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Our People

We welcome you to the Commodore Airport Hotel, your home away from home. Our friendly and efficient staff ensure attention to every detail to provide you with superior service and excellent hospitality.

Our employees work together as a family, driven by passion for excellence in delivering service with professionalism, which is key to our success. We believe in continous development, hence our staff undergo ongoing training to ensure they deliver the optimum level of service that is expected.

Meet The Team

Michael 25

MICHAEL PATTERSON General Manager / Director

General Manager / Director Michael grew up in the hotel. His family founded the Commodore in December 1971 when Michael was only 4 years old. Michael attended St Bede's College and then Christchurch Polytech before going on to complete a Traineeship with the Tourist Hotel Corporation. Gaining experience at the Hermitage Mount Cook, Wairakei Resort Taupo and the THC Te Anau, Michael also worked in Australia for Park Royal and Travelodge before returning home in 1994. Michael also worked at London’s Cumberland Hotel and he became General Manager at the Commodore in 1998. “I am very fortunate in that we have without a doubt the most wonderful collection of guests of any Hotel anywhere. We have an incredible team that is a pleasure to lead and the next few years will be very exciting in the life of the Commodore. We have some very exciting development plans... watch this space.” Phone: (03) 358 8129 Email Here

Thomas 25

THOMAS PATTERSON Sales and Marketing Manager/ Director

Thomas is the third Patterson boy and the youngest of six children. After graduating with a marketing degree at Canterbury University, Thomas gained further hotel experience at the Boutique Adelphi Hotel in Melbourne before working in London’s largest five star hotel which also had owner operators. “It was great education working in a large 5 star property in the centre of London.” Thomas is married to Jo and has three children, William, Lucia and Elise. In his spare time, he is a passionate mulitsporter and has competed in The Ironman and Coast to Coast races. Phone:(03) 358 8129 Email Here

Sally 25

SALLY JURANOVICH GM's Personal Assistant

Sally has spent over 40 years in the vibrant Hospitality industry and has been here at the Commodore for 25 years. Sally is the Personal Assistant to the GM and also responsible for the Accounts Receivable Ledgers for the Patterson Hospitality Group, which she is very passionate about! Any spare time Sally can be found in their 10 acre Hazelnut block, spending time with her one grandchild and loves a round of golf! “Set your goals high and don’t stop until you get there.” Phone:(03) 357 0255 Email Here

Sue 25

SUE MARSH Conference Manager

Sue’s interest in hospitality began very young when working in her family’s restaurant chain where she developed her passion for food and service. She pursued a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management in the U.S. and has gained exposure to clientele from all around the world. With extensive working experience in the United States, Singapore and New Zealand, Sue finally settled in New Zealand, where she has worked for the past 20 years at the Commodore. Phone:(03) 357 9863 Email Here

Marc 25

MARC WOJTAS Food and Beverage Service Manager

Marc started at the Commodore as a fresh faced 19 year old back in the year of 2000. After gaining experience in different areas of the hotel he finally found his home in the food and beverage department. Marc left the Commodore in 2006 and spent several years working in the industry overseas. In 2014 he returned to the Commodore with a wealth of culinary knowledge and experience as well as a hefty credit card bill. Marc believes the Pattersons Restaurant has an opportunity to be something special and at the forefront of hospitality in not only Christchurch but also in New Zealand. Phone:(03) 358 8129 Email Here

Crystal 25

CRYSTAL TAMOU Human Resources

Crystal has spent the last 20 years working in the hospitality industry. She spent the first 5 years at the Bayview Wairakei Resort Taupo, working her way up from waitressing to being the Fairways complex manager – a restaurant, bar, night club and gaming establishment. A planned year to Australia turned into six years where she enjoyed working in remote locations such as Ayers Rock and Hamilton Island. She is now in her 8th year at the Commodore and loves the variety her role brings. In her spare time Crystal loves spending time with her Husband and two sons. “We are spoilt at the Commodore with such a great array of guests and staff. It makes everyday a pleasure to come to work as no day is the same”. Phone:(03) 358 8129 Email Here

Jagath 25

JAGATH KUMARA Executive Chef

Jagath Mudunkothge has spent the last 24 years working as a chef. He began his career in Sri Lanka before moving abroad to work in the Maldives and Dubai. A defining moment in Dubai saw him progress from Commis-3 to Executive Chef, gaining experience alongside industry professionals. His journey started at Medhufushi Resort in the Maldives before spending 16 years in Dubai’s five-star hotels, including One & Only Royal Mirage, The Address Downtown, The Address Dubai Mall, Five Palm Hotel, and JW Marriott – Palm Island. He has also won awards through the Emirates Culinary Guild (ECG), the UAE’s association of professional chefs. Jagath is excited to now be part of the Commodore family, where he can share his passion for culinary excellence. Email Here

Having grown up around the hotel as youngsters, hospitality runs through the veins of the three Patterson brothers, now second generation owners. Perhaps that’s why they know exactly what it takes to provide exceptional family accommodation in Christchurch.

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