The Role of Engineers at M&R Hotels

The roles of guest-facing positions, including bellman, housekeeper, breakfast attendant and guest service agent are very familiar to even the newest team members. Less widely known is the role of our engineers, who play a behind-the-scenes role in each M&R hotel. 

In fact, there are at least two engineers on staff at each M&R-managed hotel. As our general managers can attest, those engineers are essential to the successful operation of our properties. 

Anthony “Tony” Cirillo, M&R’s vice president of engineering/construction, explained that our hotels each are staffed by a chief engineer or facilities manager along with one or more line engineers. The 620-room DoubleTree by Hilton New York Times Square West, the largest hotel in M&R’s portfolio, is staffed by eight line engineers who report to Chief Engineer Robert Kranik. 

Engineers tackle a wide range of tasks. Tony refers to the acronym “MEPs” to describe the three broad areas their work entails: mechanicals, electrical and plumbing. Line engineers make what are known as “room calls.” In which they make repairs of equipment that need immediate attention, such as a backed-up toilet, malfunctioning shower or balky HVAC system.

Much of the engineers’ work falls under the heading of preventive maintenance. The challenge facing our property-based teams is to anticipate problems down the road, thereby saving time and money over the long run and avoiding having to take guest rooms out of inventory, which would result in a loss of revenue.

Beyond room calls, engineers perform what Tony characterizes as “project work,” including implementing brand-mandated Property Improvement Plans. These projects may involve electrical work, carpentry or painting. From time to time, Tony will temporarily reassign engineers from one building to another if the in-house crew lacks a specialized skill.

“Like M&R associates in other operational areas, we’re fortunate to have engineers whose skills are top-notch,” he said. “They’re hard-working and prepared to go the extra mile to get the job done.”