Nez leads a staff of 17 employees and four managers.
Nez was interested in becoming an accountant. That plan went out the classroom window when he was attending orientation sessions at Northern Arizona University 25 years ago. After a late lunch with his mother, the only session left that afternoon was for the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management.
Professor Jon Hales “sold me on hospitality and he became my mentor and advisor. It worked out perfectly for [me],” said Nez, who has a long resume with hotel management jobs in Phoenix, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Florida and across the Southwest.
“Up to that point, I had always dreamed of seeing the world and was delighted to find a career path that would allow me to do exactly that.”
Nez was director of operations at the Americana, joining the team a few months after the renovated hotel opened in July 2023. He was appointed general manager this spring replacing Zach Miller. Nez leads a staff of 17 employees and four managers.
The new GM will “focus on elevating day-to-day operations, deepening guest connections and leading the hotel into its next phase of growth in the Flagstaff community,” according to a news release from Practice Hospitality. In 2023, the Dallas-based hotel management company led the colorful renovation of the 1962 motor hotel on Route 66.
Nez’s experience includes leadership roles at four Sedona resorts – a Hilton, Poco Diablo, Amara and Element.
“He’s had a great career, not only with Hilton but with several other hotel companies and different types of hotels,” said Hales, who taught at NAU from 1995 to 2018 after 25 years with Marriott.
“He was kind of quiet but very energetic” when he came to NAU, Hales said. “But it’s the kind of personality that fits in well with hospitality.”
Nez is an Arizona native.
“I grew up on the Navajo Reservation,” Nez said. “We didn’t have running water or electricity until I was 7. We moved to Chinle for kindergarten.”
Nez attended Pinon High School west of Chinle in northeastern Arizona. Chinle is near Canyon de Chelly National Monument. His graduating class in 2000 was the first to go all four years to Pinon High.
“My aunt (Agnes Whitehair) raised me during high school. She was very adamant about playing sports and being active.”
Nez played football, basketball and baseball for the Eagles.
“My aunt was amazing. She was at every game.”
“I decided not to play basketball my senior year, but my aunt insisted. She said, ‘If you’re going to live under my roof, you’re going to play basketball.’”
He was back in the gym on the second day of preseason practice.
Nez said he and a cousin, one year younger, had friendly competition during high school for good grades and athletic achievements.
“I really attribute a lot of that (competition) to my success,” he said, adding, “I deeply admire the Navajo mothers in my life. Their strength, resilience and guidance have made me into the leader I am today.”
During his senior year at NAU, Nez was in a select group of students picked for internships. He stayed fairly close to home with a management training position at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak in Phoenix.
“That opportunity launched a 15-year career with Hilton, taking me across the country and ultimately to my current role as general manager at Americana Motor Hotel.”
In Flagstaff, Nez greets each morning with a walk to work. “It’s a simple but intentional ritual that allows me to decompress, reflect and mentally prepare for the day ahead.” FBN
By Peter Corbett, FBN
Photo by Peter Corbett: Americana General Manager Dominic Nez enjoys welcoming guests in the vibrant hotel.
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