Award Winners
Congratulations to all of the 2025 R.O.S.E. and R.I.S.E. Award winners! Have you received extraordinary customer service?
Nominate them here.
R.O.S.E. Winners
Shannon Barajas
ESPN Bet Restaurant Food Server
Ameristar Casino, East Chicago
For more than 10 years, Shannon has consistently delivered outstanding guest experiences, connecting naturally with people, anticipating needs, and resolving issues with grace and efficiency. A perfect example of her thoughtfulness occurred when a guest accidentally left her bag behind. She immediately noticed and took the initiative to track the guest down to return it. A dedicated team player, she steps in during peak hours, assists colleagues, and trains new hires. Beyond work, she rescues and fosters dogs in need, demonstrating compassion that extends far beyond the workplace. Shannon’s unwavering kindness, empathy, and commitment make her truly deserving of this recognition.
Linda Bolduc
Front Desk Attendant
Country Inn & Suites, Portage
After a sudden house fire, a family was left without a home and faced the challenge of finding suitable temporary housing, including accessible accommodations. From the very first call, Linda approached the situation with compassion, professionalism, and a solutions-oriented mindset. She secured accommodations that met the family’s needs and helped coordinate with the insurance company, ensuring a smooth process during a stressful time. Over several months, she provided consistent support, care, and attention, going well beyond expectations. Linda’s dedication, empathy, and proactive assistance turned a difficult situation into a manageable and positive experience, leaving a lasting impact on the family.
Sherry Cimino
Server/Bartender
SouthShore Drift Company at Hilton Garden Inn, Chesterton
Sherry exemplifies grace under pressure, dedication, and guest-centered service. On June 18th, 2025, during a routine breakfast shift, the hotel faced a sudden, dangerous situation outside. While others might have frozen, she remained calm, focused, and selfless. Noticing a guest and their 9-year-old walking their dogs near the danger, she acted quickly, guiding them to safety and shielding the child from trauma. Her foresight, compassion, and courage went far beyond her role, leaving a lasting impact on the family and inspiring the entire team. She doesn’t just meet expectations, she protects, cares, and exemplifies the very essence of the R.O.S.E. Award.
Jacquelyn Contreras
Floral Manager
Strack & Van Til, Highland
Jacquelyn exemplifies legendary customer service through dedication, compassion, and quick thinking. When a customer’s florist canceled the night before their wedding, she stepped in without hesitation, taking full ownership of sourcing, arranging, and preparing every floral detail in less than 24 hours. Her swift action turned potential disaster into relief and gratitude, leaving a lasting impact. Beyond crisis moments, she consistently provides attentive, empathetic service, helping customers with hard-to-find items, offering comfort, and going above and beyond. Her creativity enhances the store’s atmosphere through seasonal displays, uplifting both customers and colleagues. Jacquelyn’s positivity, dedication, and leadership inspire the entire team.
Jack Craig
Support Staff
The Barker Mansion, Michigan City
Jack embodies what it means to go “the extra mile.” Guests consistently praise him in glowing Yelp and Google reviews for his welcoming demeanor and engaging style. A memorable example includes assisting an older couple to make their visit more accessible. He offered an iPad tour so nothing was missed and ensured there were seats to rest along the way, making it a more accommodating and enjoyable experience. He also goes out of his way to make sure guests see things they may have missed. Beyond tours, he supports events, cares for the gardens, and assists group programs. Jack’s quiet leadership and guest-first approach make him an invaluable asset and ideal award recipient.
Janis Frysztak
Front Desk Agent
Candlewood Suites, Merrillville
During a recent stay, a family with disabled children experienced exceptional service that transformed their visit. While assisting them at check-in, Janis learned one child was celebrating a birthday. Recognizing the importance of inclusion and kindness, she arranged a thoughtful surprise for the family. Working with housekeeping, she decorated the family's hotel living room with balloons, birthday décor, and a cake with a personalized card. The gesture created a joyful, welcoming environment for the child and family. The parents expressed deep gratitude, noting how meaningful it was given their child’s unique needs. What could have been an ordinary overnight stay became a cherished memory for the entire family.
Craig Golbesky
Events Coordinator
The Barker Mansion, Michigan City
An older couple, recently finding love, hoped to hold their wedding at The Barker Mansion with only a month’s notice. Craig embraced the challenge, providing trusted vendors and coordinating every detail. Just five days before the event, the groom broke his hip, and the bride considered canceling. Without hesitation, Craig contacted vendors to call it off—but quickly reversed course when the couple decided to continue. Every detail was reconfirmed, and extra care was given by Craig on the wedding day, even replacing a missing tie to ease the stress. The event went beautifully, transformed by empathy, flexibility, and unwavering support into an unforgettable celebration of love.
Dana Lescoe
Veteran Engagement Manager
INvets, Northwest Region
Retirement can be challenging for veterans, requiring many adjustments along the way. From the start, Dana immediately helped and never limited support, always responding with, “Let me see what I can find.” He went above and beyond, helping secure a job, assisting with a home search, and connecting the veteran with a realtor. During their relocation, Dana regularly checked in, ensuring everything went smoothly. His support continued after their arrival, helping this individual settle in, prepare for work, and even offering guidance through job challenges. His dedication goes far beyond duty, reflecting extraordinary compassion and genuine care for transitioning service members.
Sheila Piro
Assistant Manager/Cake Decorator
Strack & Van Til, Highland
Sheila exemplifies legendary customer service through compassion, creativity, and dedication. When a grieving customer struggled to complete an order in memory of her father, she stepped in with empathy and crafted a design so meaningful it moved the customer to tears. Her pride and care show in every cake, treating each one as if it were for her own family. Generations of loyal customers seek her out, drawn by the personal connections she builds. She also creates cakes for in-store celebrations, adding joy and a personal touch to team events. Through kindness, artistry, and heart, Sheila elevates the store culture and inspires everyone around her.
Shelly Reimer
Floral Manager
Strack & Van Til, Crown Point
Shelly exemplifies legendary service, stepping in when a panicked bride-to-be lost her florist days before her wedding. Calm, compassionate, and proactive, she designed, prepared, delivered, and set up the wedding florals, turning a moment of crisis into relief and joy. Her talent, reliability, and care have earned a loyal following, with customers traveling from surrounding communities to work with her specifically. Beyond her exceptional skill, she greets every shopper with warmth and kindness, creating an inviting atmosphere that inspires both customers and team members. Shelly’s dedication, creativity, and heart leave lasting impressions and make her a treasured part of the store.
PJ Roney
Guest Services Agent
Beachwalk Vacation Rentals, Michigan City
PJ makes work fun, bringing intelligence, efficiency, and creativity to every task. Beyond solving problems and assisting guests, she adds humor and personality with playful character voices, impersonations, and personas that brighten everyone’s day. Thoughtful and proactive, she often checks in before shifts to see if teammates need anything. One standout moment involved creating a surprise birthday amenity for two young girls: she gathered stuffed mermaids, balloons, and stickers, delighting the family and keeping the kids entertained for hours. PJ’s creativity, thoughtfulness, and positive energy make her an invaluable team member, a joy to have in the office, and deserving of this R.O.S.E. Award.
Stephanie Vance
Manager
Epic Limo, Valparaiso
A long-anticipated golf trip nearly fell apart when eight oversized golf bags and suitcases got trapped in a mini-bus luggage compartment after a handle broke. With their flight about to depart, the group faced leaving everything behind. Thanks to the quick thinking and dedication of Stephanie, the luggage crisis was averted. She coordinated with the maintenance team, then personally flew to Arizona that same night, delivering all eight golf bags and suitcases to the passengers so their trip could continue uninterrupted. After ensuring everything was received, she returned home. Her quick action and commitment saved the trip, allowing the friends to enjoy their vacation.
R.I.S.E. Winners
Cynthia Morgan
Banquet Captain
Hilton Garden Inn, Chesterton
A previous 2023 R.O.S.E. Award recipient, Cynthia exemplifies hospitality and rises to extraordinary challenges. One June morning, a dangerous situation outside the hotel threatened guests and staff. Trusting her instincts, she acted decisively, alerting the General Manager and taking swift steps that may have protected lives. Calm, clear, and composed, she prioritized others, giving her team crucial moments to respond. Her courage, care, and presence of mind brought calm to chaos and compassion to crisis. A true leader and protector, her dedication to guest safety, responsibility, and excellence makes Cynthia a standout, deserving nominee for the R.I.S.E. Award.
Anna Sallay
Assistant Manager
Jimmy John’s, Crown Point
From day one, Anna has brought energy, leadership, and a welcoming smile to the store, making every customer and team member feel valued. Going above and beyond is just part of her daily routine, as evidenced by the time Anna personally covered one of her regular customers’ meals to ensure she would not go hungry when her credit card was declined. Outside the store, she dives into community outreach events, spreading the same dedication and positivity. Reliable, kind, and committed to excellence, Anna truly embodies the spirit of R.I.S.E.
Nicholas Walker
General Manager
ChicagoLand Popcorn, Merrillville
Nicholas redefines customer service by turning every interaction into a meaningful experience, combining genuine warmth with proactive problem-solving. When challenges arise, he steps in to ensure solutions, turning potential disappointments into lasting customer loyalty. When an order wasn’t ready for a customer's pickup, Nicholas didn't delegate responsibility or offer hollow apologies. He drove more than an hour to personally deliver the order, transforming what could have been a relationship-ending disappointment into a story the customer will tell for years about extraordinary service. Technically skilled, culturally astute, and relentlessly committed, Nicholas is a leader who embodies the essence of transformational leadership.