2012 Honorees

• William Boling
• Don Hignite
• Marion Gonzalez
• Janice Richardson

• Scot Brase
• Robin Lewis
• Elmer Fernandez
• Robin Slanac
• Tim Jackson
• Joe Zaharako

Jenna Anderson
Indianapolis Colts Grille

Luis Arana
Doubletree Suites by Hilton Carmel

Eric Bard
Harry & Izzy's Downtown

Elizabeth Battson
Indianapolis Museum of Art

Jerome Becraft
Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites

Christopher Berry
Scotty's Brewhouse

William Boling
St. Elmo Steak House

Kathy Bowman
Residence Inn by Marriott Northwest

Scot Brase
Omni Severin Hotel

Joshua Brown
University Place Conference Center & Hotel

Jan Bugher
Tastings-A Wine Experience

Tonya Buie
Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel Keystone Crossing

Krystle Buschner
Indiana State Museum

Carmen Chavez
CIBUS LLC @ Brickyard Crossing

Michael Conover
The Capital Grille

Liliana Cordero
Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel Keystone Crossing

Amy Cross
Harry & Izzy's Downtown

Jack Danner
Carey Indiana

Tom Davis
Crown Hill Heritage Foundation & Cemetery

Andrew Dickey
Harry & Izzy's North

Mary Dusel
Pacers Sports & Entertainment

Brandon Edwards
Hilton Garden Inn Downtown

Carl Emanuel
Carey Indiana

Justin Emery
Palomino Indianapolis

Elmer Fernandez
Scotty's Lakehouse

Richard Figaro
Embassy Suites Indianapolis Downtown

Gwendolyn Foreman
Citizens Energy Group

David Goff
Towne Park/Omni Severin Hotel

Marion Gonzalez
Hyatt Regency Indianapolis

Grant Goshorn
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Rachel Gould
Lorenzo's Ristorante

Mike Gross
Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Airport

Ricky Harris
The Westin Indianapolis

Kelsey Hay
Three Wise Men Brewing Co.

Edith Hernandez
Doubletree Suites by Hilton Carmel

Octavio Hernandez
Skyline Club

Don Hignite
The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Kyle Hook
Four Points by Sheraton Indianapolis Carmel

Raychell Hornbeak-Abron
Citizens Energy Group

Heather Hudson
Indianapolis Museum of Art

Sherey Jackson
The Westin Indianapolis

Tim Jackson
Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites

Teresa Jimenez
Hampton Inn Indianapolis Downtown

Angie Kendall
Indiana Live! Casino

Monte Krupinski
Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium

Chris La Fave
Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library

Amanda Latzke
Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel

Robin Lewis
Seasons 52

Shirley Little
ESG Security Inc.

Greg Mickelson
Mo's-A Place for Steaks

Ann Miller
CIBUS LLC @ Brickyard Crossing

Carrie Miller
Indiana State Museum

Zandra Miller
The Westin Indianapolis

Harley Monroe
Pacers Sports & Entertainment

Orlander Moore
Crowne Plaza at Historic Union Station

Abraham Morales
The Columbia Club

Lilian Nader
Conrad Indianapolis

Jeri Naessens
Indianapolis Indians

Felicia Neese
Western Bowl

John Osborne
Comfort Inn & Suites

Teodora Pablo
Holiday Inn Express South

Lee Ann Parrotte
Conrad Indianapolis

Anthony Patterson
Centerplate @ the NCAA Headquarters

Jim Pell
Indianapolis Marriott Center

Melissa Perry
Ivy Tech Community College

Myly Phan
Hilton Indianapolis North

Laura Ramirez
Homewood Suites Keystone at the Crossing

Craig Reasoner
Indiana Historical Society

Janice Richardson
Indianapolis Airport Authority

Sarah Richwine
Embassy Suites Indianapolis North

Jason Ricketts
Hooters Restaurants

Manuel Rios
Weber Grill Restaurant

Ernesto Rivera
St. Elmo Steak House

Mike Runnels
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown

Everardo "Eddie" Sanchez
The Capital Grille

Harry Sarkine
Radisson Indianapolis Airport

Jane Scheffsky
Omni Severin Hotel

Jennifer Schoening
Indiana State Museum

Derrin Slack
Scotty's Brewhouse North Side

Robin Slanac
Comfort Inn & Suites

Laurie Slawta
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown

Spencer Stonerock
Courtyard & SpringHill Suites Downtown

Tiffany Swopes
Ivy Tech Community College

Ed Trout
ComedySportz Indianapolis

Angela Truss
BC Forward

Ryan White
Wingate by Wyndham Northwest

David Allen Williamson
Weber Grill Restaurant

Kaylee Wright
Renaissance Indianapolis North Hotel

Joe Zaharako
Accent on Indianapolis

Robin Slanac — Breakfast Hostess
Comfort Inn and Suites - Lawrenceburg

Robin SlanacGuests at the Comfort Inn and Suites - Lawrenceburg in Southeastern Indiana say coming down to get breakfast isn't like your normal hotel breakfast. It's more like coming into a family kitchen. There, Robin greets them like family and makes them feel as if at home. She will find crayons and coloring pages for children and makes sure to provide assitance to the elderly. For repeat or extended-stay guests, she might offer the surprise of a jar of her homemade jam, jelly or pickles if it's a special occasion. She's been known to provide Easter baskets or Christmas gifts for little ones, all at her own expense. And no matter how many people have come into her "kitchen," it is always clean, and the food hot and plentiful. Her nomination form included dozens of comments from satisfied guests. One best summed it up. It read, "The lady in charge of breakfast was outstanding. She was helpful, cheerful and hard-working. I have never seen a better, more pleasant employee." Robin has been with the Comfort Inn and Suites for two-and-a-half years.

Janice Richardson — Guest Services Assistant
Indianapolis Airport Authority

Janice RichardsonJanice has virtually spent a lifetime in the service industry. Forty-nine years, to be precise. Longevity alone might be enough to earn her Rose Award distinction. Certainly, during that time, this guest services assistant has compiled an amazing list of examples that reflect her willingness to be of help to others. For example, a visitor to a hotel last year near Indianapolis International Airport was preparing to depart the hotel to catch her flight home. Alas, somewhere in transit between the hotel and airport, the visitor's luggage had been misplaced. A diligent search could not locate the luggage, leaving the visitor no choice but to leave without it. Janice, however, had found a bag unattended, left at the airport curb adn took it upon herself to find the owner. Unfortunately the bag tag had only a name and a PO box, but no phone number. It did, however, contain the hotel bag tag. She called the hotel and patiently worked through several transfers before finally speaking with someone who had the visitor's phone number. She then called that visitor, explained she had found the bag and was putting it on the next flight to the visitor's destination. Forty-nine years of service. One very simple, succinct example of beyond-the-call-of-duty service. Because of her lengthy service in the hospitality industry, Janice qualifies--easily--as a Lifetime ROSE Award winner.

William Boling — Receiving Clerk
St. Elmo Steak House

William BolingThe famous downtown landmark is known nationwide for its spicy appetizer, celebrity guests and tuxedoed wait staff. Yet, beyond the linen tablecloths, beyond the glamorous wine cellar, beyond the busy kitchen, beyond the view of the famous who come there to dine, there is one man who has been loyal and true to the most basic of services. At this restaurant, they don't serve the steak on paper plates or serve the wine in plastic cups. Someone has to wash the dishes. And that person is William. More than 25 years ago, William took up residence in the basement of St. Elmo as its lone dishwasher. He served in that capacity, alone, humble but happy, for five years. He also took pride in the daily cleaning of the kitchen and main grill, necessary but seemingly thankless tasks. As the restaurant expanded and its clientele grew, so did the demands of the job. William would simply show up, go to work and, in the wee hours after all was clean, go home to his wife and family. Not long ago, he was promoted to receiving clerk, overseeing the more than 400 thousand dollars worth of food, beverage and supplies being delivered daily to the back door. And during the recent Super Bowl, as the restaurant strived to meet the demands of more than 9,000 diners in a week's time, Williams dutifully arrived at 3 a.m. to receive the shipments and make certain that demand never exceeded supply. There is, it seems, a saint at St. Elmo. For his 25 years of service, William earns designation as a Lifetime ROSE Award honoree.

Marion "Mama Bear" Gonzales — Server
Eagle's Nest Restaurant at Hyatt Regency Indianapolis

Marion "Mama Bear" GonzalesIn a world that goes round and round, Marion is a straight line to service excellence. As a server in a popular downtown restaurant for more than a quarter century, she has become much more than someone who takes the order and delivers the food and drink. She has become a preferred part of her guests' dining experience. One guest, who heard that Marion was contemplating retirement, simply told the manager the restaurant couldn't keep his business if he couldn't have his favorite server. Others who arrive for annual holiday visits know that Marion will know their names, what they like to drink, their favorite dish and even the names of their children. She trains others on the wait staff to strive for a similar standard of excellence. She is both mentor and friend, but also a representative for her fellow employees in testifying about labor issues to the Indiana State Legislature. For all that, her cohorts have given her a nickanme. They call her "Mama Bear" and refer to themselves as her cubs. She's also a fierce patriot and proud mother of a serviceman. She has led efforts to volunteer at the Veterans Administration hospital. And one day, in the wake of a military tragedy, she noticed that the flags at the nearby State Capitol had not been lowered to half staff. Within seconds, she was on the telephone. Within an hour, the flags were lowered. She recently was honored as the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis's 2011 Associate of the Year. With 26 years at the Hyatt, first at Porch Restaurant then since 1997 at the Eagle's Nest, Marion is also recognized as a Lifetime ROSE Award recipient.

If you have questions about ROSE Awards, please contact:
Nate Swick
Senior Communications Manager
317.417.4195
nswick@visitindy.com