Meet our team
PRESIDENT & FOUNDER,
MICHAEL DIPERI
With over 38 years of experience, Michael DiPeri has dedicated his career to educating, enriching, and inspiring hospitality professionals. His passion for hospitality began after graduating from Farmingdale State College SUNY on Long Island, where he quickly advanced through sales and service roles. In 1997, Michael founded Yipeee, Inc., an event resource company offering consulting, staffing, and event management services for industry leaders and celebrity chefs.
Michael’s drive to innovate led to the creation of Giggo, an enterprise event software designed to manage and book service professionals. In 2012, he and his wife Karen launched HMG+, New York’s premier event staffing company, with a mission to elevate the hospitality industry.
A lifelong learner, Michael continuously pursues professional certifications in safety, service, and leadership. He has developed groundbreaking training programs and led multi-day sessions for over 1,000 students, demonstrating his commitment to empowering hospitality professionals and fostering extraordinary experiences.
DIRECTOR OF TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT,
STEPHEN RUGGIERI
An accomplished event manager and training leader, Stephen Ruggieri discovered his passion for hospitality at a young age, inspired by his grandfather’s role managing Rhode Island’s Alpine Country Club, where every guest felt like a VIP—including Louis Armstrong. Stephen later honed his skills at The University of Rhode Island, focusing on business and development while gaining experience in event planning, production, training, and hospitality leadership, including serving as Head of Hospitality for Bloomberg L.P.
Stephen’s career highlights include serving esteemed figures like the Dalai Lama, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Donna Karan, Diana Ross, and Giorgio Armani. He also played a key role in high-profile projects, such as the grand opening of Atlantis in Dubai with Colin Cowie and Saul Kerzner.
With over 25 years of experience, Stephen now channels his expertise into developing AHA’s courses and certifications. As Director of Training and Development, he creates accessible learning frameworks designed to instill compassion, confidence, and excellence in hospitality professionals.
SERVICE success MANAGER,
JULIA TRAVIS
A vibrant Oregon native, Julia Travis is passionate about guiding others with a steady hand and an open heart. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Portland State University, she holds a B.S. in Psychology and Philosophy, reflecting her dedication to understanding human connection and thought.
With over three years of bartending experience, Julia has mastered the art of creating welcoming environments and delivering exceptional service. Her transition into training combines her academic background with her hospitality expertise, making her a natural fit for this role.
Now based in New York, Julia serves as a Service Success Manager, using her knowledge and passion to educate and inspire others in the industry. She believes meaningful interactions are the foundation of excellent service and strives to positively impact the lives of her clients and colleagues through her work.
MANAGER OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT,
LOUIS GALLEGOS
Rooted in the care and hospitality of Midwestern culture, Louis has built a career dedicated to leadership, growth, and teaching in the hospitality industry. A lifelong commitment to learning and mentoring has shaped his passion for inspiring teams and delivering exceptional service.
With extensive experience in hospitality and the restaurant industry, Louis has worked with renowned companies and played a key role in opening restaurants in major cities such as Chicago, New York, Nashville, and Miami. These opportunities have allowed him to train staff across the country, emphasizing excellence, empathy, and adaptability in every interaction.
Specializing in food safety and allergy awareness, Louis is a certified ServSafe proctor committed to elevating industry standards. His focus on education fosters a culture of knowledge and preparedness, empowering teams to prioritize guest safety and well-being. Through his dedication to teaching, Louis aims to create safer, more inclusive, and thoughtful guest experiences.