Arrivals and Departures

Arrivals Lounge 01

Name: Jeremy Gibb
Nationality: British
Family: Married with two children
Personality: Driven, committed, sociable
Job Title: Partner
Company: Norton Rose
Arrived in Japan: February, 2008
Moved From: London, UK
Reasons for moving to Japan: To add banking expertise to our new office to be opened as soon as the Ministry of Justice license is granted—which is expected imminently.
Business objectives in Japan: As a new office, to grow a sustainable business on the ground in Japan and to be instrumental in increasing the levels of Japan-source business throughout our global network.
Reaction on being asked to move to Japan: Delighted. I very much enjoyed working in Asia previously and was keen to return. I’ve visited Japan many times, both on business and for pleasure and I look forward to discovering more.
Hobbies: I play real tennis, which is unusual. Unfortunately, the nearest court to Tokyo is in Melbourne. I am also very keen on good food and wine.

Arrivals Lounge 02

Name: Alain Piraux
Nationality: US
Family: Married with one son
Personality: Enthusiastic, friendly, competitive
Job Title: Hotel Manager
Company: The Ritz-Carlton
Arrived in Japan: May, 2008
Moved From: Virginia, US (The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner)
Looking forward to: Learning the culture and traditions and expanding my horizons
Business objectives in Japan: To make The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, a first class place for guests to stay and employees to work.
Reaction on being asked to move to Japan: Overwhelmed initially. However, I have always wanted to work in Japan and have heard so many great things about the professionalism of the residents and their striving for perfection. I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to work in such a great city!
Motto: Do not be afraid to make mistakes, take some risks!

Arrivals Lounge 03

Name: Shaun Conroy
Nationality: New Zealand
Family: Married with two children
Personality: Straightforward, honest, open
Job Title: Director, North East Asia, Japan & Korea
Company: New Zealand Trade & Enterprise
Arrived in Japan: Came back to Japan after almost 5 years absence in February 2008
Moved From: Brisbane, Australia
Looking forward to: The scope and scale of the Japanese economy, the competitive nature of the market and range of projects I will be working on.
Business objectives in Japan: I am the regional Director for Japan & Korea for NZ Trade & Enterprise. My responsibility is for developing regional strategy, managing high level relationships and delivering on a number of high impact initiatives for NZ businesses.
Reaction on being asked to move to Japan: Fantastic!
Motto: Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

Departure Lounge 01

Name: Matthias Terrettaz
Nationality: Swiss
Family: Married
Personality: Competitive, caring, creative
Job Title: Assistant Director, Food & Beverage
Company: The Ritz-Carlton
Arrived in Japan: January 2007
Moving to: Doha, Qatar
Happiest moment in Japan: The day we opened the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo
Lessons learned in the Japanese market: Be humble, patient, and extremely clear and precise while giving instruction.
Hobbies/Interests: Photography, running, watches & wine collection
Motto: The world wants results, not explanations.
If you can deliver, then you won’t have to explain.
If you can’t deliver, explanations will not make any difference.

Departure Lounge 02

Name: Dan Petersen
Nationality: US
Family: Married, with three kids
Personality: Optimistic, enthusiastic, involved
Job Title: Managing Principal, Operations & Japan, ZS Associates
Company: ZS Associates
Arrived in Japan: August, 2003
Moving to: Illinois, US (ZS’s HQ)
Lessons learned in the Japanese market: Look and listen carefully to discover people’s real concerns. Get wide support internally before trying to implement.
Hobbies/Interests: History, travel, aviation, cuisine.
Special talent: Private pilot, with both US and Japan licenses.
Motto: Experience as much of life, the world, and its people as I can, with my family.