Byline: JENNIFER JIGGETTS
By Jennifer Jiggetts
The Virginian-Pilot
During National Tourism Week, which concludes Sunday, Hampton Roads cities honored several dozen individuals who work in the hospitality industry. Here's a list of winners as reported by tourism officials in those cities:
Chesapeake: Tourism Professional of the Year, Gary LeBlanc, Hilton Garden Inn; First Impression Award Sales, Angela Morrissey, Homewood Suites by Hilton; First Impression Award Hotel, Mia Freeman, Courtyard Marriott Chesapeake; First Impression Award Attraction, Cathy L. Floyd, Northwest River Park; Silver Spoon Award - Restaurant, Christy Snyder, Jason's Deli; Silver Spoon Award - Hotel/Meeting Center, Erica Hicks, Hilton Garden Inn; White Glove Award, Hope Minter, Chesapeake Conference Center.
Norfolk: Admission/Box office, Abby Dotson, Nauticus; Banquets, Linda Pearson, Norfolk Waterside Marriott; Bartender, Janet Fittro, Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel; Bellman, Ronald Morgan, Hilton Norfolk Airport Hotel; Concierge/Docent/Tour Guide, Otha Dunn, the Chrysler Museum of Art; Custodian/Maintenance, Gerald Martin, City of Norfolk (Seven Venues); Front Desk (Hospitality), Debra Berry, Radisson Hotel Norfolk; Front Desk (Commercial), Anise Conner, Decker, Cardon, Thomas, Weintraub, & Neskis; Friend of the NCVB-Front Desk, Joyce Gibbs, the Doubletree Hotel Norfolk Airport; Housekeeper, Ronnie Bailey, Sheraton Norfolk Waterside; Kitchen, Marlon 'Hollywood' Manyweather, D'egg Diner; Parking Attendant, Keisha Williams, City of Norfolk Parking Division; Public Safety Ambassador, Deborah Moyler, the Downtown Norfolk Council; Retail, Kelly Bracilano, the Market at Harbor Heights; Transportation, John Reid (Bus Operator), HRT; Valet, Vincent Navarre, Central Parking System at MacArthur Center; Volunteer Groups, Norfolk International Airport Volunteer Ambassadors; Waiter/Waitress, Catherine 'Cat' Kaisler, 456 Fish; Zoo Ambassadors Honorable Mention, Neka and Granby (Lion Cubs), the Virginia Zoo.
Portsmouth: Best Hotel Housekeeper of the Year, Nancy Williams, Holiday Inn Olde Towne; Best Hotel Restaurant Worker of the Year, Rosemary Jones, Holiday Inn Olde Towne; Best Hotel Front Desk Worker of the Year, Shannon Gibson, Renaissance hotel; Best Overall Hotel Worker of the Year, Jenise Hylton, Renaissance; Best Retail Worker of the Year, Danielle Heath, Plumeria; Best Attraction Worker of the Year, Gerry Ahles, Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum; Best Restaurant Worker of the Year (outside of a hotel), Rachael Brooks, Lobscouser; Best Visitor Center Worker of the Year, Nancy Lassiter, Portsmouth Visitor Information Center.
Virginia Beach: Special Recognition: Susan Long, Norfolk Airport; Public Service, Juanita Demastus, Virginia Beach Convention Center; Volunteer, Pat Gorski, Convention & Visitors Bureau; Volunteer, Ray Gorski, Convention & Visitors Bureau; Attractions, Derek Leonidoff, Beachstreet USA; Transportation, Deborah Willoughby, Fun Tours; Retail, Ruby Weber, Please & Thank You; Bartender, Nancy Morgan, Catch 31 at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront; Busser, Demarris Bowden, Max & Erma's at the Doubletree Hotel; Chef, Greg Hopkins, Croc's 19th Street Bistro; Dishwasher, Phillip Cochlin, Lynnhaven Fish House; Host/Hostess, Edna Wills, Swan Terrace - Founder's Inn; Host/Hostess, Anita Ortiz, Laverne's Beef & Seafood Restaurant; Manager, Milene Gengler, Bad Ass Coffee; Prep Person, Darrell Walton, Beach Bully Restaurant; Wait Staff, Crystal Ososkie, Lynnhaven Fish House; Cook, Nikoles Aristy, Croc's 19th Street Bistro; Valet, John Kane, Rudee's Restaurant; Activities/Spa/Fitness, Julie Davidson, Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center; Banquet/Catering, Ramona Vazquez, Quality Inn & Suites Oceanfront; Clerical/Front Office, Cherie Gohr, Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront; Front Desk, Michael Willis, Days Inn at the Beach; Housekeeping, Sharon Goffigan, Howard Johnson; Kitchen, Bonifacio Herrera, Founders Inn & Spa; Maintenance, Bill Loyd, Quality Inn & Suites Oceanfront; Sales Manager, Cheryl Wolfe, Virginia Beach Resort Hotel & Conference Center; Valet, Omari Alexander, Cavalier Hotel.
Jennifer Jiggetts, (757) 446-2643, jennifer.jiggetts@pilotonline.com
