The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association held its annual Golden Pineapple Awards dinner on January 29, 2015at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld. This Academy Awards-style event recognized lodging employees with a VIP reception, a congratulatory toast by City of Orlando’s Mayor, Buddy Dyer, followed by dinner and award presentations. FOX 35’s Keith Landry served as the emcee of the evening and awards were presented by CFHLA President / CEO Rich Maladecki.
This activity recognizes hospitality’s “front line” employees for exemplary service and customer satisfaction. A record-breaking 267 nominations were received from Central Florida lodging establishments. In addition, ten family member scholarships of $2,000 each were awarded to deserving students of hospitality employees.
The employees of the year were recognized in thirteen categories:
Jessica Galloway
Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate
Back Office Employee of the Year
Gary Boyer
Orlando World Center Marriott
Bell Person/Concierge Employee of the Year
Kris Michalson
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress
Community Service Employee of the Year
Joshua Figueroa
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort
Convention Center/Banquet Employee of the Year
Nelson Quiles
DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld
Culinary Employee of the Year
Henry Duck
Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort
Engineering Employee of the Year
Grisellys Morales Vazquez
Melia Orlando Suite Hotel
Food & Beverage Service Employee of the Year
Joshua Kirkland
Hilton Orlando
Front Office Employee of the Year
Judy King
Hyatt Regency Orlando
Housekeeping Employee of the Year
Halima Ali-Obaidi
Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando
Laundry Employee of the Year
Jessica Askew
CLC Encantada Resort
Recreational Employee of the Year
Youssef Mouaddine
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort
Security/Loss Prevention Employee of the Year
Edgar Gonzalez
Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin
Steward/Dishwasher Employee of the Year
CFHLA Family Member Scholarship Honorees:
Cecilia Alvarez
University of Florida
Alexa Regina Avecilla
University of Florida
Piero Castillo
Cypress Creek High School
Apiwit “Ben” Chulawan
Olympia High School
Vernon Corbin, III
Florida State University
Orianna Jimenez
Valencia College
Violeta Mileva
Florida State University
Sol Ortega
University of Florida
Sanim Rahman
Dr. Phillips High School
Carissa Rampersad
University of Central Florida