RFID solutions. With NFC becoming more prevalent, there should be no reason that one chip can pay for your burger and open your hotel room.