The 28th Annual Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association presented the Hotel Community Service Award to The Graham Companies’ Hospitality Division during the Inn Key Awards luncheon held April 23rd at the InterContinental Miami hotel.
The recognition during the industry gathering was significant for The Graham Companies because it’s when hospitality, corporate, and government leaders celebrate excellence in the workplace and in this case, acknowledge a history of service to others.
The award was also special because the company’s community service initiatives are employee-driven, said Andrea Graham Rechichi, vice president of corporate relations for The Graham Companies. It shined a light on efforts such as the Corey for St. Jude Golf Tournament, which from 2003 - 2023 has raised $911,750 for pediatric cancer treatment; landscaping eight homes for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami, and since 2008, hosting the annual B Fore Pink Golf Tournament to benefit the Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative and holding fundraisers at the Miami Lakes Athletic Club to raise awareness about breast cancer.
In a letter to the winners, Graham Rechichi wrote, “Our company prides itself on being family-owned and managed, but our employees are the heart of our “Graham Family.” The Graham Hospitality team has always been leaders in service, not just because it is part of their business but because it is the core of who they are.”
Graham Hospitality nominated four staffers who represented the division: Caroline Suarez, Front Office Employee of the Year who connects with guests, is a dedicated mentor and invaluable as guest services supervisor, the company and colleagues said. Cidoine Exime, Food and Beverage Employee of the Year is a busser at ML Steaks + Sports Restaurant who loves to help people and is a model employee in the front of the house. Joe Louis Morales, Recreation Employee of the Year, is one of the most valued, caring and giving employees at the Miami Lakes Athletic Club, whose colleagues called him a star. Wilnor Beauchamp, Culinary/Kitchen Employee of the Year, is a steward at ML Steaks + Sports Restaurant who takes on tasks no one else wants to do, is a self-starter and an unsung hero to his coworkers and guests, his nomination forms said. Photos courtesy of The Graham Companies.
In the first photo, accepting the Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association presented the Hotel Community Service Award are from left Anthony Artiles, general manager, Miami Lakes Athletic Club; Andrea Graham Rechichi, vice president of corporate relations for The Graham Companies; David Healy, vice president and general manager, Graham Hospitality and treasurer, the Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association; Tim Sticco, superintendent of the Miami Lakes Golf Club and Wendy Kallergis, president and chief executive officer, the Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association.
In the second photo from left, Annette Prior-Perez, assistant general manager, Miami Lakes Athletic Club; Samantha Santana, front desk manager, Miami Lakes Athletic Club; Yissela Velazquez, reservations manager, Miami Lakes Hotel on Main; Alex Garcia, director of Sales and Marketing; Jennifer Aleman, Human Resources coordinator; Front Office Employee of the Year Caroline Suarez; Alina Molina, vice president, Human Resources; Food and Beverage Employee of the Year Cidoine Exime; Andy Gonzalez, Human Resources programs and projects specialist; Grace Orejas, Human Resources business partner; Marie Sylvie Beauchamp, Culinary/Kitchen employee and sister of Wilnor Beauchamp, ML Steaks + Sports; Eva Fernandez-Miranda, executive assistant; John Pinilla, manager, ML Steaks + Sports; David Healy, vice president and general manager, Graham Hospitality and treasurer, the Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association; Culinary/Kitchen Employee of the Year Wilnor Beauchamp; Tim Sticco, superintendent of the Miami Lakes Golf Club; John Reed, director of Operations, Miami Lakes Golf Club; Recreation Employee of the Year Joe Louis Morales; Rene Capo, Guest Services manager, Miami Lakes Hotel on Main; Andrea Graham Rechichi, vice president of Corporate Relations for The Graham Companies; Anthony Artiles, general manager, Miami Lakes Athletic Club and Fran Marte, director of Operations, Hospitality.