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VHTA 2009
Outstanding Industry Awards
Winners were announced during VHTA's Annual Meeting Oct. 25-27, 2009
VHTA TRAVEL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR, THE CHARLIE BUSER AWARD
Sergei Troubetzkoy
Director of Tourism Bedford, VA
This award category recognizes exemplary action and dedication by an employee of a VHTA travel member. This award is named for Charlie Buser, who set the highest of standards in dedication and love of this industry.
VHTA GOLDEN PINEAPPLE AWARD
Rebecca Leo
Guest Services Manager, BF Saul Company’s Courtyard by Marriott, McLean, VA
This award category recognizes an individual or member company that shows exemplary involvement, dedication and support for the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association. This category includes all components.
RESTAURANT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Lisa Gatewood
Area Manager-Catering, King’s Dominion, Doswell, VA
This award category recognizes exemplary action and dedication by a Manager of a VHTA restaurant member.
LODGING EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Newton Gillespie
Assistant Host, Guests Inc, Comfort Inn, Staunton, VA
This award category recognizes exemplary action and dedication by an employee of a VHTA lodging member.
LODGING MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Amandu Bathiley
Chief Engineer, at BF Saul Company’s, Courtyard by Marriott, McLean, VA
This award category recognizes exemplary action and dedication by a Manager of a VHTA lodging member.
GREEN FOOTPRINT AWARD
Tom Gates
Gen. Mgr, BF Saul Company’s Holiday Inn National Airport, Arlington, VA
This award category recognizes exemplary action and dedication by a VHTA member to GO GREEN. This member is environmentally conscious and actively encourages other industry members to make positive changes for the environment. This category represents all components.
RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
William Lopez
Busman-Dishwasher, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Manassas, VA
This award category recognizes exemplary action and dedication by an employee of a VHTA restaurant member.
NRA Awards
About the NRA Restaurant Neighbor Award
The National Restaurant Association and founding partner American Express are pleased to honor restaurant companies that have gone above and beyond in giving back to their communities through the Restaurant Neighbor Award program. The National Restaurant Association and founding partner American Express are pleased to honor restaurant companies that have gone above and beyond in giving back to their communities through the Restaurant Neighbor Award program.
NRA Restaurant Neighbor Award, The Cornestone Humanitarian:
Jim Wordsworth
Owner of J.R.’s Goodtimes Inc. McClean, VA
Running a restaurant is demanding, but Jim Wordsworth, owner and founder of J.R.’s Goodtimes always finds time to give back to his community. For 30 years, the National Restaurant Association board member has been involved in many aspects of his community. He has donated land for a YMCA camp; hosted a KidsServe2 event for children whose family members serve abroad in the military; and he helped promote tourism in his area by procuring a $2 million to establish and operate a convention and visitors bureau. He has been named YMCA corporate volunteer of the year and was recognized by the National Philanthropic Society with Most Benevolent Small Business Award.
NRA Restaurant Neighbor Award for “Small Businesses”
Commodore Theatre
Portsmouth, VA
As pet owners, the Commodore Theatre owners were distraught when they found out about the dire financial situation of their local humane society. They wanted to help and decided to use their restaurant to get the word out. Commodore Theatre hosted fundraisers to donate a much-needed telephone system and install lighting and heating equipment in the shelter. They also convinced the city government to allocate an additional $74,000 to the Porstmouth Humane Society in the budget.
NRA Restaurant Neighbor Award for “Medium Businesses”
Great American Restaurants
Falls Church, VA
The death of Bill Jackson, a chef at one of Great American Restaurants (GAR), inspired his team members to create a scholarship in his honor. The restaurant partnered with L’Acedemie de Cuisine, a local culinary school, to create the Bill Jackson Culinary Scholarship and reward people who demonstrate culinary excellence and a passion for the food service industry, just as Bill did. The company raises money for local charities by donating 25 cents from the sale of desserts. Part of the funds will support this new scholarship fund. In 2007, GAR donated $116,000 to nine different charities bringing the total donated to more than $600,000 since 2002.
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