Upload
sarah-kuglin
View
217
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 1/24
A game changer!
WINTER 2014 / 201
TPI
Hospitality becomes a
100% employee owned company
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 2/24
Hello to all of you associates that make up the TPI Hospitality team. We have so much goion out of the normal this year; however with all of that we can never lose sight of thimportance of taking care of our guests. Always, we at TPI need to take care of our guesand for the TPI Corporate team, YOU are our guests. And in turn, you need to take care your guests, our CUSTOMERS. If we continually do this, everyone is a WINNER. At TPI, wlike to use the phrase, “We believe in win-win-win outcomes”. Whenever that gets out
balance and one or two “losses” are inserted into that scenario, no one wins, not even the onthat “thinks” they are winner.
In taking care of YOU, TPI corporate’s guests, we have been working overtime and we hoyou are beginning to see the results of this. We restructured our non-managemecompensation plan and benefits plan this summer to better compensate you for the extra hawork you do, day in and day out, in taking care of your guests, who are all of oCUSTOMERS. We are finalizing the plans for the ownership of TPI Hospitality to transitifrom me to an Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) whereby you, all the associates of TPwill directly benefit from the future success of TPI. An ESOP can be complicated and requirmore explanation for sure.
Over the period of time that I have participated in ownership of TPI, we have seen the company grow by 13 to 14 times in sifrom what it was 20+ years ago. During that period of growing, we built strong systems and relationships. Systems that wdeveloped over the years and operate today make us one of the most organized and sophisticated hospitality companies our industry. Our relationships with franchisors, lenders, capital partners, land owners, contractors, third party venders, ethave been based upon trust and consistent delivery of expectations. In addition to the strong systems and relationships whave built together, we have also built a strong balance sheet. When you bring these three things together; strong systemstrong relationships and a strong balance sheet, the last item that is essential to light this organization on fire is YOU. We anot missing you, but we want to take YOU to an entirely different level than you have ever thought you could perform at. Whif all of a sudden on January 1, 2015, you became an owner of TPI Hospitality? Well, that is exactly what is going to happe
On January 1, 2015, YOU become 100% owners of TPI. There will exist a highly regulated ownership structure called Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) that is administered by the federal labor department under a law called ERISERISA stands for Employee Retirement Income Security Act. It has a lot of similarities to a 401K plan, yet is different. It
designed to be a long-term retirement benefit for you and the value of that retirement funding is based upon the growth anappreciation of TPI Hospitality during the time you are employed. Based upon the growth of TPI Hospitality, your ownershshare at retirement or departure from the company, will be bought back from you over five years, one payment per year. significant difference between a 401-k plan and your TPI ESOP is that you do not invest your money into the ESOP, yoownership interest in TPI will be given to you. There exists specific criteria and minimum requirements for you to receive thelong term benefits and my summary is only that, a brief summary. Bottom line is my personal participation in the growth of Tfrom an ownership standpoint ceases on January 1st and our growth going forward all goes to the benefit of YOU, thassociates of TPI…excuse me, owners of TPI.
We are extremely optimistic about the future of TPI and feel it is in its best position in its history to grow and maximize its valugoing forward. In recent town hall meetings, I told a little story for purposes of comparing and contrasting TPI when I bougit, versus TPI when you buy it. Back in the early 90s, it was I, along with my mother and one brother who purchased TPI. Wwere financed by the seller, my father, much the same as your purchase will be financed by me. However, there is a hu
difference from back in the early 90s, when we did not have any working capital. Working capital can be defined as cash hand to fund payrolls, mortgage payments and operating costs on a monthly and annual cycle. In order to pay our bills time, we obtained a loan from a local bank for $350,000 and as security for that loan we gave the bank titles to our vehicle jewelry to place in the bank vault, and interests in our houses. Over time we were able to pay that loan off. In stark contrato that early beginning, YOU, the new owners of TPI, will have a war chest of cash in the checking account way above anbeyond any needs for working capital. We intend to put that extra cash to work by investing in new properties to help groyour value in TPI.
continued on page 22
Tom TorgersonChief Executive Officer
TPI Hospitality
What if you were the owner of TPI Hospitality?Tom Torgerson communicates that employee ownership is not too good to be true!
2
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 3/24
Through the years, TPI has gone through some very exciting changes and some significa
challenges as well. Whatever chapter we were in at the time, good or bad, we found a w
to leverage our condition to create a stronger and better company. As you read th
newsletter, it will be clear to you that we are on the doorstep of the single greatest change
our history as we transition the company into a 100% Employee Owned Company. This,
and of itself, is outstanding news for each of us. The magnitude of this change is furth
highlighted by the fact that we will be in the top 1% of all ESOPs in the country in terms size. In addition, TPI is poised to become the largest 100% employee owned hospita
company in the entire nation!
Becoming an ESOP will require a change in perspective by everyone. As of the first of t
year “we” will own TPI Hospitality, as Tom transfers his interests to us. Simply put, we w
have the opportunity on a daily basis to individually profit from this change in the form of
retirement account that will grow in value as “we” grow the value of TPI. This change to
ESOP has been in process for many months. In addition, we have been laying t
groundwork from an operations standpoint to be best prepared to maximize the value of o
TPI ESOP moving forward. As we worked through the process it caused me to envision wh
our company would look like if everyone acted as an owner without regard for their speci
role within the company. If each of us approached our jobs with the same set of principles and ideals and viewed our work l
through the same lenses, we would have the foundation for creating results that we ’ve never before seen! This dynamic wou
accelerate the growth of your ESOP benefit within TPI as it creates the platform for both company and individual succes
Ironically, both company and individual success will become even more synonymous as we build our ESOP together.
We will create the platform for success by “laying the groundwork”. As I communicated in my last newsletter article, we a
deeply invested in weaving our newly memorialized Core Values, our existing Vision Statement and the value of Leadersh
through every bit of TPI’s fabric. Just imagine the results we will create when each of us lives and breathes these principl
in our daily activities. As we rise up to the challenge of this next chapter for TPI, just imagine the power of having 1,7
owners approaching their jobs the same way. This process is a marathon, not a sprint, but it is clear to me that the results w
be outstanding as we continue to change our perspectives!
The last remaining piece to the puzzle in preparing for our next chapter was to insure that we had the right Senior Leadersh
structure and team in place. Recently, we modified the titles for members of our Operations and Administrative teams to moclosely align with today’s recognized standards in the hospitality industry. This change also provides a more accura
reflection of the Operations or Administrative responsibilities to which each person is held accountable. Our assessme
determined that we would need to add additional support in the area of Hotel Operations. This additional support
necessitated by our current, aggressive hotel development plans, which will provide enormous momentum in allowing th
ESOP to gain traction quickly. As I am writing this article the selection process is well underway for the newly created Direct
of Hotel Operations position. It is our hope and belief that this position can be filled by an internal candidate and we anticipa
making a decision mid to late December.
C-level team:
Tom Torgerson Chief Executive Officer
Mitch Peterson Chief Operations Officer
Kathy Aamot Chief Administrative Officer
Sheryl Walton Chief Financial Officer
Administrative team
Paul Carlson Director - Internal Auditing
Gene Lubbers Director - Information Technology
Marlene Kubasch Director - Administration & Accounting
Teresa Runke Director - Administration & Accounting
Jennifer Serbus Accounting Associate
Terri Grussing Accounting Associate
Caitlin Lieser Accounting Associate continued on page 24
Laying the groundwork for becoming an ESOPMitch Peterson summarizes the building of an ESOP from the ground up
Mitch Peterson
President of Operations
TPI Hospitality
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 4/244
Monday, September 15th, 2014, will go down as one of the more memorable dates in the long and storied history of TPI. T
day started off like any of the previous thirteen TPI annual conferences with a general session led by Tom Torgerson. But tha
where the similarities ended. This year, Tom had a message to deliver that would leave the TPI team speechless.
Mitch Peterson led off the general session with a review of where TPI was a year ago, where it is today and where it is goi
in the future. He summarized the tough love message that was delivered a year ago, and followed that up by reviewing t
many changes that had occurred at TPI over the past twelve months. Mitch mentioned the introduction of TPI’s core valuethe focus on leading rather than managing and the expansion of the operations and administrative teams. Mitch remind
everyone that “We will push ourselves and each of you towards achieving excellence and we will ask more of ourselves a
each of you than we believe is possible.” Mitch closed his remarks by stating that “TPI is one large step closer to being a fir
in class organization.”
Following Mitch’s comments, Tom Torgerson reviewed the multiple growth and enhancement projects happening througho
TPI. He mentioned the nearly completed Willmar Legacy Project and the exciting anticipation of opening the Minneton
Hampton Inn and the Rochester Homewood Suites in the near future. In addition, Tom updated the team on current and futu
enhancements happening in Maple Grove, Shoreview, Golden Valley and New Ulm.
What happened next caught the TPI team by surprise, as Tom identified that beginning January 1st, 2015, he will b
transitioning the ownership of TPI to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This move will make TPI what is believ
to be the largest 100% employee owned hospitality company in the nation. Tom said,“I chose an ESOP to reward you for yo
past, current and future diligent service to TPI, to preserve the legacy of our work here and position TPI for the next 50 yea
and beyond.” The announcement placed a brief hush over the room as those in attendance weren’t sure how to react. To he
everyone better understand the transition to an ESOP, representatives from Chartwell Capital Solutions were on hand
clarify the transition and answer any questions.
After an extended question and answer session, there was only one thing left to do...celebrate! And what better way
celebrate than with a marching band. The Willmar High School band kicked off the rest of the evening with a surprise entran
and moved throughout the room playing a high energy version of “Get Ready For This”. The room was electric as the O
team threw out TPI core values t-shirts, as well as tropical leis to enhance the Caribbean theme for the social hour.
certainly was a night to remember, and marked the beginning of TPI
Hospitality being owned by its associates.
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 5/24
The journey continues...TPI Hospitality will be 100% employee owned...what does that mean for you?
For almost 85 years, the Torgerson brand has been built and preserved through hard work and the ability to create
memorable guest experience. Whether it was Tom Torgerson’s grandfather establishing R. E. Torgerson Clothing
Kerkhoven, Minnesota in 1930, or Tom’s father establishing the Holiday Inn of Willmar, Minnesota in 1972, or Tom Torgerso
expanding the company today, one common denominator has always existed...exceptional people creating exceptional resul
Beginning January 1st, each of us will be entrusted to carry on that legacy. As owners, we have a responsibility to ourselv
and to those working around us to execute our roles to the best of our abilities. It will be this relentless attention to ownersh
that will not only create an amazing experience for our guests, but it will provide financial security for each of us and o
families. Success does not happen by accident, it takes a dedicated group of people led by the same values and practici
the same vision. TPI Hospitality has the people, our associates, has the values, our core values, and has the vision, our visi
statement. We are poised for success, now it’s just up to each of us to make success a reality.
The TPI Hospitality Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) allows Tom Torgerson to transition his ownership to t
associates of TPI though the ESOP. We maintain the same culture through our core values and vision statement. W
maintain the same policies, procedures and benefits. We maintain the same corporate structure, with Tom Torgerson as o
Chief Executive Officer. The only thing that changes is that over time, the value of TPI transitions from Tom to the associat
of TPI. At the end of each year, the increase in the value of the company is shared by all associates. Each spring, beginni
in 2016, every associate will receive a statement that reflects the amount of ownership the associate has earned. Over tim
the value of an associate’s ESOP account can grow substantially, providing a valuable source of retirement funding.
participate in an ESOP, the Federal government sets forth two specific criteria that must be met. The associate must be
least 21 years of age, and the associate must work at least 1,000 hours per calendar year (about 19 hours per week). If
associate meets these two criteria, they begin vesting at a 20% annual rate, meaning that over five years an associa
becomes fully vested. Being fully vested means that the funds in your ESOP account are 100% yours. If you are fully vest
and should leave TPI or retire, 100% of the funds in your account are distributed back to you over a five-year period (20% p
year). These funds can then be rolled into another qualified retirement account with no tax penalties. Spending the funds m
involve paying taxes, depending on your age and current income.
ESOPs are not uncommon. Today, there are almost 11,000 ESOPs operating in the United States. A few of the mo
well-known ESOPs in our part of the country include Anderson Window Company, Hy-Vee, Scheels and Kwik Trip. What
more surprising is that far less that 50% of all ESOPs are 100% employee owned. In many cases, the employee ownersh
may be 50% or less. That is not the case with TPI. As of January 1st, 2015, TPI will become 100% owned by TPI associate
Out of the 11,000 ESOPs nation-wide, TPI will rank as the 90th largest ESOP, and even more exciting is that also on Janua
1st, 2015, TPI will become the largest 100% employee owned hospitality company in the nation! Wow! Now that’s somethi
to be proud of, and something we can all work hard to build on.
In the very near future, all TPI associates will be able to learn more about the ESOP at www.TPIowners.com. This website wbe loaded with information and resources that will allow us all to learn more about what it means to each of us to be an owne
Watch for this new tool to be available shortly after the New Year.
So what does “100% employee owned” mean for you? It means that you will be part of a group of owners who have
opportunity each day you work to improve the value of the company you own. Every time you check a guest in at the fro
desk, or cook a guest’s meal, or clean a guest’s room, or fix a guest ’s air conditioner, or deliver a guest’s meal, or wash
guest’s dishes, or simply pass a guest in the hallway...you have an opportunity to help TPI grow. It’s not a few big things th
make a difference, it’s the hundreds of little things we each do every day that determine our success. We must each begin
think like owners, act like owners and hold each other accountable as owners. Together, we can continue the success th
Tom Torgerson’s grandfather started in 1930.
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 6/246
Are you always on your phone? Do you like real
time interaction?
@TPIHospitality
Like TPI Hospitality
on Facebook
facebook.com/tpihospitality
Do you believe a picture is
worth a thousand words?
Follow TPI on Instagram
instagram.com/TPIHospitality
Check out our website at
www.tpihospitality.com
Follow TPI Hospitality on Google+
plus.google.com/+TPIHospitalityWillmar
Are you strictly business? Do you want
to see and share TPI developments?
Follow TPI on LinkedIn
LinkedIn.com/company/tpi-hospitality
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 7/24
TPI Hospitality recognizes its 2014 top performersTwenty-one different properties were nominated for the eleven annual TPI awards
Property of the Year Award
Perkins Austin
Sales Achievement Award
Days Inn Willmar
Teamwork Award
Hampton Inn Shoreview
First Impression Award
Courtyard Arbor Lakes
Closer Award
Staybridge Suites Naples
Safety First Award
Green Mill Shoreview
President’s Award
Staybridge Suites Eagan
Web Warrior Award
Holiday Inn Austin
Outrageous Guest Service Award
Torge’s Live Austin
Core Values Award
Staybridge Suites Naples
Top Gun Award
Homewood Suites New Brighton
TPI Hospitality recognizes its 2014 top performersTwenty-one different properties were nominated for the eleven annual TPI awards
Property of the Year Award
Perkins Austin
Sales Achievement Award
Days Inn Willmar
Teamwork Award
Hampton Inn Shoreview
First Impression Award
Courtyard Arbor Lakes
Closer Award
Staybridge Suites Naples
Safety First Award
Green Mill Shoreview
President’s Award
Staybridge Suites Eagan
Web Warrior Award
Holiday Inn Austin
Outrageous Guest Service Award
Torge’s Live Austin
Core Values Award
Staybridge Suites Naples
Top Gun Award
Homewood Suites New Brighton
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 8/24
This page from the Spring 1992 edition of Innside TPI summarizes the effects that the legendary 1991 Halloween Storm had
TPI and its associates. It was certainly an event to remember. The newsletter also announced the beginning of TPI’s 401
plan. How many of you knew that Mitch Peterson was once the General Manager at Perkins Austin? The proof is below...
A Blast From The Past!
8
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 9/24
Are you preparing properly for your retirement?Taking advantage of Target Retirement Date Funds can help you get on track for retirement
You work hard to save for retirement, now you can choose a fund that works just as hard for you. Sweet Financial can hel
you choose the fund that best suits your needs. These funds can offer the following advantages.
Get a complete portfolio in a single fund:
Vanguard Target Retirement Funds give you a straightforward approach to a sophisticated problem: how to invest success-
fully for retirement. Each fund is designed to help manage risk while trying to grow your retirement savings.
Less risk through broader diversification:
Each of the Target Retirement Funds invests in Vanguard’s broadest index funds, giving you access to thousands of U.S.
and international stocks and bonds, including exposure to the major market sectors and segments.
A professionally managed asset mix:
The funds’ managers gradually shift each fund ’s asset allocation—to fewer stocks and more bonds—making the fund more
conservative the closer you get to retirement.
Automatic rebalancing:
The managers then maintain the current target mix, freeing you from the hassle of ongoing rebalancing.
Low costs:
On average, Vanguard Target Retirement Fund expense ratios are about one-sixth the cost of their peers. That’s a savings
of nearly 84%!* When you are paying less for your funds, more money stays in your account working for you.
You can find more information on these investment opportunities by logging on to your TPI
Hospitality 401k Retirement
Savings Plan at www.alerusretirementsolutions.com or by calling 800-433-1685. You can also contact Sweet Financial
Services at 800-658-2507 for any of your investment related needs.
*Vanguard Target Retirement Funds average expense ratio: 0.17%. Industry average expense ratio for comparable target-date funds: 1.05%. Sources: Vanguard and Lipper, a Thomson Reuters Company, as of December 31, 20
Investments in Target Retirement Funds are subject to the risks of their underlying funds. The year in the fund name refers to the approximate year (the target date) when an investor in the fund would retire and leave the
workforce. The fund will gradually shift its emphasis from more aggressive investments to more conservative ones based on its target date. An investment in a Target Retirement Fund is not guaranteed at any time, including
or after the target date. These fund suggestions are based on an estimated retirement age of approximately 65. Should you choose to retire significantly earlier or later, you may want to consider a fund with an ass et allocat
more appropriate to your particular situation. All investing is subject to risk, including th e possible loss of the money you invest. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss. Investments in bonds are sub
to interest rate, credit, and inflation risk.
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 10/24
10 Torgerson Properties rebrands as TPI Hospitality
9 Perkins Austin is recognized as “Best Family Restaurant and Best Dessertin Mower County”
8 Steve Mallan from Holiday Inn New Ulm won 7th, 6th and 1st place medalsat the USA Special Olympics bowling tournament
7 TPI Hospitality opens its first Best Western Plus branded hotel
6 Hampton Inn Fairmont earns the highest guest satisfaction score amongall Hampton Inns worldwide for two consecutive months
5 TPI Hospitality is awarded Top Hotel Management Company by HotelBusiness Magazine
4 17 TPI Hospitality hotels were awarded TripAdvisor’s prestigiousCertificate of Excellence Award
3 4 TPI Hospitality hotels are ranked in the top 10 of 222 hotels throughoutthe entire Minneapolis and St. Paul area
2 $4,250 was raised for local charities at the TPI Hospitality annual basketcompetition during the 2014 team conference
1 TPI Hospitality announces an Employe Stock Ownership Plan beginning Januar1st, 2015 which will make TPI Hospitality the largest 100% employeeowned hospitality company in the nation
TPI’s top 10 list of 2014A lot has happened over the past twelve months, here are the highlights of 2014
10
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 11/24
The face of TPI continues to changeRecently completed and ongoing initiatives illustrate TPI’s impressive growth
It’s
NEWNEWIt’s
NOWNOW
1
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 12/24
Tim Mattern (2002 to present)
General Manager
Green Mill and Ruff ’s Wings & Sports Bar in Willmar
What attracted you to TPI? What attracts me most to T
is the fact that TPI promises growth and opportunity
anyone who works hard and is loyal.
What has your career path been to this point at TPI?
started in Willmar back in 2002 working in banquet set-
in the conference center, and then moved to the Green M
in 2006 as a bartender. In 2007, I began supervising in
Green Mill and then accepted my first full time position
2008. In 2010, an opportunity arose to become
Assistant General Manager at Green Mill Shoreview.
2012, I was offered the Assistant General Manager posit
for the newly acquired Hurricane Grill & Wings franchis
where a short while later I assumed my first Gene
Manager role. After TPI’s decision to part ways with t
franchise, I transferred for a short stint as General Manag
at Torge’s Live in Austin, and then most recently assum
my current General Manager role at Green Mill and Ruf
Wings & Sports Bar in Willmar. It has been an incredib
learning experience for twelve years.
What do you think has gotten you to where you a
today? It is the loyalty and willingness of TPI to alloassociates, such as myself, to grow and create our ow
career path. The company is set up to allow any individ
with the determination to succeed to create their ow
opportunities.
What advice would you give to other TPI associat
who would like to grow with the organization? If you s
your mind towards a realistic goal, TPI will allow you t
best shot to achieve that goal. It is completely up to t
individual to create a successful path. TPI has and w
continue to allow opportunities to those who perform we
Growing withGrowing with
Are you interested in growing with TPI
Hospitality?
associates who have grown within the organization.
and commitment to TPI’s core values and vision st
advancing your career, let your General Manager kn
property! Also, be sure to check the TPI
Hospitality
new opportunities there as well. Come on...let’s gro
12
Tim Mattern (2002 to present)
General Manager
Green Mill and Ruff’s Wings & Sports Bar in Willmar
What attracted you to TPI? What attracts me most to T
is the fact that TPI promises growth and opportunity
anyone who works hard and is loyal.
What has your career path been to this point at TPI?
started in Willmar back in 2002 working in banquet set-u
in the conference center, and then moved to the Green M
in 2006 as a bartender. In 2007, I began supervising in th
Green Mill and then accepted my first full time position
2008. In 2010, an opportunity arose to become a
Assistant General Manager at Green Mill Shoreview.
2012, I was offered the Assistant General Manager positio
for the newly acquired Hurricane Grill & Wings franchis
where a short while later I assumed my first Gener
Manager role. After TPI’s decision to part ways with t
franchise, I transferred for a short stint as General Manag
at Torge’s Live in Austin, and then most recently assume
my current General Manager role at Green Mill and Ruff
Wings & Sports Bar in Willmar. It has been an incredib
learning experience for twelve years.
What do you think has gotten you to where you a
today? It is the loyalty and willingness of TPI to alloassociates, such as myself, to grow and create our ow
career path. The company is set up to allow any individu
with the determination to succeed to create their ow
opportunities.
What advice would you give to other TPI associate
who would like to grow with the organization? If you s
your mind towards a realistic goal, TPI will allow you th
best shot to achieve that goal. It is completely up to t
individual to create a successful path. TPI has and w
continue to allow opportunities to those who perform wel
Growing withGrowing with
Are you interested in growing with TPI Hospitality?
associates who have grown within the organization.
and commitment to TPI’s core values and vision st
advancing your career, let your General Manager kn
property! Also, be sure to check the TPI Hospitality
new opportunities there as well. Come on...let’s gro
12
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 13/24
Jason Hall (1997 to present)
General Manager
Staybridge Suites Bloomington
What attracted you to TPI? Growing up in Austin, the
Holiday Inn, and specifically TPI, had a very positive
reputation. Once I decided to focus on Hospitality
Management while in college, TPI was a natural fit for me
to apply to for my college internship.
What has your career path been to this point at TPI?
Internship at the Austin campus in 1997
Guest Service Representative at Hilton Garden Inn Eagan
F&B Manager at Hilton Garden Inn Eagan
Assistant General Manager at Hilton Garden Inn Eagan
General Manager at Staybridge Suites Eagan
General Manager at Staybridge Suites Bloomington
What do you think has gotten you to where you are
today? I am extremely grateful for the opportunities this
company gives to associates who wish to grow and move
up within the company. I have had many past TPI General
Managers and current TPI leaders who have invested their
time and expertise in me, and given me opportunities to
advance.
What advice would you give to other TPI associateswho would like to grow with the organization? Attempt
to learn something from everyone you come in contact
with. There are a lot of smart, creative, and dedicated
associates in our company. Take advantage of that, and
you can learn all sorts of things that will allow you to
continue to grow.
TPI Hospitality TPI Hospitality
Jason are just two examples of the many current TPI
es strongly in promoting from within, and your hard work
n lead to a rewarding career. If you are interested in
may be an ideal opportunity waiting for you right at your
website at www.tpihospitalityjobs.com. You may find a
as owners!
1
Jason Hall (1997 to present)
General Manager
Staybridge Suites Bloomington
What attracted you to TPI? Growing up in Austin, the
Holiday Inn, and specifically TPI, had a very positive
reputation. Once I decided to focus on Hospitality
Management while in college, TPI was a natural fit for me
to apply to for my college internship.
What has your career path been to this point at TPI?
Internship at the Austin campus in 1997
Guest Service Representative at Hilton Garden Inn Eagan
F&B Manager at Hilton Garden Inn Eagan
Assistant General Manager at Hilton Garden Inn Eagan
General Manager at Staybridge Suites Eagan
General Manager at Staybridge Suites Bloomington
What do you think has gotten you to where you are
today? I am extremely grateful for the opportunities this
company gives to associates who wish to grow and move
up within the company. I have had many past TPI General
Managers and current TPI leaders who have invested their
time and expertise in me, and given me opportunities to
advance.
What advice would you give to other TPI associateswho would like to grow with the organization? Attempt
to learn something from everyone you come in contact
with. There are a lot of smart, creative, and dedicated
associates in our company. Take advantage of that, and
you can learn all sorts of things that will allow you to
continue to grow.
TPI Hospitality TPI Hospitality
Jason are just two examples of the many current TPI
es strongly in promoting from within, and your hard work
n lead to a rewarding career. If you are interested in
may be an ideal opportunity waiting for you right at your
website at www.tpihospitalityjobs.com. You may find a
as owners!
1
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 14/24
Ashley Clark joins TPI as the ExecutiveHousekeeper at Staybridge SuitesEagan. Ashley, born and raised in St.Paul, took a big leap of faith after highschool and accepted a position on acruise ship as a bell person. She lovedthe experience and soon moved into thehousekeeping department for ninemonths of traveling between the
Hawaiian Islands. Ashley was hookedon hospitality, as she also spent timeworking on a steamboat traveling theMississippi and a seasonal adventure atGlacier National Park. Minnesota wasalways “home”, so she returned and isvery happy to be a part of the TPI team.
Trevor Nystrom recently took on therole of Assistant Kitchen Manager atRuff ’s Wings & Sports in Willmar. Hewas promoted from within TPI after working at Green Mill Willmar for justover a year. Trevor jumped at theopportunity to take on the new Ruff ’sconcept and has quickly become a vitalasset to the Willmar Legacy Project.
Trevor enjoys staying active withbasketball and outdoor activities as wellas spending time with family.
Staybridge Suites Naples welcomesDivina Corkery as Assistant GeneralManager. Divina is a graduate of theUniversity of San Jose, Cebu City,Philippines with a Degree in Hotel and
Restaurant Management. After college,Divina worked at the Shangri-la MactanIsland Resort and Spa as the FrontDesk/Group Coordinator. She later move to the Tampa area and pursuedher career in the hospitality industryworking for a Marriott and later a DoubleTree Hotel as a Front Office Manager.Divina and her husband recentlypurchased a home in the Ft. Myers area.Welcome to the TPI family, Divina!
Tracy Neumeyer , General Manager (left), and Karin Borgerlink, Director of Sales (right), from Staybridge SuitesNaples, present a check for $2,125 tothe Cancer Alliance of Naples. The
donation was made possible though thehelp of TPI associates who participatedin the annual basket competition duringthe 2014 TPI Conference. TheStaybridge Suites basket generated themost funds during the raffle, allowing theNaples team to award 50% of the overallearnings to the organization of their choice. Total proceeds of the basketcompetition were $4,250. Thank youStaybridge Suites Naples!
Preston Bennet is the AGM at Tnew Homewood Suites in RochesPreston grew up in Mazeppa, MN majored in Travel and Tourism at Cloud State University. His
hospitality job was in the laundepartment at the Homewood SuiteSt. Cloud, where he eventually worhis way up to Front Office Manag After a year and a half, he accepted AGM position at the Homewood Suat the Mall of America. Preston sayam very excited to be working with Homewood Suites Rochester team, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!
Inn the news at TPI Hospitality
Angela Terry returned to the Fairmont team in July of this year as Front Office Manager. Angie previoworked at Fairmont’s Hampton InnFront Desk Supervisor and feels like is coming home again. Angie worked in a variety of areas that invoguest satisfaction, team work hospitality. She enjoys the day to
challenges that come along with front desk position, A/R, and the teatmosphere. When she has free tshe enjoys walking, bicycling, reading just hanging out with her husband and children Grace, 7 and Noah, 5.
14
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 15/24
The Hampton Inn Arbor Lakes team
recently held a carnival complete with
games, prizes, food and even cotton
candy! The carnival was a thank you to
the Hampton Inn associates for their
outstanding performance during Hilton’s
Catch Me At My Best program. The
associates competed in ring toss,
balloon pop, basketball and bean bag
toss games. Tammy Hillyard from HS,Alaina Bartholomay from the Maple
Grove Sales team, Andrew Rohlik from
CYAL, Chad Pemberton and Jessica
Kloss from TPI all pitched in to make the
even a huge success. At Hampton Inn
Arbor Lakes, the show must go on!
Chris Warnke was recently promoted to
Chief Maintenance Engineer at the
Homewood Suites St. Louis Park. Chris
joined the TPI Hospitality team in 2009
as the Maintenance Engineer at the
Hilton Garden Inn in Bloomington. Hecurrently resides in Howard Lake with
his wife and two labs. Chris loves the
outdoors! In his free time he enjoys
camping, hunting, and fishing. Welcome
to the Homewood Suites family, Chris!
Trista Hillenbrand has taken the lead
role of Dining Room Manager at TPI’s
new Ruff ’s Wings & Sports Bar in
Willmar. Trista is new to TPI, but brings
almost fifteen years of experience in the
hospitality industry. Her knowledge and
experience have been a valuable part of
Ruff ’s initial success. Trista enjoys
bowling, spending time at her rural
house and prime hunting land, and mostimportantly, being with her husband Kyle
and family. Welcome to TPI, Trista.
Dana Saboe joined the Willmar Hotels
team in November as the Assistant
Executive Housekeeper. She hails from
Melrose, Minnesota and currently lives in
Pennock. Dana has two girls, ages five
and seven. She enjoys working on therestoration of items, and is a committed
vegan who enjoys searching out natural
remedies and cures. Welcome to TPI,
Dana!
Please welcome Comaya Bens
daughter of Courtney Sparks fr
Holiday Inn Express Golden Val
Comaya, pronounced Ka-My-a, w
born on Monday, November 24th
8:30am. She weighed six pouneleven ounces and was 19 3/4 inc
long. Mom says, “She’s so calm
alert.” Congratulations Courtney!
Valerie Hicks is the new Execu
Housekeeper at Holiday Inn Expr
Golden Valley. Valerie has been in
hospitality industry for nine yea
starting as a Guest Service Agent,
then as a Front Desk Supervisor for
Embassy Suites. She moved on
Lebourget, which is now a Holiday
as a Front Desk Supervisor and t
became a Housekeeping Supervisothe Marriott. Most recently, Valerie w
the Assistant Housekeeping Manage
the Double Tree Park Place. She s
she is really excited about being at
Holiday Inn Express Golden Valley
enjoys working with the team.
Inn the news at TPI Hospitality
1
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 16/24
The West End Campus would like to
welcome Brady James Halen. Brady is
the son of Tara Halen, Campus Director
of Sales at the West End Hotels, and her
husband Derek. Brady was born on
Saturday November 1st. He weighed inat 7 pounds, twelve oz. and was 21
inches long. Congratulations Tara,
Derek, and sister Kaylee on your new
addition to the family!
Scott Baanrud recently joined the Hilton
Garden Inn Bloomington team as their
new Assistant General Manager. Scott
has been with TPI Hospitality for five
years and has worked for three different
TPI hotels. Having worked in the
industry for over fifteen years in a variety
of positions, Scott has shown a great
passion and commitment to guest
satisfaction and hospitality and enjoysthe challenge of exceeding our guest’s
expectations. When not at work, Scott
enjoys spending time with his wife and
two children, going to the cabin, hiking
and camping, or just embarking on
random adventures.
Ruff ’s Wings & Sports Bar would like to
congratulate Jesse Serbus for his new
role as Kitchen Manager. Jesse, who is
also the current Kitchen Manager of
Green Mill Willmar, has been with TPI
Hospitality since 1998 and was more
than accepting of this dual role as
Kitchen Manager at both Ruff ’s and
Green Mill. He brings a wealth of
restaurant knowledge to the table andhas been a backbone to the success of
Green Mill and the early success of
Ruff ’s. As you can see, Jesse loves to
fish, hang out with family, fish, and ice
fish.
Melissa Gepp has accepted a
promotion to Director of Sales &
Catering at the Eagan Campus. Melissa
started in the hospitality industry at the
front desk of TownePlace Suites in
Eagan. She soon advanced to SalesCoordinator and then SMERFE Sales
Manager. After six years, Melissa
moved to Bloomington with Hyatt Place
and Holiday Inn Express to learn
different brands and a different market.
When the opportunity arose to return to
Eagan, Melissa jumped at the chance.
She is very excited to learn more about
her new role alongside the fabulous
Eagan Campus Sales Team.
Dan Nelson is the General Manage
TPI ’s newest property, Homew
Suites Rochester. He grew up
Minnetonka and attended Hopkins H
School, where he played footb
baseball and was a ski jumper, tplayed baseball at the University
Minnesota before graduating sum
cum laude from UW Stout. He
managed hotels and resorts in Chica
the Twin Cities, Brainerd and Roches
Dan has a daughter, Katie, and a s
Erik, who are both in college. He lo
all Minnesota sports teams, espec
the Vikings. Dan enjoys golf, pinb
ping pong and downhill skiing.
Inn the news at TPI Hospitality
John Tracy is excited to join the
team as Arbor Lakes Campus Directo
Sales and looks forward to working w
everyone at the Arbor Lakes camp
He has over 25 years of sales
catering experience and has worked w
a number of hotel brands. He m
recently worked for LHR Hospitality a
Corporate Director of Sales. John g
up and currently still lives in New Howith his wife, Jeanne, and
daughters, Laura and Megan. He enj
golfing, watching Minnesota sp
teams, watching his daughter p
volleyball for UW Eau Claire, a
spending time with his family.
16
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 17/24
Gabriella Auspos recently joined TPI
Hospitality as the Dining Room Manager
at Green Mill Willmar. Gabriella studied
visual arts at State University of New
York in Buffalo, and has worked in the
hospitality industry from the time she
was sixteen years old. She is married
with a nine month old daughter, Aurelia,
a three year old daughter, Mari, and an
eight year old stepson, Carter. Sheenjoys running, camping, snowboarding,
drawing, painting and spending time with
her family. Gabriella says she has
thoroughly enjoyed her experience at
Green Mill thus far and is looking forward
to growing with TPI.
Holiday Inn Austin is excited to welcome
Nick Roth to it’s team as the Director of
Sales. Nick spent four years at Winona
State University, graduating with a
Bachelor of Science Degree in
Marketing. Nick has always had apassion for hospitality which brought him
from the insurance business to TPI. He
is an avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer.
Welcome to the team Nick!
The Staybridge Suites Bloomington
team would like to congratulate John
Jericho on his recent promotion to Chief
Engineer! John has been with the
Staybridge since 2008, working first as a
Preventative Maintenance Person and
then as an Assistant Maintenance
Engineer. Congratulations John, and
best of luck in your new role.
Ryan Edner was recently promoted to
the Assistant General Manager position
at the Holiday Inn New Ulm. Ryan was
most recently working at the Homewood
Suites St. Louis Park. Ryan is a
drummer, a song writer, and hasgraduated in the field of Sound Design.
He enjoys outdoor activities including
kayaking, hiking, camping, star gazing
and photography. As a child, he always
enjoyed hotels because there was
always something different happening.
Ryan is excited to be a part of the
Holiday Inn New Ulm team and the
historic German Heritage from which
New Ulm is derived.
Congratulations to General Mana
Sean Twedt and his wife, Kristi, on
arrival of the new addition to their fam
Adalynn Faith Twedt. Their new bun
of joy arrived Saturday morning, Octo
25th and weighed six pounds, twe
ounces and was twenty inches lo
Sean says that Adalynn likes sleep
eating, burping and watching
Minnesota Golden Gophers. Her ocurrent dislike seems to be the Gr
Bay Packers.
Inn the news at TPI Hospitality
Samantha Nelson grew up in a sm
town in northern Minnesota, and mo
to the metro area in 2008. Sam sta
with TPI at the Staybridge Suites
Bloomington as a Guest Serv
Representative. She was promotedFront Desk Supervisor in 2012,
recently became the Sales Coordina
for the Bloomington Campus. S
enjoys spending time with friends
family, especially her nephew and
nieces. She also spends her free t
with church activities, crafting,
traveling. This spring she is plannin
travel to Ireland to visit friends that
met while working at Staybridge Suite
1
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 18/24
Holiday Inn & Austin Conference Center
team is excited to welcome Ben Ankeny
as their new Director of Catering. Ben
came to us from the local newspaper,
where he worked on the sales team. He
was born and raised in Austin and is veryactive in the community, including
working with Austin’s Vision 2020
Waterways Committee. He has three
boys, a wife of twelve years and enjoys
live music, canoeing, and helping out his
family business. Welcome to the team,
Ben!
Garrett Erickson at Green Mill Willmar
was recently promoted to Assistant
Kitchen Manager. Garrett has been with
TPI Hospitality for almost two years and
is becoming a valuable asset to the
Willmar team. He is looking forward to
the opportunity of continued growth with
the TPI team. Garrett is an avid hunter
and enjoys most outdoor activities.
Congratulations on your new position,Garrett.
Lacy McNicol has joined the Fairmont
team as their Director of Sales. Lacy is
originally from Mountain View, CA. Her
family moved to Minnesota when she
was young, but she says, “I’m always
going to be a 49er ’s fan!” Lacy studied
Psychology and English while attending
Minnesota State University in Mankato.
She joined TPI in 2009 where she was a
Cook, a Banquet Server and aBartender, then a Guest Service Agent
at the Holiday Inn. In 2012 she had her
first child, a gorgeous little girl, and
enjoys playing with her, going to the park
and going for walks.
Etta Mae Alfonso, the daughter of
Kendra Alfonso from Hilton Garden Inn
Bloomington and Dan Alfonso from
Hampton Inn Minnetonka, was born at
Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park on
Thursday, April 24th at 8:39am. Sheweighed eight pounds, one ounce and
was twenty-one inches long. Please
help us congratulate the Alfonsos on
their new bundle of joy!
Lisa Barney was recently promoted
the Executive Housekeeper position
the Willmar hotels. Lisa is a New Ye
Eve baby, born in Alaska and raised
northern Minnesota. She is a Will
resident with three kids, and when shnot working she enjoys restoring salv
items to their original condition,
better! Congratulations, Lisa, and b
of luck in your new position.
Inn the news at TPI Hospitality
Denise Logman has been promoted
Sales Manager at Homewood Su
New Brighton. Denise started
hospitality career at the AmericInn
White Bear Lake as a Front Desk Ag
She worked there for three years
then joined the TPI Hospitality team
2009 as a Front Desk Agent at
Homewood Suites in New Bright
Denise lives in Shoreview with her daughters, Jessica, and Michaela. S
enjoys working for Caribou Cof
part-time as a Barista creating co
beverages and making people hap
Congratulations, Denise!
18
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 19/24
Jessica Schoenberger has recentlyjoined the Eagan campus sales team asthe new Sales and Catering Coordinator.She was born and raised in Eagan, MNand loves being able to work in her hometown. Jessica graduated from theUniversity of Northwestern – St. Paulwith a degree in Public Relations. Shehas worked in government, non-profit,
education and the private sector. In her free time Jessica enjoys any activityinvolving creativity and connecting withfamily and friends. Welcome to TPI,Jessica!
The Staybridge Suites Bloomingtonwould like to welcome Tommy
Robinson to the team in the role of Executive Housekeeper. Tommy and hisfamily moved to the Minneapolis area
from Montana, where Tommy worked inmany roles at a family of hotels andresorts. Welcome Tommy, and goodluck in your new position!
Kham Vue was recently promoted toExecutive Housekeeper at the HiltonGarden Inn Bloomington. Kham hasworked in the housekeeping departmentfor six years and it has proven to be atremendous learning opportunity for her.She says, “The entire staff motivates andsupports me at all times, and that is whywe are such a great team.” Kham is
married and has three beautifulchildren. She is very outgoing, quiet andeasy to get along with. During her sparetime, she loves spending time with her family while camping, swimming andplaying sports.
Kyle Hannan has changed addresses!Kyle previously worked at TPI’sHomewood Suites New Brighton, andrecently transferred to HomewoodSuites Rochester as Front Office
Manager. After high school, Kyle joinedthe Minnesota National Guard and wasdeployed oversees. Upon his return, hebegan working at the Rochester HiltonGarden Inn, then moved back to hishome town of Coon Rapids and joinedthe New Brighton team. Kyle and hiswife, Alyssa, have a beautiful daughter named Mavie. Kyle says, “I can proudlysay I have found my passion and I lookforward to an exciting career with TPI”.
Sara Schoenrock has recently bpromoted to SMERF Sales Managethe Eagan Campus of Hotels. Soriginally started with TPI in 2001 afront desk associate at Hilton GardenBloomington. She was promotedFront Desk Supervisor and laterExecutive Housekeeper. Sara took years off to be with her son and to tr
different career, then realized her passion for the Hospitality Industry returned to TPI. The Eagan Cam jumped at the opportunity to hire Sarathe Sales & Catering Coordinator. Sis very excited for this new opportuni
Inn the news at TPI Hospitality
As winners of the “Most Creative” bas(see above) during the 2014 TPI
BasChallenge, Homewood Suites
Louis Park was able to donate 50%the proceeds from the event to the ch
ity of their choice. They choseMiracles of Mitch Foundation as tsingle benefactor and presented organization with a check for $2,1The Miracles of Mitch Foundation hechildren with cancer and their familiesproviding basic needs support unique family programs. Kudos to entire TPI team for making this possiand to the St. Louis Park team choosing this amazing organization.
1
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 20/2420
For over twenty-two years, Innside TPI has shared the memories and told the stories of current and past TPI associates. Fro
describing the historical Halloween snow storm of 1991, through the development of over thirty new properties, to t
announcement of employee ownership, one thing has remained constant...amazing people!
Below are trivia questions created from past issues of Innside TPI. The first person to submit the correct answer to ea
question to [email protected] will be awarded a certificate for a two-night stay at any TPI hotel location. Do you know your T
history? Hint: You can find all of the past issues of Innside TPI at www.tpihospitality.com/about/innside-tpi. Good luck!
1. This TPI hotel opened on June 5th, 1998: _ _ _ _ _ N _ _ _ _ _ N I _ _ _ _ _ _ N
2. Holiday Inn Willmar 1995 Employee of the Month: _ _ _ T _ _ _ _
_
_
_
_
_
T
3. Current TPI associate who started with TPI as a Torge’s server in 1991: _ _ N _ E _ _ _
4. A current TPI General Manager who did an internship at Staybridge Suites Eagan in 2002: _ _ _ _ T _ _ _ _ _ H
5. The original hotel brand of Hampton Inn Shoreview: _ _ L _ _ _ _ _ _ N
6. This current TPI associate was named GM at Holiday Inn Express Eagan on September 11, 1997: _ O _ _ _ _ _ _ _
7. A current TPI associate who was chosen as the 1994 Perkins Austin Employee of the Year: _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ N
8. This person was the first GM at Holiday Inn Express Golden Valley: _ _ _ _ _ S _ A _ _ _ _ _ _
9. A one-time delivery driver for Green Mill, with Fargo as his home town: _ _ _ E _ A _ _ _ _ _ _ _
10. Director of Sales at the Shoreview Plaza hotel in 1995: _ _ _ D _ _ Y
11. The Holiday Inn Austin restaurant name prior to Torge’s Grille & Bar: _
_
L
_
_
_
E
12. Director of Sales at Holiday Inn Fairmont in 1995: J _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ E _ _
13. 2003 Associate of the Year at Hilton Garden Inn Shoreview: _ _ R _ _ _ _ _ L
Internships provide more than a summer jobHaley Harms receives a valuable experience in Fairmont as she pursues her degree at SMSU
Haley Harms, a student majoring in Hospitality Management at Southwest
Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN, completed a working internship this past
summer at the Holiday Inn Fairmont. She did an outstanding job helping guests andlearning all of the different departments within the hotel. Haley worked in
housekeeping, as a prep-cook in the Green Mill kitchen, all of the shifts at the front
desk (even the overnight), and attended multiple management meetings and
participated in strategic market development. Haley also attended meetings for the
Fairmont Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Minnesota Lodging Association and
was a guest at a TPI GM Council meeting. Haley was a great addition to the TPI
team over the past summer, and we expect big things from her in our industry in the
future. She is just one of many interns who have been part of the TPI Hospitality
family, if only for a summer. TPI is committed to helping develop future leaders in
our industry, and Haley has certainly “Set the example for others to follow”!
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 21/24
Whatever it takes for outrageous guest service...
“Every time I stay at Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington it’s a wonderful experience! I travel quite a lot for a living, and have fo
over thirty years, and I can say without any reservations that Sue Lawson, Kendra Alfonso, John Brandel , and Sco
Baanrud really make me feel like I am amongst friends.”
“I strongly recommend the Hilton Garden Inn Eagan to anyone. They have an awesome staff of people who make your sta
really pleasant and trouble-less. Special recognition to Chelsea Girten and Jason Davy , these guys are just top of the line
“My wife said it best, ‘From the front desk to the restaurant employees, they made us feel like we were celebrities. The
wanted to do anything to make us more comfortable. I can't tell you what to do, but I can tell you whenever my family need
to stay for the night, if we are anywhere close, we are staying at the Holiday Inn in Austin, MN!”
“I had a great experience overall and cannot thank Dan Alfonso enough for his over the top hospitality as he certainly wen
way out of his way to take care of someone that was staying at his hotel. Thank you for such wonderful help and not lettin
me go through all of the hassle and trouble of getting the car fixed or calling the rental company or taxi or anything else. Yo
made my stay that much easier and you are most definitely one of a kind. What a wonderful, wonderful gentleman simpl
pleasing a guest at your Hampton Inn & Suites in Minnetonka.”
“Please pass along my gratitude to your front desk employee, Megan Bender . She did a heroic thing by helping me ge
medical attention after going into anaphylactic shock. I have always had great experiences at the Homewood Suites in S
Louis Park, but this stay was exceptional. It is rare to find customer service at this level and I thought you should know.”
“I wanted to thank Serena Hoisington for her wonderful service this evening at Perkins in Red Wing. Her personality an
smileyness made my night! Keep it up!”
In my job, I travel all over the country every week and have stayed in some of the most expensive hotels available. Th
Fairmont Holiday Inn is the best hotel I have ever stayed in. The food is the best and the bar is the nicest and friendlies
that I have experienced in many years. The Green Mill General Manager, Mike Christians, came to our table and just talke
for several minutes while we waited for our food. He’s a great guy and a super representative of the Holiday Inn name.
“Our high regards go to Tracy Neumeyer , Lindita Fteja, Pleshette Hurm, Sarah Brandhorst , Mileydi Guevara and Stev
Carroll , a group that is always visible and involved in making this a reassuring reason to return year after year to relax
unwind and simply make us feel like Staybridge Suites Naples is our home.”
A outrageous story from Hampton Inn Shoreview: When a guest returned from work one evening, she realized she had los
the book she was reading. She realized she may have left it on the roof of her car when she left the hotel that morning. Sh
called the front desk to see if anyone had found it in the parking lot, but they had not. The woman was beside herse
because it was a library book. Sherry Mueller got in her car and drove the route. She found the book on the exit ramp t
the freeway and retrieved it for the guest. The woman was thrilled!
“There was an emergency involving my daughter. Because of the heroic actions of the Holiday Inn Maple Grov
employees, Kristin Anderson and Sandra Prill , my daughter is back in Texas. They were quick to respond not only to he
room, but to get an ambulance response also. I truly believe they saved my daughters life that evening.”
“We will stay at the SpringHill Suites Rochester every time we’re in town. We were treated like family. The personal effo
they put into our stay was above and beyond anything we have experienced before. My wife was scheduled fo
appointments at the Mayo Clinic the day of our anniversary. The hotel staff found it was our anniversary and asked if it woulbe okay to decorate our room while we were out as a surprise to my wife. They did a wonderful job.”
“On the survey question about breakfast, I wish I could have given Suzanne Sukalski a 20 out of 10! She was th
sweetest person I have ever met in my entire life. She gave me the sweetest card, one that I will keep forever, and I rea
ly needed to receive that message on that day. She really made my day and I hope I can visit again soon. I can’t sto
telling my friends about the sweet girl I met at the Fairmont Hampton Inn!”
“I am grateful for Jamie Larson and Stephanie Scharmer on the Best Western Plus side, Lynn Mattern who was the lea
in the banquet room, Carol Paulson at the Holiday Inn Express and just the entire team as they were all outstanding. I hav
done nothing but spread the word. People in small towns like ours cannot believe it. Everything was stellar!”
2
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 22/24
...continued from page 2, What if you were the owner of TPI Hospitality?
One last point I will comment on in regard to the ESOP is that all of TPI ’s leadership team will stay in place. There is anotharticle within the newsletter that outlines the corporate team at TPI. The couple of things that do change have to do with tTPI Board of Directors. I will continue to be a board member and Chairman; however, we will have two outside boamembers that include Don Haas and Bob Thurston. In addition, Ardent Trust has been appointed as the trustee on behalf YOU, the new owners of TPI. The trustee appoints the board members and provides oversight and reporting to you and tgovernment. I will now pause on the ESOP subject at this point, but you can expect further communications in the future back fill you on all of the details of how this somewhat complicated part of the federal law works. However, a significant iteto point out is that on January 1st, 2015, TPI Hospitality will become the largest 100% employee owned hospitality compa
in the nation.
We do have several large scale repositionings and new developments in the works at TPI, here is a brief summary.
The $15,000,000 Willmar Legacy Repositioning recently completed its final phase with the opening of Ruff ’s Wings & SpoBar. The entire project included a Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Best Western Plus, Willmar Conference Center, Green MRestaurant & Bar and finally Ruff ’s.
The $4,500,000 New Ulm Repositioning is nearing its completion to include Best Western Plus, New Ulm Conference Centand Green Mill Restaurant & Bar.
The $5,500,000 Golden Valley Repositioning got under way in July, will be completed this spring and will result in a brand neand expanded Holiday Inn Express & Suites.
The $4,600,000 Shoreview Repositioning got underway in August and will be completed this June resulting in a Best WestePlus, an expanded North Metro Event Center and a brand new Green Mill Restaurant & Bar.
In August, we opened a newly constructed Hampton Inn and Suites on I-394 in Minnetonka/West Minneapolis.
In November, we opened a newly constructed Homewood Suites in downtown Rochester.
In November, we started the new construction of a Hampton Inn in West Bloomington at I-494 and Normandale Blvd.
We recently closed on a deal to purchase land in Roseville on I-35W and we are in the process of getting entitlements anconstruction plans for a new Hampton Inn and a new Home2Suites by Hilton. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spriof 2015.
Beyond the above new investments that TPI has underway, we are looking for other opportunities to grow and expand in thMinneapolis, outstate Minnesota and southwest Florida markets. We are currently in negotiations on multiple deals in eachthese three markets.
I will close this article in a fashion very consistent with previous ones. That is, to communicate that I am more passionate aoptimistic about TPI today than I have ever been. We have many great things yet to accomplish together, and I am grateful be a part of this great organization. I want to thank you all for the amazing work you do day in and day out. It is your hawork that is the absolute essence of what sets us apart from our competition!
I wish you all a very enjoyable holiday season with family and friends!
~ Tom Torgerson
22
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 23/24
Did you know that every TPI associate has an opportunity to help with decision making and enhance
company wide communication through their experiences and feedback at the hotel or restaurant
level? The TPI General Manager Council meets every quarter for just that reason, and each
district/campus is represented by a member of the General Manager Council. The list below
identifies each General Manager Council representative and the representative’s constituents.
Jeremie Slagle (Holiday Inn & Suites) - Arbor Lakes (Chair)Sean Twedt - Staybridge Suites Arbor Lakes
Mark Maves - Hampton Inn Arbor Lakes
Tom Rost - Courtyard Arbor Lakes
Joel Adamson (Quality Inn & Suites) - Eagan/Red Wing
Jason Mercord - Hilton Garden Inn Eagan
Chris Carey - Staybridge Suites Eagan
Travis Stevenson - Perkins Red Wing
Tracy Benesh (Holiday Inn) - Austin/Rochester
Michael Rupkey - Courtyard Rochester
Ryan Miller - SpringHill Suites Rochester
Dan Nelson - Homewood Suites Rochester
Jason Hall (Staybridge Suites) - Bloomington/St. Louis Park/Golden Valley/Minnetonka
Emmett Lincoln - Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington
Holly Rath - Homewood Suites St. Louis Park
Amy Isaacson - Holiday Inn Express Golden Valley
Bill Godbe - Hampton Inn Minnetonka
Jason Subbert (Fairmont hotels) - Fairmont/New Ulm
Rick Neumann - Holiday Inn new Ulm
Angie Winkel - Green Mill New Ulm
Marc Meier - Perkins Fairmont
Michael Christians - Green Mill Fairmont
Janet Demuth (Country Inn & Suites) - Willmar/Naples
Dave Fiest - Best Western Plus Willmar, Holiday Inn Express Willmar, Days Inn Willmar
Tim Mattern - Green Mill Willmar, Ruff ’s Wings & Sports bar
Tracy Neumeyer - Staybridge Suites Naples
Tony Donatelle (Green Mill Shoreview) - Shoreview/New Brighton
Julie Fuller - Hampton Inn Shoreview
Todd Roy - Homewood Suites New Brighton
Julie Johnson - Hilton Garden Inn Shoreview
The more feedback and input the General Manager Council receives from the property level, the
better we can achieve the intent of the General Manager Council mission, “ To create a vehiclecomprised of TPI General Managers to refine and evaluate TPI big picture decision making and
enhance company wide communication through field based feedback and input.” As new owners, it
is critically important that we all communicate freely and build trust at all levels of the organization.
Doing so will only enhance our ability to grow. Please help us make the General Manager Council
an important part of our communication efforts by providing your observations and comments. You
can reach out to your representative or contact your general manager if there are areas of
discussion, concerns or communication you would like addressed or clarified. The next meeting is
scheduled in New Ulm on Tuesday, February 3rd.
~ Jeremie Slagle, General Manager Council Chair
2
Honest and straightforward communicationTPI’s General Manager Council provides an opportunity for companywide communication
8/10/2019 Innside TPI Winter 2014 - E-mail Copy.pdf
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/innside-tpi-winter-2014-e-mail-copypdf 24/24
TPI Hospitality
Water’s Edge Professional Building
103 15th Avenue NW Suite 200
P.O. Box 1020
Willmar, MN 56201
Phone: 320-235-7207
At TPI Hospitality, we believe in our associates...
“Whatever It Takes For Outrageous Guest Service
...You Have The Power!”
...continued from page 3, Laying the ground work for becoming an ESOP
Operations Team:
Joel Vogler Senior Vice President - Hotel Operations
Dennis Wallenta Senior Vice President - Hotel Operations
Pete Bromelkamp Senior Vice President - Human Resources
Dee Anne Osborne Senior Vice President - Sales and Marketing
Bob Smith Senior Vice President - Facilities Maintenance
Mike Lamoureux Vice President - Restaurant Operations
Larry Eisenberg Vice President - Restaurant Operations
John Cox Vice President - Revenue Management StrategiesJessica Kloss Vice President - eCommerce Strategies
To Be Determined Director of Hotel Operations
Becca Gross Director - Sales Support
Chad Pemberton Coordinator - Sales, Revenue & eCommerce
I would like to personally thank each of you for your contributions on a daily basis. Without question, your efforts are t
backbone of TPI’s success.
I hope that you all have a great holiday season and can find an opportunity to inventory the blessings in your life. I also lo
forward to seeing each of you after the first of the year as you enjoy your new titles within TPI…that of “Employee Owner”!
~ Mitch Peterson
T PI Hospitality...”Working like owners, thinking like guests!”