Kennedy was hired in July 1999 as a van driver at the Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport and was promoted to the engineering department, transferring to the Embassy Suites Downtown St. Paul location in 2008 after displaying a long-standing capacity and desire to learn quickly.  Kennedy also won the Twin Cities Hospitality Scholarship in both 2007 and 2008.  In his spare time, he is active in the community and enjoys playing drums in a band.  Currently attending Hennepin Technical College, Kennedy has big dreams for his future and how his education can benefit Embassy Suites.

�Craig Kennedy has been an indispensable resource to Embassy Suites since the day he started working for us.  His determination and desire to learn and grow have truly aided him as he furthers his education and position within the company,� says Hotel Manager William Gheen.  �Although we�re sad to see him transfer to the Downtown St. Paul location, we are proud of him for advancing and know that the education he is afforded thanks to the Bollenbach Family Scholarship will take him far in life.�
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Craig Kennedy (left) and the hotel manager of the Embassy Suites, William Gheen

Bollenbach was raised by a family who weathered tough times � his father delivered milk and his mother worked in a factory; they came to California from Oklahoma during the Great Depression and believed that success came via attending college.  Realizing that his financial and professional success was due to receiving a great education, Bollenbach chose to give some of the money he earned back to his Hilton teammates with some stiff criteria in place.  Employees must have been full-time employees for at least three years, with dependents of employees are eligible as well.  Tuition and books that are not covered by any other financial aid are provided, but eligibility for the scholarship is �need and ability based,� meaning that an applicant must have the grades and test scores to be admitted to a college and must also be someone who would otherwise not be able to afford college.  

The scholarship recipient may attend any college or university and must carry a full-time class load, but in order to be considered, employees should be active in their community, gain academic achievements, and participate in extracurricular activities such as sports or the arts.  If an employee or their dependent is chosen, grades and adequate academic performance are expected to continue and will be followed and reported to other Hilton team members.  

�I�m really excited about this,� says Bollenbach.  �I also expect a lot in the way of performance.  It�s a big commitment� for me, and for the people whom we select.  But if it works � and I expect we�ll be successful � we can change people�s lives.�  

Guests who choose Embassy Suites should be comfortable knowing that they are staying with a group of hotels who put a focus on education and career development.  Guests already get it all with expansive two-room suites, a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast and nightly Manager�s Reception** with great food and drinks to help travelers unwind.  With 195 hotels throughout the U.S., Canada and Latin America, guests can find suites and event space to accommodate their out-of-town guests, corporate meetings and events, weddings, reunions, celebrations, and various other group functions.   

About Embassy Suites Hotels
Founded in 1984, Embassy Suites Hotels defines the upscale, all-suite segment and today has 195 hotels, with an additional 60 in the pipeline. With spacious two-room suites, engaging team members and an inviting atrium environment, guests are allowed to put their feet up and feel right at home. To learn more, visit www.embassysuites.com.  

Hilton Hotels Corporation is the leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,000 hotels and 500,000 rooms in 74 countries and territories, including 135,000 team members worldwide. The company owns, manages or franchises a hotel portfolio of some of the best known and highly regarded brands, including Hilton®, Conrad® Hotels & Resorts,  Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations�, Homewood Suites by Hilton® and The Waldorf=Astoria Collection�. **Service of alcohol subject to state and local laws. Must be of legal drinking age. 

Melissa Giarrosso/Dawn Ray      
Embassy Suites Brand Communications  
[email protected]    
(901) 374-6423