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Everton Richard’s journey in the hospitality industry began as a pool attendant and waiter at Fern Hill Club, Portland. “I worked there for three years, my job was to clean the swimming pool and since I was living in the compound, I used to double up as a waiter.” Richards moved to Kingston and later joined Hilton Kingston, in 2001 as a security officer. His experience in Fern Hill came handy here, when a vacancy for Bellman arose in 2003; he applied for the position immediately. He likes his job and looks forward to meeting new guests every day. “As bellman my job entails assisting the guests with check in, taking them to their rooms and introducing them to the hotel,” Richards explained. A Seventh Day Adventist by faith, Richards was born and brought up at Ft. George, St. Mary near Annotto Bay. “I went to St. Mary Technical High School where I learnt the skill of Electrical Installation,” he tells Hospitality Jamaica. “It was a very nice, but a very small community, so I h...

Amitabh Sharma, Hospitality Jamaica Senior Writer A call to the Hilton Kingston hotel gives you a fair chance of being greeted by the pleasant voice of Patrick Lewis. "I love to be the first point of contact, it comes naturally," declared Lewis, telecommunications agent at the hotel. He said that he views this position with pride and takes it seriously. "There is no room for complacency," he said, "Guests can smell service from a zillion miles." Lewis, who joined Hilton Kingston in December 2005, displays the same zeal and professionalism five years down the line. He attributes this attitude to the high standards that were expected of him by his parents when he was growing up. "My parents were instrumental in instilling values of honesty, integrity and best practices, which help me till today," the 37-year-old Lewis recalled. He grew up in Portmore, St Catherine, where he attended Independence City All-Age and then went to Kingston Techni...

Amitabh Sharma Hospitality Jamaica Senior Writer Published March 17, 2010 Hospitality Jamaica Sheldon Traille loves to shoot – that is, as a videographer and photographer at Dolphin Cove, St Ann. He trains his lenses to freeze the right moment. “I capture their (the guests) special, once in a lifetime moment,” said Traille. Sheldon was working at Pizza Man as a waiter when he met Gregory Burrowes, Vice President of Dolphin Cove Ltd., who was so impressed with his customer service that he told him to come to Dolphin Cove and fill out an employment application. Sheldon came was interviewed and hired as a photographer in the Video Department. He has been at Dolphin Cove since April 2005. “When I applied the only post available was of video and photographer, I took up the offer,” he said. Having no prior experience in the field did not deter Traille, who learned the ropes in a jiffy. “I watched and felt what they did and I did the same thing, I was taking photos and videos f...

Amitabh Sharma Hospitality Jamaica Senior Writer Published March 17, 2010 Hospitality Jamaica It was her curiosity for the establishment that brought Ruthlyn Henry to Jamaica Pegasus hotel. “I used to wonder how the building looked from inside,” she recalled. Henry, who was dress maker at a boutique, wanted a career change and made the move. “I was not getting what I wanted,” she said. “I sent in my application to the hotel for the post of room attendant and got selected.” That was fifteen years ago, and Henry learnt to be quick on her feet to make up for her lack of experience. “I did not have any experience in house keeping, but when I came to work the first day, I was greeted with warmth and friendliness,” Henry said. “I put myself in the job right away.” Henry, who is married has five children and three grandchildren, was born in St Mary and later moved to St Andrew. As housekeeping assistant at the hotel, she routinely inspects bedrooms and public areas to en...

Amitabh Sharma Hospitality Jamaica Senior Writer PUBLISHED: March 3, 2010 HOSPITALITY JAMAICA  Pauline Campbell never had formal training in hospitality, but it was her dream to work in the industry, and when the opportunity came, she took the challenge with grit and did her job to perfection. “I learnt everything here, it came easy to me as I always took my work as looking after my home,” Campbell said, who has worked at the Jamaica Pegasus for nine years, as a room attendant, with a coy smile. “Everyday when I go to work I just have that thought.” She puts all her efforts into ensuring that when her guests turn in for a night of rest, their room is immaculate and refreshing with all the comforts of home in place. Campbell had her share of hardships when she started out, her three daughters were attending school, “I gave them bus money and used to walk from home to work almost every day,” she recalls. It was her love for the job that made her tide over the adversities, “Y...

Amitabh Sharma Hospitality Jamaica Senior Writer PUBLISHED: March 3, 2010 HOSPITALITY JAMAICA  For Rosemarie Preddie- Brown work is nothing less than worship and she takes pride in the fact that she has never missed a day in the last 10 years serving the Jamaica Pegasus, Kingston. “I have never been absent from work,” she said, with a touch of humility. “I don’t watch the work,” the administrative assistant to director of Engineering, added, “I just work!” It had been her dream to work at the Pegasus, “I used to see the building from the bus and hoped that I would be working here one day." She joined the hotel as a housekeeping attendant in 2001; A year later she was promoted to the housekeeping department secretary, “I was called in by the head of the department and was informed that I would have to take charge as her secretary,” Preddie- Brown recalled. “I got one day training and was ready to go.” She hasn’t looked back since. By 2005, the acumen for streamlin...

Published February 17, 2010 Hospitality Jamaica  Amitabh Sharma Hospitality Jamaica Senior Writer “I passed by Rose Hall every single day going to school,” reminiscences Nescha Watson, “but never thought that I would end up working here one day.” For Watson, guest services supervisor at Rose Hall Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, the job profile comes as perfect fit as she loves to listen to the ocean, love to laugh and have fun. She joined the resort in May 2002 as communications operator, where she used answer phone calls and handle the PBX (Private Branch Exchange). “I was hired because I was told that I have a sweet voice,” she said, breaking into laughter; a trait that is synonymous with her. Watson recounted her journey from there on, she told Hospitality Jamaica that she learnt the full extent of the operations of the PBX, Front Desk, Reservations and the basic requirements that she needed to have a steady foundation in the Guest Services Department. “This is my fi...

Published February 17, 2010 Hospitality Jamaica  Amitabh Sharma Hospitality Jamaica Senior Writer Kevin Wynn is a team player and always seeks a way to find a solution to any problem, a trait that he learnt from playing football.  A former Seba United player, Kevin is Lead House Person at Rose Hall Resorts, incharge of major projects in the property. “I played forward, mid-field and defence,” Kevin recalled, “People still ask me why I am not playing football.”  Kevin started playing football in school; he was the captain of Glendevon football team. “Steve Bucknor asked me to join the Seba team, I played for one season, but found it difficult to commute so I had to give it up to be with my girlfriend.” Though his football was his first love, family responsibilities take precedence over everything. “For me my family comes first.” He started his career with Sandals Royale as a houseman, and was subsequently joined the then Wyndham Rosehall resort. He has take...

Amitabh Sharma Features Coordinator Published February 3, 2010 Hospitality Jamaica The aroma of fresh coffee and delectable fare emanates from Cafecino Café in the Lobby of Hilton Kingston and, topped with that, the cheerful Nicolette Quest, the jovial server, adds to the warm welcome. "I am a people person, I love to smile and joke," says Quest, who was born and raised in Tivoli Gardens and still resides there with her seven-year-old son, Brandon. Her pursuit of excellence did not stop there. In June 2005, she joined the Hilton family in the capacity of server in the Cafecino Café located in the Lobby. Nicky (as she is called) is jovial and friendly by nature. She always wears a ready smile. "I want to make the people feel at home and introduce them to Jamaica," she says. A proactive and creative person, she exhibited these skills last year on Heroes Day, when she provided tidbits on each table of the national heroes so that guests (especially the...

Amitabh Sharma Features Coordinator PUBLISHED, FEBRUARY 3, 2010 Hospitality Jamaica The first thing that strikes you about Maudrie Swaby-Rose is her smile, exuding warmth and welcome to guests checking into the Hilton Kingston hotel. As a room attendant, she is that critical element which makes the stay comfortable and memorable. "I love to take care of people and try to make them happy," says Swaby-Rose, who has been employed to the Hilton Kingston since 1998. She grew up in Salmon Town in the parish of South Manchester, was a middle-distance runner and wanted to make a career in athletics, but fate had something else in store for her. "When I went to school, the track-and-field scholarships were on hold, so it was all about academics," she recalls. Swaby-Rose is considered to be one of the drivers of the Housekeeping Department. She goes about her duties with energy and smile that melts everyone she comes into contact with. "I try to make th...