Radisson Hotels & Resorts has announced that it has selected John Egan, banquet kitchen steward at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center in Michigan, as the company’s 2003 “Employee of the Year.” Egan was chosen from over 40,000 Radisson hotel employees in North America for his commitment to quality work, consistent demonstration of Radisson’s Yes I Can! service culture, and his ability to create meaningful and positive experiences for guests and fellow employees. He was honored this week during the company’s Annual Business Conference held at the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino in Palm Beach, Aruba.On the nomination form, General Manager Marc Jacobs wrote, “John’s highest priority is the genuine care and comfort of our guests, ensuring a memorable experience for all. If our goal is 100% guest satisfaction, then John displays it everyday with our guests and internal team members.”

Egan’s supervisor, Wayne Wells, added that John willingly accepts additional responsibilities without being requested to do so. “He’s extremely proactive in his duties, a constant cheerleader for our team, and never lets anyone down,” said Wells. “He’s always aware of the needs of the kitchen, for example, volunteering to put away inventory so the storage manager can help in the kitchen on busy days.”

Fellow employees report that Egan is also involved in the local community by personally training and mentoring mentally disabled adults, and has a ‘sixth sense’ about people in need both on the job and in the community.

“I had a hand injury that occasionally gave me numbness or pain, making my duties difficult to perform,” said Merrion Mader, a banquet cook at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center. “On those days, John would just start working beside me, staying until he was certain I was okay. At other times, Mader explained that John would say, ‘Let’s take a break; I need a rest,’ making it seem like I was doing him a favor by stopping for a while. I’m proud to call him my friend.”

“Throughout Radisson’s global organization, it’s the employees that are the most important asset in our service commitment to guests,” said Bj¿rn Gullaksen, executive vice president and brand leader, Radisson Hotels & Resorts. “It’s uplifting to learn about John’s tremendous commitment to performance excellence, integrity on the job, and genuine concern for his fellow employees. I’m pleased the John has been selected as Radisson’s 2003 Employee of the Year.”

In the heart of downtown Kalamazoo, minutes from Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center offers a world of hospitality for business and leisure travelers.

Consistently a winner of Radisson’s prestigious President’s Award, and AAA’s Four-Diamond Award for hotel and restaurant excellence, this property features 341 guest rooms and spacious suites. Expanded amenities are provided on a secured concierge floor, where guests can relax in a private lounge while enjoying a complimentary continental breakfast, evening hors d’oeuvres and beverages.
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