Atherton employees named stars of the Industry in Oklahoma

Monday, February 7, 2011

The Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association honored two staff members from the Atherton Hotel at Oklahoma State University during the Annual Stars of the Industry Awards ceremony on January 18.  Sara Bradley, catering manager of the Ranchers Club, was named the Outstanding Manager/Supervisor of the Year and Mabel Davis, an Atherton Hotel housekeeper, was chosen the Outstanding Roomkeeper of the Year.

The OSU honorees were nominated by faculty and staff from the School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration and the College of Human Environmental Sciences.  Trena Shields and Lyn Putnam were also nominated for awards.

Since 2009, Bradley has created new ways to organize and streamline information as well as making it easier to book with, do business with, and work for the Atherton.  Her ability to quickly develop creative ways to fit and find new business in the historic structure have lead to new revenue goals the last 3 months.  In the meantime she has found time to re-organize storage facilities, clean out closets of decorations and inventory them, and be innovative with new ways to present breaks and execute menus.

Bradley’s nominators noted her ability to maintain order and composure while delivering outstanding service in a very demanding job.  According to Chef de Cuisine Chris Becker, Bradley is “dedicated to us, the guest, and excellence.”

Davis has been an employee at the Atherton since 2005.  Her experiences and knowledge of the hotel have become assets to the property and the staff.  She is often able to turn potentially problematic incidents, which would affect morale and productivity into positive results for the facility.  The nominators commented on Davis’s desire to deliver the highest standards for her guests and her tendency to go above and beyond the duties of her position on a regular basis.

“I have always noticed that Mabel will ask all the guests she encounters if there is anything she can do to help them have a great stay,” said Tommy Shotwell, Executive Housekeeper.  Davis has also taken the initiative to become certified in several areas including hospitality cashiering and managing, serving and food preparation.

OHLA presents the awards each year to honor Oklahoma’s outstanding hospitality professionals for their service and commitment to the guest service and hospitality industry. Partners supporting the lodging award program include Auto-Chlor System, Clearwater Enterprises, Cox Business Services, Heartland Payment Systems, McGregor Insurance Group, Natural Water Company, Smith Travel Research, The Culinary Institute of Platt College, and U.S. Foodservice.  John Campbell, chairman of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, was present at the awards ceremony and congratulated all the award winners.

The School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration in the College of Human Environmental Sciences at OSU operates The Atherton Hotel and Ranchers Club as part of a fully integrated teaching curriculum which prepares students for careers in hospitality through meaningful teaching, quality laboratory practice and supervised industry work experience and internships.