Nashville, Tenn. | The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) announced the winners of the 2007 Most Valuable Volunteer Awards at the AH&LA Stars of the Industry Awards luncheon at The Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. The award was created in 1998 to honor the many volunteers who help strengthen both AH&LA and their partner state associations.

“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.


Serving the hospitality industry for nearly a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits to members.

Kathryn Potter
202.289.3130
AH&LA