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Pat Larson named "Hotelier of the Year"

(2/1) Sleep Inn Hotel manager Pat Larson was recently awarded hotelier of the year at the 18th annual “Stars of the Industry” banquet hosted by the Maryland Hotel and Lodging Association.

Larson first got involved in the hotel industry while attending the University of Maryland working toward a degree in Personnel Management. He attended classes during the day and then worked through the night at a local hotel to pay for school. “That’s what got me through the last couple years of college,” said Larson.

He has managed the Sleep Inn for the past five years. In 2005 the hotel was nationally recognized as “Inn of the Year” by Choice Hotels International. “That (award) is based not on sales, but guest satisfaction,” Larson noted.

According Hess Hotels Group Director of Quality Assurance Alan Doran, “Larson was nominated for his work ethic and efforts at the hotel,” but he attributes the honor to the people that work for him.

“The award had my name on it, but it was really a reflection of collectively what the staff had done,” said Larson.

Last year one of Larson’s staff members suffered a heart attack while working at the hotel. “His heart stopped beating in the lobby,” Larson recalls. “Fortunately at that time all the staff had CPR training. We went and started (CPR) right away.”

With the help of a firefighter who was staying at the hotel, the staff was able to resuscitate the employee, who still works at the hotel today.

For the past two years Larson has been president of the Emmitsburg Professional Business Association. He also coaches women’s volleyball in Westminster and represents the hotel in the Taneytown Chamber of Commerce. Larson is a resident of Westminster and plans to continue working in Emmitsburg for a long time.