He was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and is predeceased by parents Otto and Bernice Koci.
He graduated from Bogan High School and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics from the University of Illinois -Chicago and then in 1983 received a Master’s in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University – Dallas.
In June 1970, he joined the Marine Corps National Guard where he served his country for six years.
Employed by Hilton Hotels Corporation from 1966 to 2006, his roles included Front Office Manager at The Palmer House Chicago Il, Executive Assistant Manager at the Philadelphia Hilton, and General Manager at the Dallas, Los Angeles and Hawaii Hilton locations.
In 1986 he was awarded an executive role as Director of Operations at Hilton Headquarters in Beverly Hills, California and eventually secured the position as Senior Vice President of Operations until his retirement.
Upon his retirement, Dennis actively continued sharing his innate passion for excellent customer service via several business ventures.
He authored the book “Give Yourself a Number”, which accentuates the value of anticipating, and taking action towards, a customer’s needs even before they realize they have any.
He created a Hospitality Performance Management Consulting Firm where, among his many services, he could be hired as an expert witness for both hotel personnel and guests alike, in any related legal matters they were involved with.
In addition, Dennis frequently lectured at the California State University on Applied Management Practices and taught business courses at the University of Hawaii as well as other hospitality industry venues.
He was also involved in his community in many ways. He embraced his love of animals by supporting several animal causes, such as being a member of Best Friends Animal Society, which leads the No Kill LA initiative. While at Hilton, he was instrumental in forming the partnership between Hilton Hotels and the organization RESTORE which, by working together, successfully rebuilt a women’s shelter that had burned to the ground. He was also an annual competitor in the LA marathon.
Dennis is survived by his fiancée Eri Nakamura, his brother Wayne and wife Nancy Koci, niece Shawna and husband Michael Ruggiero and son, niece Erin and husband Edward Lidy and daughter, and their beloved extended family members, as well as lifelong friends, to whom he was lovingly devoted to.
Dennis celebrated life well. He will be remembered by teaching us to “Live, Laugh and Love every day of our lives”.
He will be missed dearly and forever by his friends and family.
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