News

Eagle’s Rest Inn wins AF, AMC awards

  • Published
  • By Roland Balik
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Representing Air Mobility Command, the Eagle’s Rest Inn was recently recognized as the winner of the Air Force 2018 Innkeeper Award in the small base category.

This was the second time the Eagle’s Rest Inn has won the award in the small base category (285 rooms or less), with 2011 being the first. Dover competed against three other bases for the win in the small base category.

Additionally, the Inn has won the AMC Innkeeper Award seven times: 2002, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2017 and 2018.

“The biggest contributing factor in winning this award was the team effort,” said Rauchelle Watson, 436th Force Support Squadron lodging manager. “In my opinion, the difference between our lodging facility and lodging facilities at other bases is the team is like family and everyone helps each other. We have a lot of longevity here with our staff.”

The Air Force Services Agency evaluated Dover AFB’s lodging this past May on 273 line items during an on-site visit by observing front desk service, housekeeping, operations (logistics/maintenance) and management.

“We’ve been able to maintain a 96-97 percent customer service satisfaction rate every month,” said Watson. “We are ranked number eight out of 89 Air Force installations in customer service.”

The evaluation team nominated Marti Hosterman, 436th FSS lodging custodial worker supervisor, to represent Dover for the Innkeeper Travelers’ Award based on her customer service, attitude, professionalism and knowledge of inn operations. She is among seven other individuals vying for this Air Force level award.

As supervisor of 18 personnel, Hosterman said “comradery among our staff is important to us as well as cleanliness of the facility.”

The evaluation team also recognized the following individuals and teams as Star Performers:

Henry Daniels (Materials Handler)
Starlet Harden (Guest Services Representative)
Teresita Perez-Davis (Accounting Technician)
Dannie Powell (Supply Technician)
Salvatore Rizzo (Guest Services Manager)
Francisca Studdard (Lead Guest Services Representative)
Master Sgt. Elias Tekelehaimanot (Operations Manager)
Julia Voyiatzidakis (Guest Services Representative)
Rauchelle Watson (Lodging Manager)
Housekeeping Team
Maintenance Team

"The professionalism, dedication, teamwork and leadership of our lodging team are what brought home this win for Team Dover,” said Lt. Col. Brooke Brander-Soto, 436th FSS commander. “I couldn't be more proud of the men and women at the Eagle’s Rest Inn, who work 24/7 to make this team a shining example for the Air Force. As we like to say in FSS...the best never rest!"

Trophies for the large base (Incirlik Air Base, Turkey) and small base category winners, as well as the recipient of this year’s Innkeeper Travelers’ Award are scheduled to be presented later this year at the 2018 Lodging Managers Leadership Training, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.