Celebrating Ellicott Hotels’ Shining Stars of the Year 2025 Finalists
Ellicott Hotels was recently named Company of the Year 2025 by Buffalo Business First, honoring our Western New York properties and the exceptional team members who drive guest satisfaction daily. General Managers nominated standout performers “Shining Stars”, with the following four finalists selected for their leadership, initiative, and dedication. These individuals highlight the strengths that make our hospitality family thrive: unwavering guest service, proactive teamwork, and personal growth.
Nominated by Hotel General Managers: Lenny Bevilacqua
Alyssha Bryant: Front Desk Excellence at The Giacomo
Alyssha joined The Giacomo in May and quickly became a guest favorite, earning frequent online mentions for her exceptional service. She arrives early, stays late, and handles any task with enthusiasm, ensuring top experiences for visitors and supporting her managers seamlessly. Her reliability and hard work position her as a premier representative of Ellicott Development.
Nominated by Hotel Assistant General: Erica Solomon
Juan Quinones: Maintenance Mastery at The Mosey Hotel
Since 2016, Juan has grown from houseperson at our former Wyndham Garden to handling all preventative maintenance and twice-yearly deep cleans per Hilton standards. He stepped into the Maintenance Engineer role during a vacancy without hesitation, maintaining building upkeep and operational excellence. His initiative and skill development keep The Mosey shining for guests.
Nominated by Hotel General Managers: Christine Helminiak
Ricki (Alexis) Felong: Housekeeping Leadership at Hampton Inn
Ricki fearlessly leads housekeeping inspections alongside Helen at the Hampton Inn, ensuring rooms meet high cleanliness standards while earning team respect. She assists other properties, blending speed, competence, compassion, and drive to elevate all Ellicott hotels—capped by her recent U.S. citizenship milestone. Her team-player spirit sets a high bar for everyone.
Nominated by Hotel General Managers: Theresa Smith
Linda Norwood: Hospitality Heart at Staybridge Suites Amherst
Since June 4, 2024, Linda has topped guest compliments at the front desk with her warm, caring style that makes visitors feel at home. She builds team bonds through positivity and collaboration, uplifting colleagues across properties. Linda’s genuine presence embodies our brand’s welcoming spirit.
Nominated by Ellicott Hotels Leadership
These four Employee of the Year 2025 finalists were nominated by our dedicated Hotel General Managers: Lenny Bevilacqua, Theresa Smith, Christine Helminiak, and Assistant General Manager Erica Solomon.
Their nominations spotlight the standout contributions from The Giacomo, The Mosey Hotel, Hampton Inn, and Staybridge Suites Amherst, reflecting the strong leadership guiding our Western New York properties.
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