The Coachella Valley High School-Hospitality Academy 2016 CVB Scholarship Winners

Each recipient received $1,000 thanks to generous contributions by Gary Cardiff, Owner/President of Cardiff Limousine & Transportation; Rolf Hoehn, Director of Business Development for the Indian Wells Tennis Garden; Jay Chesterton, Vice President Hotel Operations and Food & Beverage at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino; Harold Matzner, philanthropist and restaurant owner and the CVB.

  • Adrian Guadarrama

  • Alyssa Silva

  • Madai Gil

  • Delilah Naranjo

  • Karen G. Osorio

  • Aylene Sicairos

  • Julissa Quintana

Hospitality Awards
Bolded names and * denotes winners

City of Palm Springs

FRONTLINE WINNER:
Avalon Hotel and Bungalows: Don Devine*

BACK OF HOUSE WINNERS:
Ace Hotel & Swim Club: Antonio Garcia*

dish Creative Cuisine: Tony Knowles*                    

City of Desert Hot Springs

FRONTLINE WINNERS:
El Morocco Inn & Spa: Florence Martin*  

BACK OF HOUSE WINNERS:
Two Bunch Palms, Facilities Team*: Ilia Torres, Patrick McConnell, Billy Harp, Mario Fuentes, Luis Ramirez, Juan Parra, Reyes Martinez, Omar Aguilar Quintero, Ruben Alonso and Jose Zavala

City of Cathedral City

FRONTLINE WINNER:
City of Cathedral City: Chris Parman*

BACK OF HOUSE WINNERS:
DoubleTree by Hilton Golf Resort Palm Springs: Amparo Martinez*

City of Rancho Mirage

FRONTLINE WINNER:
The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage: Donald Maselli Jr.*

BACK OF HOUSE WINNERS:
The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa: Gloria Hernandez* 

City of Palm Desert

FRONTLINE WINNER:
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa: Maria Elena Sembenini*

BACK OF HOUSE WINNERS:
Cardiff Limousine & Transportation: Stephen Tabberer* 

City of Indian Wells

FRONTLINE WINNER:
Miramonte Resort & Spa: Esteban Gonzalez*

BACK OF HOUSE WINNERS:
Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa: Kaylene Gustafson* 

City of La Quinta

FRONTLINE WINNER:
Homewood Suites by Hilton La Quinta: David Ramierz* 

La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA West, a Waldorf Astoria Resort: Magdalena Trevizo*

BACK OF HOUSE WINNERS:
La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA West, a Waldorf Astoria Resort: Alicia Palu*

City of Indio

FRONTLINE WINNER:
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino: Andrea Perez* 

BACK OF HOUSE WINNERS:
Jackalope Ranch: Saya Khem*

City of Coachella

FRONTLINE WINNER:
Coachella Chamber of Commerce: Elsa Reyes* 

BACK OF HOUSE WINNERS:
BMW Performance Center West at The Thermal Club: Kevin Beltran*

Palm Award: Recognition of Partnership

BMW Performance Center West at The Thermal Club

Oasis Award: Recognition of Sustainability

Augustine Casino

Santa Rosa Award: Recognition of Destination Excellence

Mary Jo Ginther, Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism

San Jacinto Award: Recognition of Dedication

Modernism Week

Spirit of Toursim Award: Presented to an exemplary organization or individual who embodies the spirit of tourism

Palm Springs Life Magazine

Hospitality Award Nominees
City of Palm Springs

FRONTLINE NOMINEES:

Ace Hotel & Swim Club: Edwin Quijada, Eva Pacheco, Shannon Mesey, Vibian Carias  

Brian Wanzek /Bella da Ball  

Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs: Monica Escobar         

Brandini Toffee Palm Springs: Brandon Weimer  

Desert Paradise Resort Hotel: Karol Martinez            

dish Creative Cuisine: Spencer Bartlett  

Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge: Willie Rhine, Charlene Magdaleno             

Hilton Palm Springs: Janette Flores            

Hyatt Palm Springs: Ahmed Elkadim, Alan Khu, Barry Salyer, Guillermo Aparacio  

Kaiser Grille Palm Springs: Ben Segura    

L'Horizon Resort and Spa: Nathan Nichols          

LULU California Bistro: Michael Flaherty  

Oranj Palm Vacation Homes: Denni Russell             

Palm Springs Convention Center: Kristie Dore  

Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel: Janeth Mejia, Mark Quesada    

The Saguaro Hotel & Pool: Mario Mora, Robert Ramirez, Michelle Smith                       

SO•PA at L'Horizon Resort & Spa: Michael Worth            

Spa Resort Casino: Tammy Van Fossen                                                  

Purple Room Supper Club: Shawna Santillanes                                       

The Tropicale Restaurant & Coral Seas Lounge: Derrik Lewis Musical & Trio

BACK OF HOUSE NOMINEES:

Ace Hotel & Swim Club: Salvador Jimenez      

Avalon Hotel and Bungalows: Chris Canseco  

Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs: Children's Center Team

Desert Paradise Resort Hotel: Dale Dawursk  

Hilton Palm Springs: Elizabeth Encino 

Hyatt Palm Springs: Aurelio Martinez, Silvestre Aparicio-Ceballo, Vilma Rodriguez, Victor Lopez               

Kaiser Grille Palm Springs: Carlos Carmona  

Oranj Palm Vacation Homes: Denni Russell   

Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel: Giselle Lopez, Byron Solares            
Spa Resort Casino: Linda Murrell              

Streetbar            

City of Desert Hot Springs

FRONTLINE NOMINEES:

Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce: Heather Coladonato  

Playoffs Sports Bar and Bar One Catering: Eric Pontius  

Two Bunch Palms: Jennifer Strand          

BACK OF HOUSE NOMINEES:

Miracle Springs Resort & Spa: Krystal Bradley   

City of Cathedral City

FRONTLINE NOMINEES:

Enterprise Rent-a-Car: Keith Gilad  

UltraStar Mary Pickford Theatres: Management Team   

Piazza Trilussa Ristorante: Pablo Cetina   

BACK OF HOUSE NOMINEES:

Bontá Restaurant & Bar: Chef Hector Salvatierra         

UltraStar Mary Pickford Theatres: Miriam Navarro    ​

City of Rancho Mirage

FRONTLINE NOMINEES:

Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa: Erin Vetere     

Catalan Mediterranean Cuisine: Cynthia Davis  

Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa: David Woo  

Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Information: Patty Szymik & Loraine Mace  

The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage: Bruce Reifel, Neno (Nedzad) Ceranic  

The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa: Brandon Christensen, Gisel Martinez, Ashley Lively, Darryl Lee Tidwell, Jose Luis Gonzalez, Marco Sosa, Maricela Orozco, Raul Gomez, Rene Lopez-Gastelum, Ashley Gurrola    

The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas: Anisa Khov   

BACK OF HOUSE NOMINEES:

Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa: Marcos Ramirez        

The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa: Alexander Camacho, Angelo Dewitt, Jesus “Jesse” Medina, Hector Chacon, Julio Melendez, Margarita Cardoso, William Alfaro  

The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas: Alfredo Torres  

City of Palm Desert

FRONTLINE NOMINEES:

Big Wheel Tours: Amy Kearney  

CVSPIN, Inc. dba Tour de Palm Springs: Daphne Jasperse  

Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Events: Emelie Pittendrigh  

JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa: Mirko Marchi, Dixie Smith    

Kaiser Restaurant Group: Aurissa Parsons  

Leeds & Son Fine Jewelers: Brett Stein  

Marriott Desert Springs Villas: Sarah Joseph  

Marriott's Shadow Ridge Resort: Matt Mailander  

The Living Desert: Park Services 

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar: Jenessa Kelly  

Westin Desert Willow Villas: David Santillan

Wilma & Frieda's Cafe: Nick D'Elia  

WP Kitchen + Bar: Kayla Pritchard & Front of House Staff   

BACK OF HOUSE NOMINEES:

Big Wheel Tours: Ali Snowden  

Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Event: Khail Keeler    

Leeds & Son Fine Jewelers: Brett Stein      

Marriott's Shadow Ridge Resort: Marlena Tamayo       

The Living Desert: Stacey Watson          

Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar: Margarito Hernandez  

Westin Desert Willow Villas: Angel Zamora            

Wilma & Frieda's Cafe: Chad Spears              

WP Kitchen + Bar: Lily Pavon & Back of House Staff   

City of Indian Wells

FRONTLINE WINNER:

Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa: Maria Romero and The Team at Agua Serena Spa  

Miramonte Resort & Spa: Amy Ruiz

Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa: Katie Skrajewski, Eric Theiss, Kip Reuman   

BACK OF HOUSE WINNERS:

Indian Wells Resort Hotel: Adela Alvarez  

Miramonte Resort & Spa: Jose Vasquez            

Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Sp: Kelly Hall

City of La Quinta

FRONTLINE NOMINEES:

COJ Events: Cathy O'Connell        

Embassy Suites La Quinta Hotel & Spa: Patty Cabrera            

La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA WEST, a Waldorf Astoria Resort: Jose Pepe Guerrero

BACK OF HOUSE NOMINEES:

Embassy Suites La Quinta Hotel & Spa: Mark Correa, Mike Beck  

Homewood Suites by Hilton La Quinta: David Ramirez   

City of Indio

FRONTLINE NOMINEES:

Fantasy Springs Resort Casin: Brenda Villalobos

Jackalope Ranch: Charles Paul   

BACK OF HOUSE NOMINEES:

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino: Santiago Sepulveda  

Indio Super 8 & Suites: Erika Campana   

City of Coachella

FRONTLINE NOMINEES:

BMW Performance Center West at The Thermal Club: Adam Seaman   

BACK OF HOUSE NOMINEES:

City of Coachella: Maritza Martinez   

Palm Award: Recognition of Partnership Nominees

  • Babe's Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse

  • PSAV Presentation Services

  • JNS Media Specialists

  • Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

  • IW Coffee

  • Indio Super 8 & Suites

  • Colt's Lodge

  • Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism

  • Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Events

  • Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce

  • Live Magazine

  • THE SPRING - A Natural Hot Mineral Spring Resort & Spa

  • Palm Springs Life

  • Spa Resort Casino

  • City of Palm Springs Special Events Planning

  • The SoCal Coyotes

  • Celebrity Tours and Palm Springs Windmill Tours

  • CVSPIN, Inc. dba Tour de Palm Springs Patriot Ride for our Heroe

Oasis Award: Recognition of Sustainability Nominees

  • Jamie Humphrey, Coachella Valley Brewing Co.

  • Jon Nelson and Frank Young, Colt’s Lodge

  • La Quinta Resort & Club and PGA WEST, a Waldorf Astoria Resort

  • Laurie Baldwin, Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce

  • Savoury's, Inc. at the Palm Springs Convention Center

  • Sunnylands Center & Gardens

  • College of the Desert

Santa Rosa Award: Recognition of Destination Excellence Nominees

  • Arthur Vasquez, Babe's Bar-B-Que & Brewhouse

  • Chris Pardo & Partners, ARRIVE Palm Springs

  • Dan Pferschy, Spa Resort Casino

  • Daphne Jasperse, CVSPIN, Inc. dba Tour de Palm Springs Patriot Ride for our Heroes

  • Gabe Codding, ANA Inspiration

  • Jonetta Page, Lamar Advertising of Palm Springs

  • Jordan Fife, L'Horizon Resort & Spa

  • Karyn Menicci, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa

  • Khail Keeler, Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Events

  • Kimberly Nilsson, Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours & Events

  • Lars Thane Mauro Passerini & Sharon Burger, A Transportation Service

  • Lois Anderson, Gadabout Vacations and Anderson Travel

  • Richard Kip Serafin, Locations 760 | The KiP Group

  • Robert Barrett, City of Rancho Mirage

  • Victor Quevedo, Hilton Palm Springs

  • Destination PSP, Inc.

San Jacinto Award: Recognition of Dedication Nominees

  • Ace Hotel and Swim Club

  • Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce

  • DoubleTree by Hilton Golf Resort Palm Springs

  • Desert Rocks Indoor Climbing Gym

  • Melissa Morgan Fine Art

  • Desert Hot Springs Inn