Embassy Suites by Hilton HS employee named Manager of the Year
The 17th Annual AHA Stars of the Industry Awards Gala recognizes the success of leaders in hospitality. Recipients were honored at a star-studded dinner and awards ceremony at the Clinton Presidential Center. Two hundred industry people mixed and mingled to live music by local band Gentlemen Jazz. Executive Director Montine McNulty emceed the event alongside Rex Nelson, director of Corporate Communications at Simmons Bank.
Montine began the evening exulting in the triumphs of the industry: “today, tourism is the second largest industry in Arkansas … we welcome 26 million visitors annually; over 100,000 Arkansas are employed in hospitality and tourism,” according to the press release. She proceeded to highlight the “$42,000 awarded in hospitality scholarships last year with a total of $612,250 to date.” The purpose of this event was to recognize the special people in Arkansas who go above and beyond in their jobs to make the industry what it is.
Selected as Manager of the Year was Marina Mueller, Human Resources director for Embassy Suites by Hilton Hot Springs Hotel and Spa.
“Marina has tirelessly worked on behalf of our associates for 11 years,” said the statement from Embassy Suites. “They know they can go to her with problems, questions or concerns and they will be treated with great respect and kindness. She is often asked to serve on task forces at other hotels or asked to be a Beta for new projects being introduced. She is regarded as one of the top human resource directors at John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts. If she is given a goal or a task, you can count on Marina to not only meet, but exceed the goal or expectation.
“She sets an amazing example and leads the team in community service efforts as a volunteer for the annual Chocolate Festival to benefit the Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic. She is at the helm of our Convoy of Hope participation, the captain for our Relay for Life team, she has taken volunteers to the Jackson House to serve meals to the hungry, she is on the board of Project Search, as well as the Diamond Lakes Federal Credit Union. She is a member of the West Central Society of Human Resource Managers and has served in leadership roles within the society. She is also involved with her church and family. And more than just her two kids call her Mom, she has opened her home and heart to many foreign exchange students over the years and has lead the student exchange program in Garland County. Her heart is always in the right place! We would like to applaud her with a nomination for Manager of the Year!”