Happy Valley Hospitality Awards Recognize 5 for Excellence in Service and Leadership

The inaugural Happy Valley Hospitality Awards recently recognized five individuals working in the local food, beverage and lodging industries for excellence in service and leadership.

Presented on Nov. 10 before an audience of nearly 150 community leaders at The Mt. Nittany Overlook Event Center, the awards are part of a campaign launched in the summer by the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau to recognize and appreciate hospitality workers. Nominations for five categories opened in October.

“After the challenges our hospitality businesses faced during the pandemic, and with continued labor and supply chain hurdles, we feel there is no better time than now to celebrate the dedicated, hard-working individuals driving Happy Valley hospitality,” HVAB President and CEO Fritz Smith said in a statement. “It is something we have wanted to do for quite some time, but reinforcing the value of our hospitality workers – true frontline tourism ambassadors – holds even greater meaning now.”

Pat Romano Jr., owner and chef at Philipsburg’s We Are Inn, received the Peter J. Walker Spirit of Hospitality Award. The honor is given in memory of Walker, who served as manager of Penn’s Cave & Wildlife Park for 50 years and who died earlier this year. It honors an individual who exemplifies the traits Walker brought to his work: “leading by example with an incomparable work ethic; a commitment to serving others; leaving a positive impact on those around him; and being an enthusiastic ambassador for Happy Valley,” according to HVAB.

Romano was credited for being a hands-on owner who “treats guests like family, and dedicates his time to running the Inn with his wife, as well as creating a delicious menu for customers.” In addition to creating friendly establishment that feels like a community, Romano is known for donating food to local charity events and hosting free tailgates for anyone staying at the Inn on Penn State football weekends. 

“I am honored to have my name mentioned in the same sentence as Peter Walker, and I am truly humbled by this recognition,” Romano said. “The spirit of hospitality is really a culture fostered across a team. My team includes my wife, Jennifer, our five children, and all of our staff at The We Are Inn. We work together to achieve goals, and we share the spirit of hospitality.”

Here’s a look at each of the other winners:

Excellence in Service, Food & Beverage: Judy Karaky, general manager at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center, 215 Innovation Boulevard, State College

Karaky has been with the Penn Stater for 20 years and, according to peers, was the “glue that helped hold the hotel together during the pandemic,” while providing a positive experience for visitors. Following Penn State’s announcement in June that it was selling the hotel and the subsequent departure of some staff, “Karaky stepped up to work with upper management to consider solutions to the resulting strain on the hotel’s ability to service customers,” according to a news release.

“I am incredibly honored to be nominated by my peers for this award. Every single one of my co-workers know that I would not be successful in this position without their dedication, high standards, focus on service, flexibility, passion, teamwork, grit and sense of humor,” Karaky said. “I am accepting this award for our entire team, because it’s been as a team that we’ve provided consistent and memorable hospitality despite the challenges we continually face.”

Excellence in Leadership, Food & Beverage: Kieran Kempton, bar manager at Olde New York, 2298 E. College Ave., State College

Kempton has been working in hospitality for nearly his entire life, starting at the age of 5 when he sold pretzels at the Bush House in Bellefonte, which was owned by his father. For the last 15 years he’s been with his family’s Olde New York restaurant, where he “has a true passion for customers, staff and the products he provides to others.

“It has been said, ‘Walking into Olde New York is more like walking into your neighbor’s house rather than into a bar, and Kieran’s leadership has a lot to do with that,'” according to HVAB.

Excellence in Service, Lodging: Michael Houser, guest relations manager at Comfort Suites, 132 Village Drive, State College

Houser goes above and beyond in his passion and dedication serve others, according to HVAB. Connecticut parents who made Comfort Suites their place to stay while their daughter was in college at Penn State wrote that Houser helped make those visits “the most amazing time.”

“We have told everyone we know about Michael and what an amazing young professional he is,” they wrote. “We have stayed at many hotels around the world and some amazing places, but never have we met anyone that can fill Michael’s shoes.”

Houser said he was grateful that hard work and dedication to the hospitality industry do not gone unnoticed.

“I really appreciate this award-giving system as it helps us to know our value, and work more energetically,” he said.

Excellence in Leadership, Lodging: Lyndsey Greenland, general manager at Rolling Rails Lodge, 248 Custred Lane, Port Matilda

Greenland has grown a wedding and event venue from the ground up while being a mother of three. She helped Rolling Rails Lodge survive a tough time during the pandemic at the same time she was raising her children, who were home doing online studies. “She did so with grace and compassion for her clients, who were so uncertain of what their big day looked like that they never blinked,” according to the release, which added that, despite the stress, “her clients saw nothing but an assuring professional,” who worked to provide them the best experience.

“I am so incredibly honored to be recognized alongside this wonderful group of hospitality professionals,” Greenland said. “I share this award with my family; Gerald and Kelly Greenland, my husband, Shaun, and our three beautiful kiddos. It is a total team effort in our small family business. We have met so many incredible people along the way and it means the world to us that we can share in the excitement and joy of their special days. I truly believe that every interaction you have is an opportunity to make a positive impact, it doesn’t matter how big or how small as long as it’s positive, I hope I’m able to do that.”

Smith said the HVAB staff and board are proud of each of the honorees and the contributions of the entire Centre County hospitality industry to the community.

“Through the hospitality campaign itself and the awards nomination process, it is clear that Centre County has some truly amazing people driving our hospitality industry,” he said. “We look forward to honoring some of these individuals each year, and encourage residents and visitors to get to know their stories.”