“Each award recipient has timelessly contributed to the work of their state organization and ultimately to the success of the hotel industry,” said AH&LA President and CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. “This award is our way to acknowledge the great work the volunteers do, and to give them a well-deserved thank you.”

The award was presented to the following:

• American Hotel & Lodging Association - Connecticut
  Peter Mason – Vice President of the Hotel Division, Konover Hotel Group, West Hartford, Conn.



• American Hotel & Lodging Association - Minnesota
  Nancy Johnson – Executive Vice President, Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, Minnetonka, Minn. Mo.



• Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association
  Jim Champlin – General Manager, Grace Inn Ahwatukee-Phoenix, Phoenix, Ariz.



• Arkansas Hotel & Lodging Association
  Franz Viertbauer – General Manager, Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, Hot Springs, Ark.



• California Hotel & Lodging Association
  Al Sessler – General Manager, Ocean Park Inn, San Diego, Calif.



• Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association
  Robert Trotter – General Manager, JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek, Denver, Colo.



• Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association
  Paul Breslin – Managing Partner, Panther Hospitality, Atlanta, Ga.



• Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association
  Jay Rosenthal – Executive Vice President, The Harp Group, Oak Brook Terrace, Ill.



• Indiana Hotel & Lodging Association
  Mie Young Reed – Director of Human Resources, Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, Indianapolis, Ind.



• Iowa Lodging Association
  Mark Dunn – Director of Hotel Operations, Meskwaki Bingo-Casino-Hotel, Tama, Iowa



• Massachusetts Lodging Association
  Mansour Ghalibaf – Owner & General Manager, Hotel Northampton, Northampton, Mass.



• Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association
  Gillian Murphy – Corporate Vice President, Ameristar Casinos, Inc., Las Vegas, Nev.



• New Jersey Hotel & Lodging Association
  Donna Italia – Director of Operations, Hanover Marriott, Whippany, N.J.



• New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association
  Paul Riedel – Owner and Operator, Holiday Motel, Williamsville, N.Y.



• North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association
  Vinay Patel – Senior Vice President, Operations & Sales, SREE Hotels, Charlotte, N.C.


• Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association
  John Kelly – Owner, Best Western Inn at Hensley, Elreno, Okla.



• Oregon Lodging Association
  Tracy Marks – General Manager, Hilton Portland & Executive Tower, Portland, Ore.



• Rhode Island Hospitality & Tourism Association
  Scott Connery – Director of Catering, The Providence Biltmore Hotel, Providence, R.I.



• Tennessee Hotel & Lodging Association
  Thom Druffel – General Manager, Holiday Inn Select Vanderbilt – Nashville, Nashville, Tenn.



• Texas Hotel & Lodging Association
  Paul Schultz – Vice President of Operations, The San Luis Resort, Spa & Convention Center, Galveston, Tex.



• Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association
  Cindy Adams – Cooperative Living Magazine, Glen Allen, Va.



• Washington State Hotel & Lodging Association
  WSH&LA’s Grassroots Action Network, Seattle, Wash.



• West Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association
  Joy Johnson – Owner and Vice President of Sales and Marketing, The Woods Resort, Hedgesville, W.Va.



• Wisconsin Innkeepers Association
  Jeff Machut – General Manager, AmericInn of Madison South, Madison, Wis.



• Wyoming Lodging & Restaurant Association
  Karen Moody – General Manager, Snake River Lodge and Spa, Teton Village, Wyo.