Management Team

Sean just might be the Renaissance man of the 21^st Century. He has worked as a professional sailor in the yachting industry, buyer in the retail industry, retail development manager for an internet startup, project manager for a major oil company, an IT infrastructure manager and a commercial/residential general contractor. The common lesson he learned in all of these fields is that "the way to make a business successful is by taking care of your customers better than your competition will." 

Sean was sommelier and bar manager at LON's at The Hermosa Inn prior to joining T. Cook's as restaurant manager in 2008 and promoted to General Manager in 2011. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the dining room and lounge. "My entire job revolves around making people happy.  How could that not be a great thing to do every day?"   

His committed approach to service continually earns high marks and repeat guests. "We can't take ourselves too seriously. I want to ensure that our guests receive quality service and are also able to enjoy a carefree dining experience."

In his free time, Sean enjoys the finer things in life: good food and drink, working on his home and garden, going to the theater and volunteering with Childsplay, a professional theater company geared to families and young audiences. 

John confesses to being a little "OCD" regarding organization, which could be a big reason for his success as a T. Cook's Restaurant Manager.

With a phenomenal range of skills, John took a dual career path that has dovetailed perfectly for his current role at T. Cook's.  John started working for mom and pop restaurants 15 years ago and has progressed through the restaurant and resort business, including a gig at the Four Seasons Scottsdale prior to joining T. Cook's more than eight years ago. 

The construction industry is John's other life, with jobs including cable technician, satellite installer, and electrician's apprentice. Plus, he has a degree from ASU in Housing & Community Development "which is a construction management degree of sorts. My goal is to work as a developer, possibly setting up restaurants in hotels or resorts. I seem to have a critical eye for their inner workings."

With his construction background, John understandably brings a unique viewpoint to the restaurant, and has been able to suggest and implement changes that have helped the daily ebb and flow. He approaches service standards and policies with the same keen eye and energy, while constantly updating and improving sales and incentive programs.

But he never loses sight of the subtleties of good service, always reminding the staff that "smiling is contagious."

For leisure, John tackles home projects and remodels for family members and laughs, "I guess it would be considered charity, although my family is a little expectant and less appreciative."

John is a self-taught kind of guy to a large degree, believing that it's never too late to learn. "If I don't know how to do something, I buy a book and read how, then I just do it."  His newest passions include plumbing, electrical, welding, sewing and weight training.  Clearly all instances where being a little OCD is a good thing.