Little Rock, AR (February 26, 2013) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- The 13th Annual AHA Stars of the Industry Awards Gala is a time to celebrate and recognize the successes and leaders in hospitality. The following recipients were honored at a star-studded dinner and awards ceremony on Monday, February 25, 2013 at the Clinton Presidential Center. Over 200 industry people mixed and mingled to live music by local band, Dizzy Seven. Montine McNulty, Executive Director says, “Everyone that is nominated is deserving of these awards. We value all of these employees because they are the backbone of the industry.” The Michael Award: Tourism Region of the Year
Named after Michael Dandurand – in honor of his years of service to all 12 regions of the state: Arkansas South
Michael Scholarship Recipient: James Aaron Kerr, Arkansas Tech, Russellville
Awarded to a student pursuing a Degree in Hospitality Studies
Front of House Employee of the Year: Lee Bland, Wyndham Riverfront, North Little Rock
Heart of House Employee of the Year: Jamaica Callaway, Hampton Inn, Russellville
Manager of the Year: Carla Short, Can-U-Canoe, Eureka Springs
Silver Cup Award: Mike Mills, Buffalo Outdoor Center/Riverwind Lodge, Ponca
Salut au Restaurateur: Mike Coats, Mike’s Place, Conway
Golden Key: Kurt Schatzl, Embassy Suites, Hot Springs
One Arkansas Hospitality Association member with distinguished records of service to the Arkansas hospitality industry was inducted as honorees into the Arkansas Hospitality Hall of Fame: Linda Scroggin, CJRW, Little Rock
The Maurice E. Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award that was established in 1995 was given to an Arkansas Hospitality Association member who has given twenty or more years of outstanding service to the Arkansas Hospitality Association. It has only been given four times prior, and hasn’t been given since 2008:
Maurice E. Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award: Bob Coleman, Coleman Dairy, Little Rock
Front of House Employee of the Year Honorees:
Louis Short - Can-U-Canoe Rental Cabins, Eureka Springs
Tony Brown - Embassy Suites, Hot Springs
Cody Hill - Peabody Hotel, Little Rock
Lonnie Keys - Hometown Hotel, Bryant
Mandy Johnson - Lodge at Mount Magazine, Paris
Lee Bland - Wyndham Riverfront, North Little Rock
Darrell Holt - Embassy Suites, Little Rock
Yesica Estrada - Embassy Suites, Rogers
Heart of House Employee of the Year Honorees:
Laycell Wiggins - Southland Park Gaming & Racing, West Memphis
Jamaica Callaway - Hampton Inn, Russellville
Julie Burrus - Hometown Hotel, Bryant
Sara Callejas - Best Western Plus JFK Inn & Suites, North Little Rock
Lisa Hampton - Lodge at Mount Magazine, Paris
Elizabeth Heitzman - Austin Convention Hotel & Spa, Hot Springs
Gina Golden - Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa, Mt. Ida
Carol Dolan - Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau
Michael Edgerson - Peabody Hotel, Little Rock
Ann Grimm - Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, Hot Springs
Ivan Salgado - Embassy Suites, Rogers
Manager of the Year Honorees:
Carla Short - Can-U-Canoe Rental Cabins, Eureka Springs
Amanda Burchett - Southland Park Gaming & Racing, West Memphis
Tom & Judy Adam - Guesthouse Inn, Little Rock
David Henry - Comfort Suites, Jonesboro
Brenda Williams - Best Western Premier Governor Suites, Little Rock
Jonathan Dearasaugh - Peabody Hotel, Little Rock
Tricia Bradley - Lookout Point Lakeside Inn, Hot Springs
Ginny Moulton - Embassy Suites, Little Rock
Richard Moore - Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, Hot Springs
Carol Wyrick - Hilton Garden Inn, North Little Rock
THANK YOU to our sponsors: Ben E. Keith, Clinton Presidential Center, Floral Express, Glazer’s Distributors of Arkansas, Heartland Payment Systems, Jason Burt Photography, and Little Rock Convention Visitors Bureau.
ABOUT ARKANSAS HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION
The Arkansas Hospitality Association (AHA) is the official voice of the restaurant and entertainment, hotel and lodging, and travel and tourism industries in the state of Arkansas. The association serves as an umbrella organization for the Arkansas Lodging Association, the Arkansas Restaurant Association and the Arkansas Travel Council. Members include restaurants, bars, hotels, lodges,
AHA CONTACT: Holly Heer, Director of Membership Sales & Special Events holly@arhospitality.org, 501.376.2323
MEDIA CONTACT: Montine McNulty, Executive Director montine@arhospitality.org, 501.376.2323
