News from the I Hotel and Conference Center

Bellmen/Drivers
The first person you see when you arrive at the I Hotel will be our bellman/driver, waiting to assist you with getting your luggage out of your car and with taking it to your guest room. The I Hotel bellmen also drive guests to/from the airport, Illinois Terminal and campus destinations in the I Hotel luxury SUV. On duty from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM every day, our bellmen/drivers include:

Chase Hammock

Chase is a graduate of Monticello HS, where he played on the Sages Varsity Football team. He is in his first year at Parkland College majoring in Criminal Justice. Chase's goal is to become an IL State Police officer.

Donald Ronk

Donald is an Urbana HS graduate and has his Associates Degree from Danville Area Community College. He used to play the guitar and sing with the Revenuers, a popular local country band. Now he enjoys being with his two young daughters, ages six and eight, and likes to fish and golf in his spare time.

Guest Services Agents
The I Hotel Guest Services Agents, who staff our reception desk, take your telephone reservations and assist you at check-in and check-out. Agents are on duty 24/7 to answer your questions during your stay and make sure all your needs are taken care of. Whether you want an additional pillow or tickets to a Krannert event, the I Hotel Guest Services Agents are ready to serve you.

Bryan Bennett
Bryan graduated from Gibson City HS and is currently attending Parkland College majoring in Hotel Management. Bryan spent his spring semester in a five-month internship at The Walt Disney Company in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Bryan plans to attend either WIU or SIUC.

Charles Gary

Charles is a University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign student majoring in Sociology and Pre Law. He is from Richton Park, IL and spent summers working in impoverished areas in NC, GA and Canada rebuilding homes. He is also an accomplished pianist and piano instructor and is planning a career in Social Work.

Katrina Linzy
Katrina is a Central HS graduate and is attending Parkland College majoring in both Hotel Management and Restaurant Management. This past summer, Katrina worked as an intern for Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants in Chicago, working at the Hotel Monoco, the Hotel Burnham and the Allegro. She will be attending Roosevelt University in Chicago in the fall of 2009.

Hiren Panchal

Hiren is a 2005 graduate of Parkland College and a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, earning his BS Degree in Finance. While in college, Hiren was active in the Finance Club, the Indian Student Association, the Economics Club and the International Student Association. He also received a Jeld-Wen Scholarship and an August C. Meyers Scholarship.

Chrysann Manning
Chrysann is a native Texan, having grown up in San Antonio. She is a former member of the Civil Defense Unit where she was a trained first responder and weather spotter. Chrysann has worked in the hotel industry since 1991 at the Marriott Riverwalk and Marriott Rivercenter Hotel in San Antonio and then at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel in Springfield, IL. She is a skilled baker and candy maker and often brings her creations to the I Hotel office.

Steve Saldivar

Steve is a University of Illinois Accountancy major from Chicago, IL who will graduate in May, 2010. Steve enjoys serving as a volunteer and mentor for La Casa Cultural Latina where he assists with programs designed to educate and influence youth towards pursuing secondary education.

Greg Square

Greg, a Champaign native, graduated from Illinois State University with a BS degree in Economics and obtained his MBA from Regent University. He has worked at Parkland College since 1991, first as an Accountant and currently as an Academic Advisor. In addition to working on his doctorate, Greg is pursuing his real estate license. He enjoys chess and has participated in four marathons.

Markus White

Markus graduated from Urbana HS where he was an All Conference, All Area baseball player as well as played football and golf. He will be attending Parkland College in spring, 2009 and majoring in Hospitality Management.

Lamar Woodard
Lamar is a Washington, DC native and a graduate of the University of Maryland at College Park with a B.A. in Art & Design. Prior to getting married and moving to Champaign, Lamar worked at the Madison, a 5-Star/5-Diamond Washington, DC hotel, and the 4-Star Embassy Suites Washington, DC-Convention Center.