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Royal Sonesta's John Murtha Named Most Valuable Volunteer by AH&LA

June 3, 2005

John Murtha, general manager of the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge, was named a 2005 Most Valuable Volunteer by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA).

The award was created in 1999 to honor the many volunteers who help strengthen both AH&LA and their partner state associations.

AH&LA announced the 2005 Most Valuable Volunteer Awards at its spring board of directors meeting at the Loews L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, D.C. on May 16.

“Each award recipient has timelessly contributed to the success of their individual partner state association’s hospitality programs and initiatives,” said AH&LA President and CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. “This award is our opportunity to say thank you to our most treasured asset, our volunteers.”

Complete list of 2005 Most Valuable Volunteer Award winners:

Alaska Hotel & Lodging Association:
Jill Pawson – Director of Housekeeping, Alyeska Prince Hotel, Girdwood, Alaska.

California Hotel & Lodging Association:
Sandy Parker – Owner, Best Western Sutter House, Sacramento, Calif.

Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association:
Robert McCleary, CHA – General Manager, Manor Vail Resort & Spa, Vail, Colo.

Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association:
Thomas J. Loughlin – General Manager, Hilton Chicago, Chicago, Ill.

Indiana Hotel & Lodging Association:
Andy Rogers – President & General Manager, Brown County Restaurants & Inns, Nashville, Ind.

Kentucky Hotel & Lodging Association:
William Ott, CHA – General Manager, Radcliff Inn, Radcliff, Ky.

Massachusetts Lodging Association:
John Murtha – General Manager, Royal Sonesta Hotel, Cambridge, Mass.

Michigan Hotel, Motel & Resort Association:
David Clouse, CHA – Vice President Lodging Operations, Quality Inn Forward Conference Center, West Branch, Mich.

Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association:
Ronnie Highsmith – General Manager, Barbary Cost, Las Vegas, Nev.

New Jersey Hotel & Lodging Association:
Michael J. Talyor – General Manager, North Maple Inn at Basking Ridge, Basking Ridge, N.J.

New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association:
Michael C. Hoffman – President, Turf Hotels, Latham, N.Y.

Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association:
Jeff Erwin – Director of Parks & Resorts, Oklahoma Department of Tourism & Recreation, Oklahoma City, Okla.

Oregon Lodging Association:
Tim Laib – Regional Director of Operations, Shilo Inns, Portland, Ore.

Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Association:
Robert Jones, CHA – General Manager, Philadelphia Airport Marriott, Philadelphia, Pa.

Rhode Island Hospitality & Tourism Association:
J. Rudi Heater – Vice President of Hotel Operations, Carpionato Properties, Warwick, R.I.

Tennessee Hotel & Lodging Association and the Greater Nashville Hotel & Lodging Association:
Tom Negri – General Manager, Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, Nashville, Tenn.

Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association:
Caroline Emswiler – General Manager, Massanutten Resort, Harrisonburg, Va.

Wisconsin Innkeepers Association:
Scott Smith, CHA – General Manager, Four Seasons Resort, Pembine, Wis.

Wyoming:
Doug Campbell – Owner, Wolf Hotel, Saratoga, Wyo.