Staff Profile

Mitesh Sangani is the Conference Center Manager at the Main Library. He brings a rich experience to his position, as you can see. He recently was named Employee of the Third Quarter and was a winner of R&R's Enable Others to Act.

Q: You’ve been with JPL about four years. What professional background prepared you to be the Conference Center Manager?

A: I started working in the hospitality industry at the age of 16; my first job was cleaning rooms at my father’s Days Inn property in Newberry, South Carolina. I have also worked with the Holiday Inn and Cendant group of Hotels within the United States. After graduating from the University of South Carolina, I moved back to London in 1993 and starting working at the Royal Lancaster Hotel and eventually ended up at the London Elizabeth Hotel as the Duty Manager. In Sydney, Australia I worked briefly at the Wentworth Hotel as a bartender until I returned to London and started working as a Business Development Manager for Crown Venue Catering (Crown Group). I earned a distinction with the Crown Group after helping the company win and retain their long term multi-million pound contracts at various professional soccer clubs (Tottenham Hotspur, Birmingham City, and Fulham). I also worked at some prestigious venues in London, such as Church House (Westminster Abbey), Gibson Hall, (left) and 2 Michelin Star restaurant Midsummer House in Cambridge. In 2003, I booked an event with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce. I moved to the United States in 2004 and started working with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida before joining JPL in 2006.

Q: What kinds of organizations or individuals use the Main Library Conference Center?

A: Various nonprofit groups such as the American Institute of Architects, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the United Way, and the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce host annual events at the Main Library. We have a thriving wedding clientele with over 20 weddings per year for the last three years , in addition to our celebrity visitors such as Presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani, Jenna Bush during her UNICEF book tour, renowned American pianist Roger Williams and celebrity chef Paula Deen.

Q: You manage the Conference Center with limited staff. How do you do that when there are one, two, or three events scheduled concurrently?

A: Managing the Conference Center is a very challenging position; we make it work with a dedicated and ambitious team effort. Will Daniels (far right) has over 15 years of hospitality experience in hotels, catering and banqueting. Chris James(extreme left, Mitesh Sangani & Frank Smith, who recently passed away) has been with the Main Library for over four years and has a great working knowledge of the building. Our part-time staff (past and present) blend in and work well without supervision. Currently, Sheldon Wright is our part-time helper but previously the position was held by Joe Napier (Main-Circulation) and Nathan Fuller (West Regional-Circulation). We also receive key logistical support from the Administration team led by Barrett King, Carolyn Williams, Ava Barrett and Luis Flores.

Q: What is the funniest or most unusual situation you have encountered with the myriad of people you have dealt with?

A: While working at the London Elizabeth Hotel, built originally from three town houses in 1850 and rumored to be haunted, I once found a naked guest roaming around the hotel just after midnight on Christmas Eve, who was staying in the Lord Greville Janner suite, named after a former member of parliament and current member of the House of Lords. The guest claimed to be going for a walk at nearby Hyde Park to feed the ducks!

Q: Do you have a favorite pastime, book, or author?

A: When I’m not working, I like to spend time with my son, Rohan (pictured above with Mitesh), enjoy going on weekend road trips with the family, and occasionally play golf. My favorite book is The Odessa File, by Frederick Forsyth.