2023 Winner Profile
Beatrice Salgado, Preschool Lead Teacher at the Early Learning Center
Beatrice is one of only two teachers who has been at the Early Learning Center since its opening in 2013. She has an amazing ability to direct the curiosity and learning of students in her classroom, exhibiting a rare patience with them. Beatrice extends this kindness to her fellow teachers, acting as a mentor teacher and stepping up to accept lead teacher responsibilities when necessary.
2022 Winner Profile
Tyler Eickhoff, Food Service Staff at LG Energy Solution Michigan
As a Food Service Staff Member, Tyler built the Micro Market program from the ground up. He takes pride in the program and helps with stocking, ordering, and rotating products. Tyler is a dedicated and kind employee with a good sense of humor. He shows up early and is a team player who is always thinking about his customers and coworkers.
2021 Winner Profile
Lyndsey Prentice, Front Desk Champion, Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Holland
Lyndsey began her career with Suburban Inns four years ago. It quickly became clear that she had an intense drive to learn everything she could about Suburban Inns and the world of Marriott. She excels in her position by balancing empathy, wit, and tact in dealing with each and every guest she encounters. Her naturally accommodative personality as well as her remarkable memory allow her to make each guest’s experience personal.
2020 Winner Profile
Shaun Price, Electrical Construction Worker Buist Electric
Shaun ensures the safety of everyone and goes above and beyond regularly. There was an issue of sparking wires after work hours during a remodeling project. Shaun came in on the weekend and in the evening to fix the power situation. He made the circuits safe for the rest of the construction team so they could continue their work.
2019 Winner Profile
Anna Coronado, Laundry/Public Area/ Inspector Hampton Inn Holland
Anna is the one of the most positive people I have encountered. She is always thankful for everything and never expects something in return for her help. Our company is family owned and we try to bring that atmosphere to the hotel every day, but I think Anna talks about the hotel as a family more than anyone else.
2023 Winners
Administrative: Marolyn Lopez
Receptionist at Plascore
Cleaning: Scott Kinyon
Cleaner at Aggressive Tooling, Inc.
Childcare: Beatrice Salgado
Preschool Lead Teacher at the Early Learning Center
Food Service: Denver Sincler
Bartender/Server at Tantrick Brewing Co.
Government: Kim Pitsch
Park Ranger for Allegan County
Health Care: Heidi Carpenter
Program Aide at the Barry County Commission on Aging
Nonprofit: Darcie Wallace
Care Coordinator at Meals on Wheels Western Michigan Wish List
Retail: Derek Ryan
Courtesy Team Member at the Grandville Meijer
Skilled Labor: Maria Solis
Senior Quality Assurance Specialist at Trans-Matic
Transportation: Kristie Azzoli
Customer Experience Specialist at The Rapid ITP
2022 Winners
Administrative: Bayard Brooks
Conference Services Coordinator at Grand Rapids Community College
Cleaning: Ruby Alvarado
Kennel Care Staff Member at Paws With A Cause
Food Service: Tyler Eickhoff
Food Service Staff at LG Energy Solution Michigan
Government: Michelle Huerta
Eligibility Specialist at Ottawa County DHHS
Health Care: Julie Ellsworth
CAN at The Laurels of Carson City
Hospitality: Lyndsey Prentice
Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Holland
Nonprofit: Dreama Parker
Family Support Worker at D.A. Blodgett St. Johns
Skilled Labor: Ron Vanden Toorn
Engineer Tech at Perriso Oral Care
2021 Winners
Administrative: Jim Whalen
Appliance Buyer, Bekins
Childcare: Kylie Anderson
Childcare Teacher, AppleTree Hudsonville
Cleaning: Nicia Coleman
Inspector, Embassy Suites of Grand Rapids Downtown
Food Service: Rebeca Sastre
Food Service Staff, Wedgwood Christian Services
Government: Kathryn Koski
Clerk III, Kent County Prosecutor’s Office
Health Care: Donna Houseman
Registered Dental Assistant, My Community Dental Center
Hospitality: Lyndsey Prentice
Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Holland
Nonprofit: Abby Teasley
Migrant Recruiter/Liaison, Grand Haven Area Public Schools
Skilled Labor: John Hidalgo
Senior Maintenance Mechanic, American Chemical Solutions
Transportation: Linda Vis
Food Transportation Driver, Jenison Hudsonville Food Service
2020 Winners
Administrative: Carol Lyman
Sr. Administrative Assistant, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Cleaning: Kevin Allmon
Building Maintenance/Housekeeping, Integrated Packaging Machinery, LLC
Food Service: Carolyn McNeil
Catering Captain, On The Border
Government: Michelle Tokarczyk
Front Desk Receptionist Clerk, Muskegon County
Health Care: Jesseca Schrader
Registered Nurse, Metro Health University of Michigan Health
Nonprofit: Angela Reyna
Program Assistant, Affinity Mentoring
Retail: Mike Smith
Sales Professional, Bekins
Skilled Labor: Shaun Price
Electrical Construction Worker, Buist Electric
2019 Winners
Administrative: Amber Garner
Materials Management/Customer Service, Michigan Spring and Stamping
Child Care: Mitch Adams
Lead Teacher, All for Kids CDC
Cleaning: Ruth Evitts
Laundry, Metron of Belding
Food Service: James Greenland
Cook, Spectrum Health
Health Care: Martha Torreson
Recreational Therapy Assistant, Brookcrest Rehab & Life Center
Hospitality: Anna Coronado
Laundry/Public Area/ Inspector, Hampton Inn Holland
Nonprofit: Amelia Lopez
Community Health Worker, Health Net of West Michigan
Retail: Vickie Rick
Sales Clerk, Fabulous Finds
Skilled Labor: Fernando Villagomez
Lead Operator, Nova Steel USA
Transportation: David DeLeon
Bus Driver Chauffeur, Hope Network
2018 Winner Profile
Nick Borgman, Customer Service Rep. Quality Car Wash
Nick is a familiar face to many in the community and a loved one at that. He is consistently early, prepared, hardworking and positive. One morning I opened the store while he was on a well-deserved vacation. Almost every customer who came in between 5-7 am asked where Nick was. Nick pours himself out to help people readily and often without regard to his own well-being.
2017 Winner Profile
Jen Joseph, Nurse Aide Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
For almost 30 years, Jen has worked tirelessly with our staff and patients to ensure the best care possible. Jen approaches every situation knowing exactly how to help or what to say. For example, there was a family whose mother was not making a lot of progress. The family was upset. Once Jen walked in, the patient lit up and the family’s mood shifted.
2016 Winner Profile
Dave Janes, Post Office Clerk United States Post Office
Dave makes going to the post office a delightful experience. He provides true customer service to each individual waiting in line, regardless of their attitude. I’ve seen Dave diffuse tense situations with angry customers through humor. He genuinely cares about his customers and attempts to connect with each one personally.
2018 Winners
Administrative: Andrea Gafford
Customer Service, Anderson Technologies
Cleaning: Kelle Bergers
Housekeeper, Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan
Food Service: Laurie Trestrail
Dietary Aide, SKLD
General Labor: Gordy Bacheller
Custom Furniture Assembler, Bold Furniture
Health Care: Riley Frens
Nurse Technician, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Nonprofit: Sam Sandee
Employment Training Program Specialist, Wedgwood Christian Services
Retail: Nick Borgman
Customer Service Representative, Quality Car Wash
2017 Winners
Child Care: Cheryl Balcom
Day Care Provider/Owner
Cleaning: Tyrone Marshall
Janitor, Mercy Health
Food Service: Tammy Nottingham
Breakfast Attendant, Hampton Inn
General Labor: Jen Breen
Driver, VanHydraulics
Government: James Fults
Employment Counselor, Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility
Health Care: Jen Joseph
Nurse Aide, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
Hospitality: Adela Miranda
Laundry Attendant, Residence Inn GR Airport
Nonprofit: Ana McClain
Therapist, Wedgwood Christian Services
Transportation: Brenda Lutz
Bus Driver, Grand Haven Public Schools
2016 Winners
Child Care: Shela Jones
Day Care Provider/Owner, Little House
Cleaning: Kelly Bricker
Administrative Assistant, Luxury Janitorial
Food Service: Yolanda Marble
Food service/Cashier, Muskegon Community College
General Labor: Michael VanHouten
Production Associate, Plasan Carbon Composites
Government: Dave Janes
Post Office Clerk, United States Post Office
Health Care: Terry White
CNA, Metron of Belding
Hospitality: Julio Ignacio Caballero
Laundry, Hampton Inn Holland
Nonprofit: Linda El
Resident Advocate, Sylvia’s Place
Retail: Customer Service Team
Martin Marathon
Transportation: Lisa VanderLaan
Customer Care, Muskegon Area Transit Systems
2015 Winner Profile
Chris Tesillo, Certified Nursing Assistant Sunset Retirement Communities & Services
Chris will pick up shifts on the schedule even when she doesn’t want to, to ensure her team is always staffed. She is often helping others once she knows her assigned residents are well taken care of. Our follow-up satisfaction surveys always mention Chris by name as someone who went ‘above and beyond’ for them for their stay.
2014 Winner Profile
Fayez Radwan, Bell Hop Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
Fayez has developed such a rapport with so many guests that guests ask for him specifically and I see it every day. When guests ask for him and he is not working, the disappointment is all over their face. He makes our team better, our hotel better, and the guest experience better.
2015 Winners
Child Care: Aleesha Dedrich
Early Head Start Home Visitor, Community Action Allegan
Cleaning/Housekeeping: Lois Tiesworth
Custodian, Greenville Public Schools
Food Service: Sue Lynn Dean
Food Counter/Food Prep, Pioneer Resources/Coastline Deli
General Labor: Maria Vargas
Receptionist, West Michigan Uniform
Government: Billie Jo Hartwell
Animal Shelter Director, Barry County
Health Care: Bobbie Marzean
Medical Coder/Admission Assistant, Waterford Rehabilitation Center
Health Care: Chris Tesillo
CNA, Sunset Retirement Communities & Services
Nonprofit: Sally Ashley
Resident Advocate, Sylvia’s Place
Retail: Elizabeth Erickson
Family Fare
Transportation: Kristin Bredeweg
Bus Driver, Jenison Public Schools
2014 Winners
Child Care: Rebecca Kerbyson
In-Home Daycare Provider
Cleaning/Housekeeping: Fayez Radwan
Bell Hop, Amway Grand Plaza
Food Service: Spencer Cannon
Nutrition Services Assistant – Patent Tray Delivery, Mercy Health Saint Mary’s
General Labor: Derek Dirette
Receiving Clerk, Operator Specialty Company
Government: Ronda Foreman
Parks & Tourism Administrative Assistant, Allegan County
Health Care: Bobbi Bartlette
CNA, Brookcrest Rehab and Living Center
Nonprofit: Kiel Hamlet
Life Enrichment Center Resource Coordinator & Male Patron Advocate, Degage Ministries
Retail: Gwen Muma
Sales Associate, Wesco
Transportation: Teri Maurer
Transportation Coordinator/Bus Driver, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids
