Shawn Michael Byrne

Shawn Michael Byrne is a hospitality industry expert with over 30 years experience in the service business. He has worked for industry giants such as the Marriott Marquis in New York City (Manhattan), Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, and, other major corporations throughout the United States. He is the former owner of the Gallery Cafe in Florida, and, is currently an adjunct professor at The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) in New York City.

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In addition to his work, Shawn has also engaged in an acting career and has been a featured extra in both television and film including: “Law and Order”, “Anger Management”, “Spiderman 3”, “Analyze That”, and, “Law and Order: SVU” just to name a few.

 

He is also an illustrator/artist/photographer, and, is currently working on several projects.

Shawn was born in Englewood, New Jersey, and, grew up in the neighboring town of Leonia. He is the son of the late Robert Byrne and the late Anne Byrne. He enjoys sports especially the Mets, Jets and the Somerset Patriots (Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.) Shawn also enjoys the arts, water sports and other leisure activities. His birthday is May 21, 1961.

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T.R. “Tina” Threston

T.R. “Tina” Threston is the C.E.O. of World Guide Publishing (TM), and, a well-known, and, highly respected, award winning travel writer. She worked as a travel agent for a number of years before turning to a career in writing for magazines, newspapers, on-line media, and, guidebooks. Tina has over 150,000 Twitter Followers and over 50,000 Facebook Fans.

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In addition to her work, T.R. is on the Board of Trustees of The New York Social Network, a charitable organization that helps raise awareness & funds for non-profit organizations. Threston also served as Chairwoman of New York Travel Writers Society 2013/2014, and, is involved with Collective Changes (a non-profit women’s economic empowerment organization) where she serves as a Global Ambassador, KIVA and several United Nations non-profit organizations including Giving Tuesday where she serves as a Social Media Ambassador. She is a member of the 2013 Women’s Museum Honor Roll, and, supports a number of charities on the local level. In addition winning a 2014 “Women in Business” Stevie Award, Tina was also nominated for a prestigious 2014 National Association for Female Executives Women of Excellence Award. In addition, she has been selected by the Harris Charitable Trust as a “2014 Globally Notable Individual of Positive Change Honoree.”

 

Tina was born in Newark, NJ, and, grew up in The Garden State, in both Bridgewater and Sea Girt. She is the daughter of the late Charles Rinaldi and late Anne Marie Zoranksy - Rinaldi. She enjoys travel, cooking, entertaining, gardening, Broadway shows, and, has been an equestrian since age 9. Her birthday is November 13, 1966.

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