HELRA Board Member

Russell “Russ” Melaragni is the Chief Operating Officer for the Hotel Employers Labor Relations Association (HELRA).  A 40-year veteran of the hospitality industry, he is also the President of The Melaragni Consulting Group which focuses on Human Resources Consulting. 

Prior to joining HELRA and forming his consulting practice, Russ spent 29 years with Hyatt Hotels Corporation in a variety of senior leadership Human Resources roles in North America.  He was most recently the Regional Director of Human Resources Operations where he provided consultative services with an emphasis on departmental operations excellence to hotels throughout the Americas region. 

His prior role was Vice President, Colleague Relations for the Americas where he was responsible for the overall culture and engagement in 200 hotels.  During this assignment, Hyatt was recognized as a Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work for®.  Additionally, he oversaw Human Resources for over 50 Hyatt Place & Hyatt house hotels in North America.

Before moving into the colleague relations leadership role, Russ was the Vice President, Labor Relations for North America, a position he held for 10 years.  He managed all aspects of collective bargaining as well as developed labor strategies and oversaw union avoidance campaigns. 

Prior to his labor relations role, Russ was a Divisional Director of Human Resources in the Midwest, Canada and the Reservations Call Center.  He also held a similar position encompassing hotels in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.  Russ began his Hyatt career as a Regional Director of Human Resources in the Northeast and Director of Human Resources at the Grand Hyatt New York.

Before joining Hyatt, Russ was with ITT Sheraton where he held senior human resource positions in Washington DC, Bal Harbour, FL, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Russ currently serves as a management trustee on the UniteHere Health Fund, San Francisco Culinary, Bartenders and Service Employees Welfare and Legal Services Funds, and the UniteHere Chicago Legal Fund. He is a prior co-chair of the American Hotel and Lodging Association Labor Sub- Committee. He is also on the Appointed Board of Directors for The School of Hospitality Business Alumni Association at his alma mater, Michigan State University.

Russ has two adult children and resides in Indiana.