SPRINGFIELD, Mo. & ALPHARETTA, Ga.–Atrium Hospitality today announced Michael Bloom and Christine (Chris) Ruble have been appointed to area management positions in Springfield, Missouri, for one of the nation’s largest hotel and asset management companies. The promotions name Bloom as an area general manager and Ruble as a regional director of sales and marketing. Combined, the two hospitality veterans bring six decades of hands-on hotel management, sales and food and beverage experience to the advancement opportunities for the Alpharetta, Georgia-based company.
“Chris and Michael are exemplary managers that inspire excellence, both in the workplace and in their active involvement in the community,” said Daniel Abernethy, president of Atrium Hospitality. “It is rewarding to promote from within our organization, as we create highly collaborative, productive teams. Both individuals have deep hospitality roots in the Springfield area that complement their distinctive abilities as strong performers.”
In their new roles, Bloom and Ruble will work together in their responsibilities for three hotels in Springfield, representing 398 rooms/suites. The three properties include:
- 142-room/suite Courtyard by Marriott Springfield Airport
- 120-room/suite Holiday Inn Express & Suites Springfield
- 136-room/suite Residence Inn by Marriott Springfield
Ruble’s sales responsibilities also encompass the 267-room/suite University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, as the hotel’s director of sales and marketing. In addition, Bloom will serve as the new general manager of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Springfield, adjacent to Hammons Field, an award-winning minor league baseball stadium.
Bloom has a long history in Springfield, having served in hospitality positions for 20 years in the “Queen City of the Ozarks.” Most recently, he was general manager at Atrium’s 188-room/suite Holiday Inn & Suites Springfield – I-44, including overseeing 8,000 square feet of meeting space. His experience in Springfield also includes serving in assistant general manager and food and beverage director positions at the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center on behalf of John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH). In addition, his extensive career comprises management positions at the 103-room Cocoa Beach Oceanside Inn in Florida and for the 1800-passenger Big Red Boat for Premier Cruise Lines in Cape Canaveral, Florida. In the Chicago area, Bloom’s experience spans diverse management roles for Taboo Bistro, Holiday Inn, and Park Hyatt Hotel. Bloom is active in mentoring hospitality talent in training in conjunction with Missouri State University. He attended Daley Community College in Chicago.
“Having fun in your job is an important part of the formula for productivity and success,” Bloom said. “Working with Chris, we will continue to reinforce Atrium Hospitality’s commitment to a workplace that lifts and grows talent, while delivering on an exceptional guest stay.”
Overseeing sales and marketing responsibilities for four hotels, representing 665 rooms/suites, Ruble, a Missourian, will leverage her established hospitality background in the Springfield area with her expanded role. For 15 years, she has served as the director of sales for the University Plaza Hotel & Convention Center, which is ranked the largest hotel in Springfield based on the number of guest rooms. Ruble’s career also includes director of sales positions for properties under well-known hospitality brands, including DoubleTree by Hilton and Holiday Inn, among others. The Events Industry Council (EIC) recognizes Ruble as a certified meeting planner (CMP). She is involved in professional associations at the national and local levels and is the current past president of the Springfield Hotel Lodging Association. Ruble is a board member of the Springfield Sports Commission and a member of the Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA), with her initial membership dating back 18 years. She is the current president elect of the Springfield Business Builders Club, having served in several leadership positions for the organization. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in recreation and leisure studies with an emphasis on business/marketing from Missouri State University (SMSU).
“It’s an exciting time in Springfield, as demand continues to evolve. There is an energy and passion that is apparent to our properties’ teams,” Ruble said. “Michael and I are strong believers in the value of mentoring, and our properties’ close proximity to top-notch educational institutions provides access to a wealth of up-and-coming talent. I personally have had the enjoyment of witnessing the kickoff and development of numerous hospitality careers in Springfield and look forward to continuing to collaborate on the career progression of the city’s talent base.”
