好客英雄
并非所有英雄都穿着斗篷。
有的人系着围裙,有的人穿着马球衫,还有的人戴着厨师帽。探索西雅图南区 "将重点介绍辛勤工作的普通人是如何为我们的社区带来巨大变化的。
Dave Sousa: Volunteer, Highline Heritage Museum
Dave Sousa goes above and beyond in his service to the community through the Highline Heritage Museum. Whether managing facilities or leading major events, he consistently makes a meaningful impact. His generosity and hard work have left a lasting mark on both the museum and the people it serves. Dave’s selflessness and dedication reflect his true character—one of strength, kindness, and compassion. His unwavering commitment to helping others makes him not just a valued team member but a true community hero.
Mehdi Jumale: Owner, Tawakal Supermarket + Halal Grocery + Deli
In 2019, Mehdi Jumale and his family opened Tawakal Supermarket + Halal Grocery + Deli, SeaTac’s first Somali-owned grocery and deli. Through the challenges of the pandemic, Mehdi remained dedicated to serving a diverse community, offering flavors from Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. Last year, he wowed guests at sold-out food tours, introducing them to Somali cuisine and the rich stories behind each dish. More than just a restaurant, Tawakal has grown into a welcoming cultural hub, expanding its market to meet the demand for authentic spices and ethnic foods. For Mehdi, it’s all about creating a space that feels like home—one meal at a time.
Christina Arokiasamy: Founder, Culture Generation & SeaTac Culture and Food Tours
Christina Arokiasamy is an award-winning cookbook author and a celebrated host on the Food Network and Cooking Channel. With years of experience as an executive chef at several Four Seasons resorts, she also holds the honor of being the first Malaysian food ambassador to the U.S.
With funding from the City of SeaTac, Christina launched a series of sold-out cuisine-based cultural tours last year, introducing guests to the deep connections between food, culture, and history. While Peru and East Africa may be thousands of miles apart, their spices and culinary traditions share striking similarities. Christina’s ability to weave storytelling into these experiences makes her an extraordinary hospitality ambassador, sharing the world’s flavors one dish at a time.
Junie Antonio: Houseman Supervisor, Hilton Seattle Airport
Junie Antonio is a dedicated leader at the Hilton Seattle Airport, assisting across multiple departments and always going the extra mile for guests and colleagues. His pride in his work is evident in everything he does, from maintaining high standards to fostering a positive team environment. Known for his warm smile and exceptional leadership, Junie embodies the spirit of hospitality, ensuring that every guest’s experience is nothing short of excellent.
Sayveonce Smiley: Director of Sales, BMI Hospitality Management
As the Director of Sales for BMI Hospitality Management, Sayveonce Smiley oversees sales for four of SeaTac’s busiest hotels: Aloft, Fairfield Inn, Holiday Inn & Suites, and Hampton Inn & Suites. However, her impact extends far beyond these properties—she is a true ambassador for the entire Southside region.
Sayveonce attends trade shows across the country, passionately promoting the area’s hospitality scene. She doesn’t just sell four hotels—she sells the entire experience of staying in SeaTac. Whether greeting meeting planners at SEA Airport or representing the region at national conferences, her energy and enthusiasm are unmatched. Keeping up with Sayveonce is no easy feat, but her dedication to showcasing the best of Southside hospitality is truly inspiring.
Jade (Kurt) Carino: Lead Banquet Server, Skybridge Seattle Airport Hotel
Kurt Carino is an outstanding team member at the Skybridge Seattle Airport Hotel, known for his versatility, strong communication skills, and ability to adapt to any situation. His deep knowledge of banquet operations, from managing menus to handling last-minute AV changes, has made him an invaluable asset to the team. His hard work and dedication were recognized when he was named Employee of the Year in 2023 and Employee of the Month in 2024. Kurt’s contributions extend beyond his department, reflecting his unwavering commitment to excellence and teamwork.
Scott Wilkins: Harbormaster, City of Des Moines
With over 29 years of service at the City of Des Moines Marina, Scott Wilkins has dedicated his career to creating a thriving, safe, and accessible waterfront for residents and visitors alike. Before stepping into his role as Harbormaster, he served as Marina Maintenance Manager and Assistant Harbormaster, gaining invaluable experience in marina operations. Scott is not only a respected leader in his field but also serves on the Board of Directors of the Pacific Coast Congress of Harbormasters and Port Managers.
His expertise is backed by certifications in Harbor Administration, Marina Structure and Materials, and Oil Spill Prevention from the University of Alaska Southeast. A lifelong Des Moines resident, Scott enjoys traveling and spending time with his family and grandchildren. His passion for service extends far beyond the marina, as he continuously seeks ways to make a lasting impact on the community he calls home.
Myunghee Ji: Pathfinder, Port of Seattle
Myunghee Ji’s dedication and work ethic shine through in everything she does as a Pathfinder at the Port of Seattle. No matter how long the day or how demanding the situation, she approaches her role with focus, resilience, and a smile. Navigating the fast-paced airport environment requires patience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to customer service—qualities Myunghee embodies effortlessly. Whether she’s guiding lost travelers, managing unexpected challenges, or ensuring smooth airport operations, she remains calm under pressure and dedicated to helping others. Her ability to handle stressful situations with grace and professionalism makes her an invaluable part of the team. For Myunghee, every day is an opportunity to make someone’s journey a little easier, and she takes immense pride in doing her job exceptionally well.
Gifty Eghan: Customer Service Agent, Alaska Airlines
Gifty was tailor-made for her role as a Customer Service Agent with Alaska Airlines. With her warm personality and unwavering patience, she makes every traveler feel welcome, even in the most stressful situations. The job isn’t easy—it requires quick thinking, problem-solving, and a constant smile despite long hours and unexpected challenges. Yet, Gifty remains ever-enthusiastic, always ready to assist with a kind word or a reassuring presence. Whether helping first-time flyers navigate the airport or resolving last-minute travel hiccups, she takes pride in ensuring each passenger’s journey starts on the right note. For Gifty, customer service isn’t just a job—it’s a calling.
探索西雅图南区为好客英雄庆生
探索西雅图南区 "重点介绍了每天辛勤工作的人们如何为我们的社区带来巨大的变化。我们相信,在我们的行业中,每天都有令人难以置信的人在做出改变,他们应该被表彰为 "酒店业英雄"。过去几年的英雄来自南区的酒店、飞行博物馆、Sound Transit 和当地的餐馆。其中一位英雄在厨房工作了 32 年之久,另一位英雄每天帮助数百名游客在混乱的轻轨系统中穿梭。我们的许多英雄都在聚光灯下工作,虽然他们可能并不显眼,但他们的影响却是至关重要的。
Heroes across various roles in the hospitality industry will be celebrated for their hard work, selflessness, and contributions to their teams at the SEA Airport Luncheon hosted by the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce on January 23, 2025. As award recipients, the heroes will receive a complimentary invitation for themselves and a +1 to join the event and to receive public recognition.
您可以通过阅读 2023 年的获奖者名单,了解更多关于 "好客英雄 "奖的信息。
提名 2024 年英雄班
Dear Seattle Southside hospitality associates,
We want to recognize your incredible team members for all the hard work they’ve done this year!
For the past several years, Explore Seattle Southside has recognized heroes in our hospitality industry with a Hospitality Heroes Award. At this year’s Seattle Southside Chamber’s Annual SEA Luncheon on Thursday, January 23, 2025, Explore Seattle Southside would like to recognize one of your heroes, someone that embodies the true spirit of hospitality.
We believe that we have incredible people that make a difference every day in our industry and that they should be recognized as Hospitality Heroes. Heroes from the past several years came from our Southside region’s hotels, the Museum of Flight, Sound Transit, and our local restaurants. One hero has been a powerhouse in the kitchen for over 32 years, another helped hundreds of visitors navigate the confusing light rail system each day. Many of our heroes work behind the spotlight and, while they may not be visible, their impact in essential.
At this year’s Seattle Southside Chamber's (rescheduled) 2024 SEA Luncheon on January 23, 2025, we would like to recognize our Hospitality Heroes for 2024. As award recipients, the heroes will receive a complimentary invitation for themselves and a +1 to join the event and to receive public recognition. They will also be featured on the Explore Seattle Southside webpage celebrating all of our heroes.
I hope that you can help us celebrate your incredible staff by nominating one or more of your team members for recognition as one of our 2024 Hospitality Heroes. You can submit a nomination by filling out this form and emailing it to HospitalityHeroes@SeattleSouthside.com. Or, online nominations can be made below.
Submit your nomination by December 31, 2024.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions,
Thank you,
Mark Everton
President & CEO
Nominations
Please use the form below to nominate an outstanding person in the hospitality industry you believe should be recognized. You may submit multiple nominations, but please submit a separate form for each nomination.