Shaner Hotels
1965 Waddle Road
State College, PA 16803
(814) 234-4460
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SHANER HOTELS HONORS TOP EMPLOYEES & HOTELS
STATE COLLEGE, PA, March 27, 2013 – Shaner Hotels honored their premier performers at the annual
Shaner General Manager and Director of Sales Conference held at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, February 24th – 27th. These nine highly select awards, based on
standards set by Shaner and the lodging industry, highlight the achievement of Shaner employees and
hotels who delivered excellence and best practices in their industry during the 2012 year.
Speaking on the occasion, Brian McMahon, Vice President of Human Resources of Shaner
congratulated all the associates and hotels that have been recognized and for a “great performance in
2012.”
The following is a complete list of award recipients, nominees and criteria:
Employee of the Year
This is awarded to the employee who made a significant impact to the overall success of their hotel,
lives the “Whatever it Takes” philosophy, embraces the corporate core values and demonstrates the
ability to overcome adversity.
Honored Nominees: Ron McElfresh, Chief Engineer at Williamsburg Square hotel properties in State
College, Pennsylvania; Greg Crusciel, Chief Engineer at the Pittsburgh Marriott City Center in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Winner: David Elliott, Chief Engineer at the Crowne Plaza at Paramus Park in Paramus, New Jersey
“David exceeded all of the criteria and displayed outstanding dedication to our hotel during the
Hurricane Sandy disaster,” commented McMahon.
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Sales Associate of the Year (Select Service Hotels)
The criteria for this award included growth of Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR), overall revenue
performance to budget, sales productivity to group booking goals, and Guest Satisfaction scores to
prior year.
Honored Nominees: Tom Cancellare, Director of Sales at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Lakeland/Plant
City, Florida and Michelle Kuziola, Director of Sales at the Courtyard by Marriott in St. Augustine,
Florida
Winner: Danielle Torres, Director of Sales Hampton Inn & Suites, and Courtyard Miami South,
Homestead, Florida
During 2012, “Ms. Torres proved to be a key contributor with her property achieving 108.7% of plan,
and her support for the opening of the new Courtyard by Marriott, which achieved 110% of their goal
in the opening year,” stated McMahon.
Sales Associate of the Year (Full Service Hotels)
The criteria for the award included growth of Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR), overall revenue
performance to budget, sales productivity to group booking goals, and Guest Satisfaction scores to
prior year.
Honored Nominees: Barbara Eslick, Director of Sales at the Renaissance Savery Hotel in Des
Moines, Iowa and Dennis Edwards, Director of Sales at the Durham Marriott in Durham, North Carolina
Winner: Brian Holupka, Director of Sales at the Marriott City Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
According to McMahon, “Brian and his team had an exceptional 2012. Pittsburgh exceeded their
revenue plan by nearly $1 million, and achieved 105.4% of the plan.”
Triumph Over Adversity Award
This is presented to the hotel that achieved success during unusually adverse conditions.
Other Nominees: Residence Inn in Edina, Minnesota and Crowne Plaza at Paramus Park in Paramus,
New Jersey
Winner: Durham Marriott hotel in Durham, North Carolina
Hotel of the Year (Full Service Hotels)
The Full Service Hotel of the Year Award had standards set by Shaner and the lodging industry
highlighting the hotel that delivered excellence and best practices during the 2012 year.
Winner: Pittsburgh Marriott City Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hotel of the Year (Select Service Hotels)
The Hotel of the Year Award for a Select Service hotel had standards set by Shaner and the lodging
industry highlighting the achievements of Shaner associates and hotels who delivered excellence and
best practices in their industry during the 2012 year.
Winner: Courtyard by Marriott in St. Augustine, Florida
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Corporate Employee of the Year
The winner for this award showed excellence in making a significant impact to the overall success of
the business, lives the “Whatever It Takes” philosophy, embraces the core values and has the ability
to overcome adversity.
Winner: Mandy Droll, Project Manager at the Shaner Corporate Office in State College, Pennsylvania
General Manager of the Year
The winner of this award exceeded RevPAR, overall revenue to budget, sales productivity, GSS scores
and leadership criteria.
Winner: Morris Siyman, Pittsburgh Marriott City Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
J.B. Griffin Award (A Memorial Award created in memory of J.B. Griffin)
This Memorial Award is designed to recognize an associate’s loyalty and dedication to the Shaner
organization.
Winner: Karen Blake, 25-year corporate office employee
Special Recognition
Recipient: Lisa Jacobson, Regional Director of Sales for Florida
Lisa received special recognition for her outstanding performance. “Every property in the Florida
region hit their revenue goals at 95% or better, with a majority beating the 100% mark,” said
McMahon.
ABOUT SHANER HOTELS
Headquartered in State College, Pa., Shaner Hotels is part of the Shaner Companies, a diversified,
privately held company that owns and operates investments in the lodging, finance, energy and
professional service sectors. Shaner Hotels is a developer/owner/operator that currently owns and
manages 35 hotels.
For more information about Shaner, please visit the company’s web site, www.shanercorp.com.
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Media Contact:
Megan Kennington
814-278-7585
mkennington@thejlsagency.com
www.thejlsagency.com
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