Award Winners
Congratulations to all of the 2026 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
Lewisa Bonner
Guest Service Representative
Ramada by Wyndham Hammond Hotel & Conference Center, Hammond
Guests describe Lewisa as “so welcoming,” “the sweetest person ever,” and “very helpful, kind, and knowledgeable” — one even noted she remembered them from a previous stay and made sure their room was freshened up before they arrived. On June 1st, the General Manager broke her leg and required surgery, sidelining her until late August. Lewisa didn’t hesitate — she stepped into scheduling, supply ordering, and countless management duties, all while still working the front desk six days a week. With 50 years in the hotel industry, the General Manager says she has only met a handful of people who would take on these extra responsibilities — and now relies on Lewisa multiple times a day just to keep the hotel running. Even before this emergency, she had already been proving, day after day, what it means to make a hotel and its guests feel truly cared for.
Tracy Gormley
Slot Attendant & Department Trainer
Horseshoe Casino, Hammond
Tracy has been building a reputation for phenomenal service and genuine connections with her guests for more than 27 years. She’s constantly raising the bar — improving processes and mentoring teammates to push her department forward. Most recently, she was a driving force behind a massive technology rollout — arriving early, staying late, and adjusting her schedule. Thanks in large part to her leadership, the project wrapped with only half the planned staff. But it’s her guests who say it best. “Tracy is top tier. She explains things very well, is extremely knowledgeable, and quickly resolves any issue I encounter. Her personality, skill level, and attentiveness are what I appreciate most.” Another guest shows her appreciation the old-fashioned way — bringing Tracy sandwiches every single Sunday, a small gesture built on a friendship so genuine that she now knows about this guest’s husband, daughter and even her grandchildren. That’s the kind of connection that can’t be trained — only earned.
Elizabeth Gutierrez
Environmental Education Manager
Lake County Parks/Gibson Woods Nature Preserve, Hammond
Elizabeth has a remarkable gift for making every child and family feel welcome while inspiring a lifelong love of learning. Ask any child who has met her who taught them about owls, turtles, or the forest, and chances are they’ll simply smile and answer “Miss Elizabeth.” She turns pelts, fossils, and feathers into pure wonder — showing up in classrooms, libraries, and festivals across Northwest Indiana, with boundless enthusiasm for anyone who’ll listen. When her employer wanted kids to witness chicks hatching, Elizabeth built an entire incubation project from scratch, borrowing gear and caring for those eggs around the clock so the magic would be real. Her kindness is genuine, her passion is contagious, and Lake County Parks is lucky to have her.
Jordan Hannon
Mixologist
SouthShore Drift Co., Chesterton
Jordan doesn’t just work events — she builds memories. As a talented mixologist, she took what could’ve been a simple seasonal gesture and turned it into a hotel-wide Easter Egg Hunt that brought entire families together in joy and laughter. She did it again with a Mother’s Day Brunch built specifically for guests who had nowhere else to celebrate — turning a hard day for some into one filled with warmth, gratitude, and belonging. During packed wedding weekends, Jordan has shown up on her own days off, opened the bar early, and stepped in after hours — all because she saw guests waiting and refused to let their special moment be anything less than perfect. She understands something rare: that hospitality is more than just service; it’s making connections.
Wayne Johnson
Slot Ambassador
Horseshoe Casino, Hammond
Wayne is known by one unforgettable nickname: “The President” — earned because he makes every single guest feel like family, greeting them with a warm handshake and the kind of familiarity usually reserved for people who’ve known each other for years. Guests ask about him when he’s away. That’s the kind of impression he leaves. But his character shines even brighter outside these walls. When flames and smoke tore through a neighbor’s home, Wayne didn’t hesitate — he pounded on the door, ran straight into the smoke-filled house, and made sure every single family member made it out safely. Then, noticing one survivor standing barefoot, he took the shoes right off his own feet and gave them away. The fire lieutenant put it best: “He took a chance in a smoky environment. Everyone was safe before the fire department arrived on the scene.” Because of his quick thinking and selfless heart, a tragedy was prevented and a family was reunited. That is courage and compassion.
Jimmie King
Security Officer
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, Gary
Jimmie is truly deserving of recognition for an exceptional action during a critical moment that changed someone’s life forever. While performing routine duties, he noticed a man who had become the victim of a road rage incident and immediately sensed something was wrong. Rather than assuming someone else would respond, he sought help right away and stayed by the man’s side, offering support until emergency responders arrived. Jimmie trusted his instincts and put his training to the test when it truly mattered. This may feel like just doing the job, but the attentiveness, quick thinking, and willingness to act made all the difference.
Kelly Morris
Maintenance Technician
The Wanderluxe Collection, Michigan City
Kelly is a retired electrician. He is a rugged, blue-collar Indiana guy — the kind Hollywood would cast Tommy Lee Jones to play — gruff, hardened, a man of few words who just gets the job done. Last year, a front desk associate looked at his long white beard and flowing hair and dubbed him “Summertime Santa.” Something shifted after that — he cracked a smile, and he’s been one of the most beloved members of the community ever since. This past winter, when an elderly long-term guest recovering from knee surgery struggled with ice and snow, Kelly took action without being asked — shoveling steps, digging out and jump-starting a snowed-in car, and offering rides to keep her safe. In his first year in hospitality, he has proven that beneath the gruff exterior beats the heart of gold that makes this industry — and the team — better.
Joe Smit
Mooville Lead
Fair Oaks Farms, Fair Oaks
During this past summer, a 9-year-old boy became stranded on the second level of a ropes course because he was too frightened to move. Joe responded by putting on his safety harness, quickly making his way to the boy and his mother, and beginning to build rapport with him. Despite the boy experiencing intense emotions, Joe remained calm. He gave the boy the space he needed, spoke to him with genuine care and encouragement, and never rushed or pressured him. After two long hours, the boy gathered enough courage to safely make his way down. Once he reached the ground, his anxiety disappeared and was all smiles. Joe may not have a degree in child psychology, but what he showed that day was a rare, natural gift for connecting with people when it mattered most.
Tijana Vojinovic
Executive Host
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, Gary
Tijana, a.k.a. Queen “T”, is a natural leader who takes charge of any situation with confidence and grace — managing long guest lines, diffusing tense moments, and anticipating what guests need before they even voice it. She treats every person with dignity and respect, regardless of the circumstances, and consistently demonstrates the hospitality and personal attention that encourage guests to return. Beyond being exceptional in customer service, Tijana is also a supportive teammate. She’s built a “Compliment Corner” to lift up her coworkers, mentors anyone who needs it, and champions diversity and unity across the entire property, all while balancing life as a new mother without ever missing a beat. That’s not just service; it’s servant leadership!
R.I.S.E. Winners
Brandi Jones
Chef
SouthShore Drift Co., Chesterton
A previous ROSE Award recipient, Brandi continues to raise the bar for what hospitality means. One remarkable example of her dedication happened during a widespread power outage while she was on a well-deserved vacation. Without being asked, she rushed to the hotel solely to support her team. She spent hours alongside the housekeeping staff cleaning guest rooms while wearing a headlamp because there was no electricity. She did not come in for recognition or because it was expected of her—she came because she knew her team needed help and our guests were depending on us. When a server calls off, Brandi is the first to jump behind the line — taking orders, running food, clearing tables, whatever it takes. When a guest needs help changing a flat tire, she’s there. When someone just needs a listening ear, she makes time. She never waits to be asked — she simply sees what’s needed and steps in. Brandi’s compassion, integrity, and tireless dedication aren’t something she turns on for guests; they’re who she is, every single day, with everyone.
Lucas Newell
Manager
Schoop’s Hamburgers, Highland
Lucas is the sole reason a gentleman with early-onset dementia visits Schoop’s several times a week. He patiently listens, lifts him up with kindness and humor, and makes him feel like he belongs. That’s the kind of connection he builds with everyone who walks through the door — customers notice when he’s not working, and they say so. But his value goes far beyond warmth. When a neighboring business sprang a water main leak, Lucas swiftly jumped into action — helping firefighters, alerting every business in the plaza, keeping the young staff calm and customers informed. A week later, a storm knocked out the kitchen’s power, and he handled that with the same calm, quick-thinking efficiency. He has given rides to coworkers without transportation, jump-started customers’ cars in the parking lot, and once refused to even call off work with his arm in a sling. One guest put it simply: “Friendly, quick, and attentive — we will definitely be back.” That’s Lucas in a nutshell.
Marsha Plesac
Branch Manager
Centier Bank, Hobart
Marsha brings a “hallmark of hospitality” to every client — arriving early, staying late, and even visiting homebound clients when needed. One client recovering from a stroke was visited at home just to sign paperwork; another received weekly help with bills, groceries, and arranging Meals on Wheels. Beyond the branch, Marsha has led the local Chamber of Commerce and volunteers serving breakfast to seniors. When an 88-year-old client couldn’t ride in his 40-year parade tradition, she rode in his place — tossing candy and representing his farm. Her coworkers have noticed the impact she has had in the community. Out of 1,100-plus associates, Marsha earned the bank’s highest honor for servant leadership this year.
Liz Pritchard
Co-owner & Stylist
Luna Beauty Studio, Dyer
Liz helped a guest feel beautiful again. “During chemotherapy, I lost my hair and couldn’t use chemical products anymore,” the guest shared. “Liz carefully cut and styled my hair to make the loss less noticeable, and even researched gentle, plant-based products safe for treatment. Every appointment became a place to forget what I was going through, even if just for a little while.” And even now that the guest has finished treatment, Liz still checks in on her at every visit. She didn’t have to go that far, she chose to. And in doing so, she helped a guest feel beautiful again during one of the hardest battles of her life.
Jovany Santacruz
Housekeeping Manager
SpringHill Suites, Munster
Jovany started as a Houseman. Today he’s Housekeeping Manager — but he never forgot where he began, and it shows in everything he does. His motto is simple: “How can I help?” No task is beneath him, whether that’s stripping rooms, jumping onto the front desk, or supporting a location across the company that needs an extra hand. Jovany translates for English as a Second Language associates so they never feel unheard, helps guests navigate language barriers, and makes sure everyone — associate or guest — feels safe and understood. And he leads in the little moments, too: surprise ice cream on brutal summer days, a Fourth of July cookout to thank his team for working while everyone else celebrates, even flowers every May — once on May 10th for Mother’s Day in Mexico, and again on the U.S. date, so every mother on his team feels seen, twice over. His leadership has never been about the title. It’s about the trust he’s earned, one act of service at a time.
Julie Stutler
General Manager
Rosati’s, St. John
Julie has been part of the Rosati’s team since day one — and ten years later, it’s impossible to imagine their success without her steady, caring presence. She treats every guest like family and leads by example every single day. When a new customer admitted she’d never ordered from Rosati’s because she worried the pizza would get cold on her long drive home, Julie didn’t hesitate — she handed over one of the drivers’ insulated pizza bags right then and there, to make sure the guest could keep their pizza warm. And when that same customer accidentally left her purse behind, she didn’t wait for a phone call — Julie used her own break to drive the purse to the customer’s home before she even realized it was missing. Thoughtful, proactive, and endlessly generous, Julie doesn’t just manage a restaurant — she builds trust, loyalty, and lasting relationships.