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Concierge Preferred Advisory Council

Concierge Preferred's Advistory Council is a rotating board of 12 Chicago area concierges who review each business listing to ensure it is worthy of a concierges' recommendation.

Eden Bernal has been a concierge for nine years. Currently working at Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown, Eden first came to the United States in 1988 from the Philippines . She worked as Assistant Director at the Egyptian Tourism Board/Consular office in Chicago from 1990 to 1997. Eden then became Chef Concierge at the Holiday Inn for one year before pursuing the same position at the Allerton Crown Plaza from 1998 to 2000. Seven years ago, Eden became chef concierge at Embassy Suites where she still works today

Alfredo M. Calvia received a Bachelor's Degree of Arts in Hotel Management before becoming a concierge. Previously, he worked in catering as a cake decorator. His work was displayed in Crate & Barrel and the Tribune Food Section. Alfredo began his concierge career spending four years working as a Concierge for Hotel 71 (formerly Executive Hotel). For the past 18 years, he has worked as Chef Concierge at the Chicago City Centre Hotel & Sports Club.

Bobbi Chiodi is also a concierge at the Chicago City Centre Hotel & Sports Club. Bobbi believes that she was born to be a Concierge. Growing up in Bucktown, on the city's near Northwest Side, Bobby believes that only in Chicago does one continue life long friendships. Starting at the O'Hare Marriott, Bobbi has been a Concierge for over ten years.

Victor Colón has been in the hotel business for 20 years. He started working as a bellman, then initiated a management team at the Four Seasons Town Lake in Austin , Texas . He then became Senior Duty Manager at the Sheraton in New York , worked as Lobby Manager at the Intercontinental New York, and became a member of the New York Visitors & Convention Bureau Liaison in New York Magazine. Being a Concierge for ten years now, Victor is currently working at Intercontinental Chicago.

Lola Dee has been a concierge for twenty years. Starting out as a professional singer and recording artist with Mercury Records, Lola appeared with Bob Hope and other starts on the hit record "Only You" which sold 1/2 million copies. She also served as Illinois Chairwoman of the ALS Association (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) for two years. Lola landed her first Concierge position at the Holiday Inn at Oak Brook Terrace. She then spent 17 years at the Hyatt Regency, also in Oak Brook, before landing her current job as Concierge at the Double Tree Hotel in Oak Brook.

Fred Eberle spent many years working as an actor, singer and director in his first love: professional theatre. He spent two years in the original production of "Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up." Spending five years at the Chicago Hilton & Towers Hotel as a Concierge, Fred then worked at Presidential Towers for six and a half years, and currently works at the 900 Shops as Concierge Manager for Corporate Concierge Services. He is also a board member of the National Concierge Association.

Paula Fortney has been working as a Concierge at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers for nine years. She started there part-time in 1998 while she was working as a marketing consultant.. In 2000, Paula decided to pursue a career as a Concierge full-time, and has been at the Sheraton ever since.

Lisa Libassi studied graphic design in college before making the decision to work at a hotel because of her strong customer service background. After working at the front desk, she transferred to the concierge department. For four years, Lisa was Chef Concierge in various hotels. She is currently a corporate concierge at the largest global law firm, DLA Piper US LLP, and has been there for the past four years.

Douglas Pickett is currently the Chef Concierge at the Hilton Chicago . He moved to Chicago after spending a year and half in Hawaii . Working in retail and customer service before joining the Hilton Chicago in 2002, Douglas started working at the hotel as a GSA. After three months, he became Executive Floor Concierge. Two years later, he worked as FO Supervisor before taking over as Chef Concierge at the Hilton in 2005.