California Hotel & Lodging Association Announces 2013 Stars of the Industry Award Winners

The California Hotel & Lodging Association announced their 2013 Stars of the Industry award winners today at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa. The annual Stars of the Industry awards, presented by USA TODAY, are given out to honor lodging employees and properties that best symbolize the quality service of the industry. The 2013 awards were given out for four property and six individual categories.

Lodging Employee of the Year:

Andrew McLaurin, Senior Front Desk Agent – Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa, Sausalito
LaMont Simonaro, Maintenance – SeaCrest Ocean Front Hotel, Pismo Beach
Matt Leonhardt, Concierge – Hyatt Regency Sacramento, Sacramento

Outstanding Manager of the Year:

Fe Herron, Housekeeping Manager – Glorietta Bay Inn, Coronado
Olivia Rodriguez, Executive Housekeeper – Chancellor Hotel on Union Square, San Francisco
Charles Connell, Executive Chef – Doubletree Hotel Sacramento, Sacramento
John Bernier, Director of Human Resources – Hilton San Francisco, San Francisco

General Manager of the Year:

Stefan Muhle – Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa, Sausalito
Jody Blackinton – Courtyard Marriott Downtown, San Diego
Jon Kimball – The Westin St. Francis, San Francisco

The HD Supply Housekeeping Award went to:

Julia Castro, Laundry Supervisor – The US Grant Hotel, San Diego

The Stevan Porter Emerging Hospitality Leader of Year award winner was:

Kelly Rafferty, Front Desk Manager – The Westin St. Francis, San Francisco

WIL Connect Leader of the Year award winner was:

Caroline Dyal, General Manager – Canary Hotel, Santa Barbara

The Technology Innovation award went to:

Galleria Park Hotel, San Francisco

Community Service awards went to:

Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa, Sausalito
Hilton Los Angeles Airport, Los Angeles

Guest Relations awards went to:

Glorietta Bay Inn, Coronado
Andez San Diego, San Diego

Special Event – Ongoing:

Hotel Palomar Westwood, Los Angeles

Good Earthkeeping award winners were:

Courtyard by Marriott, San Diego
The Huntington Hotel, San Francisco

“The California Hotel & Lodging Association is proud to recognize these individuals and properties,” said CH&LA President & CEO Lynn Mohrfeld.

“Our congratulations go out to each award winner for their dedication and outstanding contributions to the California lodging industry.”