It was perhaps fitting that the Arlington Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Hospitality Superstars honors were presented on Valentine’s Day.
“These individuals truly are the heart of the Arlington hospitality industry, and our community is lucky to have each and every one of them,” Chamber CEO Kate Bates said at the awards program, held at the Hilton Garden Inn Reagan National Airport.
The awards recognize those who serve the public throughout the hospitality sector, from hotels to restaurants to tourist attractions, and go above and beyond the call of duty every day.
“This event is our celebration of the people who make a difference in the Arlington hospitality industry – to honor those who make Arlington a great place to live, work and visit,” said Flavia Sampaio, general manager of the Residence Inn Rosslyn and chair of the Arlington Chamber’s hotel-general-managers’ committee.
Honorees were selected from a committee that reviewed submissions and selected the best of the best. The event, in its 17th year, is the first one held since the pandemic hit in 2020.
“Throughout the last three years, we have seen the incredible resilience of the hospitality industry, and especially its incredible workforce,” Sampaio said. “We are thrilled to be able to resume this program.”
In many cases, honorees prove the adage that there really is no “i” in “team” – just consider the case of Henok Abay of Homewood Suites Arlington Rosslyn Key Bridge.
Recently, there was no cook available for the hotel’s restaurant, and Abay stepped in to do the cooking, depite the fact that his position had nothing to do with the kitchen.
“The hotel received multiple compliments on the food that day,” the award citation noted, adding that Abay “always ensures that guests have a memorable experience through his warm and professional service.”
Going the extra mile? It’s all in a day’s work for Elizabeth Bennett of the Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City, another honoree, who one day used her personal vehicle to take a guest to the airport after there was a snag in the expected car service.
“Her passion and drive to satisfy the expressed (and unexpressed) wishes and needs of the hotel’s guests is on display each and every shift,” her citation noted.
2023 Hospitality Superstar honorees, who come from all corners of the globe, included:
Victor Owusu, Residence Inn Arlington Courthouse; Bacilia “Bassy” Vasquez, Renaissance Arlington Capital View; Assionbon Yaovi, Homewood Suites Arlington Rosslyn Key Bridge; Reyna Zelaya, Residence Inn Arlington Ballston; Zemenaye Debebe, Renaissance Arlington Capital View; Jesus Martinez, Hyatt Centric Arlington; Shashi Subedi Khudka, Residence Inn Arlington Courthouse; Eric Lozano, Renaissance Arlington Capital View; Solomon Asaminew, Crystal City Marriott at Reagan National Airport.
Nicholas Saravia-Alvarez, Renaissance Arlington Capital View; Antonio Spencer, Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City; Vilma Saenz, Renaissance Inn Arlington Capital View; Robert Brooks, Crystal Gateway Marriott; Cecibel Contreras, Renaissance Arlington Capital View; Ruth Libeswork, Residence Inn Arlington Rosslyn; Narong Muangchan, Renaissance Arlington Capital View; Henok Abay, Homewood Suites Arlington Rosslyn Key Bridge; Patrice Moat, Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City.
Marisol Benitez de Cruz, Renaissance Arlington Capital View; Forson Gyadu, Crystal Gateway Marriott; Robert Spencer, Hyatt Centric Arlington; Maria Rivas Menjivar, Crystal City Marriott at Reagan National Airport; David Moran, Residence Inn Arlington Rosslyn; Helen Yohanes, Renaissance Arlington Capital View; Darcel Roebuck, Homewood Suites Arlington Rosslyn Key Bridge; Vidal Avila, Residence Inn Arlington Rosslyn; Kamran Iqbal, Homewood Suites Arlington Rosslyn Key Bridge; Leiser Gomez, Hyatt Centric Arlington; Ana Sandoval, Residence Inn Arlington Ballston.
Elizabeth Bennett, Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City; Dilia Godoy, Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery; Jose Delcid, Residence Inn Arlington Ballston; Cynthia Thomas, Homewood Suites Arlington Rosslyn Key Bridge; Gertrudis Arevalo, Crystal City Marriott at Reagan National Airport; Magaly Zepeda, Residence Inn Arlington Courthouse; Jesus Maqui, Homewood Suites Arlington Rosslyn Key Bridge; Shawn Morris, Crystal City Marriott at Reagan National Airport; Franis Trejo, Residence Inn Arlington Courthouse; Marta Hernandez, Crystal Gateway Marriott; Joselito Reyes, Homewood Suites Arlington Rosslyn Key Bridge.
Monica Moreno, Residence Inn Arlington Capital View; Fabrice Afabu, Hyatt Centric Arlington; Toni Troxler, Homewood Suites Arlington Rosslyn Key Bridge; Lorena Quispe, Renaissance Arlington Capital View; Odilia Ruiz, Residence Inn Arlington Ballston; Erika (Erdenechimeg) Batjargal, Homewood Suites Arlington Rosslyn Key Bridge; Milagra Lazo, Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City; Abraham Geremey, Residence Inn Arlington Rosslyn; Kim Ry, Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City; Donna Johnson, Residence Inn Arlington Rosslyn; Gloria Menjivar, Crystal Gateway Marriott; Jiamila Yakufu, Residence Inn Arlington Rosslyn; Kebere Tegegne, Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City; Lourdes Marte, Residence Inn Arlington Capital View; and Nelis Mejia Alvarado, Ritz-Carlton Pentagon City.
Arlington Community Federal Credit Union was awards sponsor for 2023.
