Chris Shields Leads the Team at Sonesta ES Suites

Chris Shields is in love with Flagstaff and also his career. He has spent a dozen years in this mountain town and more than 30 years in the hospitality industry, including working with Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt. Today, he oversees the operations of Flagstaff’s Sonesta Extended Stay Suites as the property’s general manager.

“I’ve been here at Sonesta for four months and I love the company,” he said. “The Sonesta motto is based on the culture of caring, so we take good care of our team and they have been long-term.”

Spending the bulk of his career in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area, Shields was born in Detroit and says he appreciates Flagstaff’s four seasons. “It’s a nice slow pace here and my wife and I have made a lot of friends. What we really like about Flagstaff is that anywhere in town is less than 10 minutes away.”,

Shields graduated from the University of Arizona and began working in the hotel industry as a bellman, eventually leading to sales and marketing at hotels in the Valley. “For the last 15 years, I’ve served as general manager.”

Dual Marketing Director of Sales for Sonesta ES Suites in Flagstaff and Tucson Ellen Jimenez has worked with Shields for 10 years at the Radisson in Tucson and Phoenix. “Chris is a leader. He also likes to win and he helps his team accomplish that goal as a team. His positive attitude is contagious and I’m excited to come in to work. I feel like I’ve accomplished something when it’s time to go home.”

A favorite memory for Jimenez was working for Radisson in Tucson. “I had just booked my first big group and Chris just happened to call right after. I shared my exciting news and he did a celebration dance. We worked hard and he reminded me to make sure to stop and appreciate my successes.”

Purchasing a home at Aspen Valley Golf Club was a dream for Shields, an avid golfer, and his wife, Susan. “We love the community of Flagstaff and the fact that wherever we go we bump into someone we know. We lived in Phoenix for 15 years and hardly knew our neighbors.”

One of Shields’ goals at Sonesta is getting to know his team well, learning the culture of the company and continuing to grow the brand. “I’ve never worked in an extended-stay product before. Coming up from sales in 800-plus room hotels, I enjoy the small intimacy here. We just began our breakfast offering and it gives me a chance to get to know our customers, which I really like.”

Investing in the Flagstaff community is also on his list of priorities. Currently, he is a member of the Elks Lodge trustee board and on the business advocacy committee at the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce. He’s also in the running for a seat on the Aspen Valley Golf Club board.

Both he and Susan, who is director of sales at Little America, enjoy hiking and spending time with their three children and their cocker spaniel. “We also enjoy just relaxing,” said Shields. “We both work so many hours.”

With more than 300 properties across the United States and in eight countries, Sonesta is one of the largest hotel companies in the world.

Best Advice

My father told me to always tell the truth, no matter how hard it may be. That way, you will never have to remember what you said.

Guilty Pleasure

Red wine and chocolate.

Dream Destination

My wife and I would like to travel to Australia.

Favorite Character Qualities

Honesty and integrity.

Five Years From Now

I hope to be retired playing golf every day and sitting on a beach. FBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN