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Lodging Association Stars of the Industry Award |
Chicago, Ill., April 6, 2001 - Nine industry employees received awards
during the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Stars of
the Industry Awards breakfast, sponsored by Visa U.S.A. The awards
presentation was part of the AH&LA Annual Conference & Leadership
Forum/The Lodging Expo held at the Hilton Chicago, April 4 - 6.
Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year award winners are:
Jeff Gascon, who won in the medium size property category, is the activities director at the Radisson Resort and Spa. He took over the summer kids campaign and doubled participation and guest satisfaction scores. One of the most versatile employees, Gascon has worked in several other departments within the hotel, including engineering, PBX, belldesk, concierge, security, and food and beverage. The winner in the large size property category, Julvette Price, is a security officer at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel Price. She has received accolades from the Safety Coalition of the Downtown Partnership for her vigilance as an active leader in her community. Price is a registered foster parent, and she and daughter, Kelly, teach sex education at local high schools. In addition, Price helped organize a group of co-workers to raise money for breast cancer research. Outstanding Manager of the Year award winners are:
The winner in the medium size property category, D. Bruce Garrison is director of corporate and social events in the catering office of The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Va. Garrison, who has been a member of the management team since 1991, is responsible for coordinating high-profile functions and events. He contributes much of his personal time to numerous charitable organizations throughout Richmond. Tying in the large size property category were Valerie Friend and Gerald Gibson. Friend, nominated by the entire front desk staff of the Westin La Paloma, was cited with �changing the front desk dramatically since becoming manager.� Frequently requested by guests, she has added incentive programs and awards and always projects a positive attitude. Friend also volunteers for the United Way, and at her encouragement, her department now �adopts� a family each year. Gerald Gibson, a security supervisor at Hyatt Regency for seven years, is extremely effective in the hotel�s loss prevention efforts. And, by positioning himself at the hotel�s entrance, he is viewed by guests and employees as a concierge or guest service ambassador. Outstanding General Manager of the Year award winners are:
The winner in the medium size property category, James R. Allmand III, vice president and general manager of the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, has been with the property for eight years. Under his leadership, the hotel has produced an unprecedented 600 percent growth in total hotel revenue, 600 percent growth in earnings before taxes, and 100 percent growth in average rate. Richard A. Masucci, the winner in the large size property category, has been with Hyatt Hotels for 20 years and general manager of the Hyatt Regency Bethesda for 13 years. Under Masucci�s leadership, the hotel is involved in many community service projects, including the annual Bethesda/Chevy Chase Goodwill Dinner, the Montgomery County Community Service Day, and the Open Door Shelter. Many of AH&LA�s member state associations choose their own employee award winners, who are then submitted to the association�s for national judging. Making the decisions in this year�s competition were Robert Nozar, editor, Hotel & Motel Management; Ed Watkins, editor, Lodging Hospitality; and Toni Giovanetti, managing editor, MyLeisureTime.com. AH&LA, founded in 1910, is a federation of state lodging associations throughout the United States, with some 11,000 property members worldwide, representing more than 1.4 million rooms. AH&LA provides operations, technical, educational, marketing, and communications services plus governmental affairs representation to the lodging industry.
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Tia T. Gordon Manager of Communications American Hotel & Lodging Association (202) 289-3153 [email protected] http://www.ahlaonline.org |