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During National Travel and Tourism Week, May 7-13, 2023, Visit Lake Charles highlights community members in the hospitality industry who make the area shine through the excellent service they consistently provide to visitors to Southwest Louisiana. The hospitality professionals below were recognized on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at the 2nd Annual R.O.S.E. (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards Ceremony.
Executive Chef Chris Heath, Golden Nugget Casino Hotel
Rhonda Colletta, Sales & Revenue Manager, Southern Hospitality Services
Edrich Desormeaux, Executive Casino Host, Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel
Lea Ann Leatherman, Pioneer Club
Roger Fontenot, L'Auberge Casino Resort
Austin Martinez, The James 710
Marjorie Latigue, City of Lake Charles Historic City Hall
Estelino Alon, L'Auberge Casino Resort
Stacey George, Home2 Suites by Hilton
Outstanding Culinary Professional
2022 - Executive Chef Amanda Cusey, The Villa Harlequin
Outstanding Hotel Sales Professional
2022 - Tiffany Celestine, General Manager, Springhill Suites by Marriott
Outstanding Casino Floor Professional
2022 - Darrell Taylor, Executive Casino Host, Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel
Outstanding Food Service Professional
2022 - Cristal Boudreaux, Southern Spice
Outstanding Banquet/Catering Professional
2022 - Kizzy Frank, Sr. Conference Planning Manager, Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino
Outstanding Transportation Professional
2022 - Pamela Miller, Charter Coordinator, Coastal Crew Change
Outstanding Guest Services Professional
2022 - Pat Ficklin, Southern Spice
Outstanding Valet/Bellmen Professional
2022 - Jacob Jolie, Bellman, L'Auberge Casino Resort
Outstanding Housekeeping Professional
2022 - Rose Wero, Housekeeping Supervisor, Courtyard by Marriott
Each year during National Travel & Tourism Week, President/CEO Kyle Edmiston and the Visit Lake Charles team recognize tourism industry professionals who make powerful contributions to Southwest Louisiana through the Legacy Awards. The work of these leaders ranges from community development and cultural programming to hosting events or playing integral roles in strengthening the tourism industry as a whole.
This year, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser presented the R.O.S.E and Legacy Awards alongside President/CEO Kyle Edmiston.
Paige Vidrine Arts Enthusiast and Owner of Buffi’s Peaux Boys
Smoke & Barrel, Adam Fontenot & Nathaniel Allured
Heath Allen, Executive Director of the Lake Charles Regional Airport
Adley Cormier & the late Melinda Antoon Cormier
Hunter Bower with Geaux Preps
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser
Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Chancellor at SOWELA, presented with Board Chair Nimesh Zaver
Sara Judson, CEO of the Community Foundation of SWLA, presented with former SWLA CVB President
Hospitality Arts & Tourism
2022 | Randy Partin |
2019 | Sean Ardoin |
2018 | Flock of Five Gift & Art Emporium |
2017 | Huber "Mikey" Smith, Jr. |
2016 | Candice Alexander |
2015 | Denver Kaufman |
2014 | Chris Miller |
2013 | Erica McCreedy |
2012 | Mary Kay Hopkins |
2011 | Matt Young |
2010 | Dan Ellender - Children's Museum |
2009 | Susan Reed |
2008 | Poor Pony, Inc. |
2002 | Lee English |
2002 | Gloria English |
Lasting Impression
2022 | Sam Moore |
2019 | Matt Young |
2019 | Erica McCreedy |
2018 | Big Daddy's - Jerry LeBlanc |
2017 | David Papania - Seafood Palace |
2017 | Chef Lyle Broussard |
2017 | Chef Kevin Thompson |
2016 | Rusty Metoyer |
Public Service
2022 | Ronnie Johns |
2019 | Lake Charles Police Department - Transportation Division |
2018 | Congressman Clay Higgins |
2017 | Representative Mike Danahay |
2016 | Todd Landry |
2015 | James Mayo |
2014 | Scott Stearns - JRTC & Fort Polk |
2013 | Dr. Philip C. Williams |
2012 | Chuck Kleckley |
2012 | Mayor Chris Duncan - City of Sulphur |
2011 | Willie Mount |
2011 | Robert Hennigan |
2010 | Mark McMurry |
2010 | Mayor Lawrence Henagan |
2009 | Sheriff Tony Mancuso |
2008 | Joey Alcede - Ward 3 Marshal's Office |
2008 | LOT - Chuck Morse |
2002 | Lt. Govcernor Kathleen Blanco |
Tourism Lifetime Service
2022 | Mayor Bob Hardey |
2019 | Shelley Johnson |
2018 | Mickael K. Dees |
2017 | Mayor Randy Roach |
2016 | Peggy Patin |
2016 | Gary Cooper |
2015 | Faye Blackwell |
2015 | Joe Toups |
2015 | Victor Monsour |
2014 | Elton Louviere |
2013 | Rufus Fruge |
2012 | William Kushner |
2011 | Sandra Treme |
2010 | Brooks Gregg |
2009 | Frank Landry |
2008 | Captain Sammie Faulk |
2002 | Johnny Suydam |
Sports Partner of the Year
2022 | Joey Odom |
2019 | Jean Evans |
2018 | Keith Alexander - LHSAA |
2017 | Robert Barrentine - Sulphur High School |
2017 | Jeff Wainwright - Sulphur High School |
2017 | Rodney Trahan - Sulphur High School |
2016 | Pam Ledoux |
2016 | Charles Allen |
Chair's Cup
2022 | Larry Avery |
2019 | Nora Popillion |
2018 | Mary Jo Bayles |
2017 | Dr. Philip Williams - McNeese State University |
2016 | Tab Finchum |
Shelley Johnson Tourism Leadership
2022 | Jill Kidder |
2019 | Mayor Nic Hunter |
2018 | Michael Davis - Golden Nugget |
2017 | Adley Cormier |
2016 | Jill Kidder |
2016 | Darienne Mobley |
2015 | Kyle Edmiston |