SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Hotel & Lodging Association announced their 2011 Stars of the Industry award winners at the Balboa Bay Beach Club & Resort in Newport Beach, CA. The Stars of the Industry awards, presented by USA TODAY, were given out under five property and five individual categories, including a new award this year, the Women In Lodging Leader of the Year award, which recognizes a woman in the lodging industry who has stepped up as a leader and a role model within the hotel community.

The winners of the Lodging Employee of the Year awards were:
Luis Becerra, Maintenance Supervisor - Glorietta Bay Inn, Coronado
Martha Moreira-Sanabria, Turndown Attendant - Montage Hotel, Beverly Hills
Virginia Baker, Lead Concierge - Monterey Marriott, Monterey

Manager of the Year:
Diane Moreno, Head Housekeeper – Groveland Hotel, Groveland
Kate Bock, Director of Human Resources – Westin Verasa, Napa
James Buchanan Sr., Executive Steward – Hyatt Grand Champions Resort, Indian Wells
Richard Hernandez, Human Resources Director – Hyatt Regency, Sacramento

General Manager of the Year:
Alison Cooper – Comfort Suites Barstow, Barstow
Cally Dym – Little River Inn, Little River
Steve Viscio – Larkspur Hotel on Union Square, San Francisco
Michael Pace – W San Francisco, San Francisco

The Stevan Porter Emerging Hospitality Leader of Year award winner was:
Robert Shinn, Associate Director of Welcome Office – W Los Angeles Westwood, Los Angeles

WIL Connect Leader of the Year award winner was:
Hee-Won Lim, General Manager – Pacific Palms Golf & Conference Center, City of Industry

A Community Service award went to:
The Westin Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego

Guest Relations awards went to:
Magic Castle Hotel, Hollywood
Galleria Park Hotel, San Francisco

Special Event - Ongoing:
Holiday Inn, Torrance

Good Earthkeeping award winners were:
Bardessono Inn & Spa, Yountville
The Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, San Diego

The Technology Innovation of the Year award recognizes a member that has used advances in technology to optimize its performance regarding guest services, cost reduction and/or revenue growth. This year’s award winner was:
The Chancellor Hotel on Union Square, San Francisco

The Hotels that Help Special Recognition Award winner was:
The Goodnight Foundation, Del Rey Oaks

“The California Hotel & Lodging Association is very proud of these individuals and properties,” said CH&LA President & CEO Lynn Mohrfeld. “Our congratulations go out to each award winner for their first-rate and notable contributions to the industry.”