Ann Marie Kimble, General Manager of the Homewood Suites, San Diego/ Del Mar, was recently named the 2008 Outstanding General Manager of the Year in a medium Sized property. The CH&LA Stars of the Industry Awards recognized Kimble for her excellent leadership and management skills, personalized service, warmth, and customer and staff loyalty.

Kimble is the “go to” person in our organization. She has been at the forefront for getting this hotel nominated and awarded virtually every possible contest that Hilton Corporation has to offer. The Homewood Suites San Diego/Del Mar has a “Spirit of Pride Winner” (Chris Campbell) as well as “2007 Engineering Team of the Year.” It has also been awarded the “2007 Merit Award Winner.” Moreover, her hotel has been in the top 14 of all Homewood Suites by Hilton hotels in SALT scores (customer loyalty). In her career she has received numerous “Outstandings” on Quality Assurance Inspections, the most recent scoring a 97.5% (July 2008).

While awards and profits are in abundance for Kimble and the Homewood Suites, the true value of a GM comes from the loyalty and satisfaction of her staff and guests – both of which are obvious in Kimble’s case.

As if this were not enough, Ann Marie is currently the Co-executive Director for the Hunger at Home Project here in San Diego. Hunger at Home is a non-profit organization that has teamed with Hilton Hotels to raise $500,000 which would be enough to provide 166,000 people with 1.5 million meals. She has spent hours trying to raise money and awareness for this wonderful cause. Through her energy and compassion she has turned 11 other associates on to the project and now they too are donating their time. She has truly set the example for every associate in our hotel about what it means to be a community leader.

The Homewood brand has been the JD Power and Associates winner for 8 years. When that power is multiplied by making this individual hotel the “winner among winners” great things happen. As an example, Trip Advisor has consistently ranked this hotel in the top 10 in San Diego, currently ranking at number 4 out of 258.

Ann Marie Kimble is a true winner who has a hotel that deserves to be known as having the best GM. It is clear that she has a passion for team members, hotel guests and the community that she serves. Perhaps most importantly, Ann Marie’s achievements this past year deserve a review; the hotel leads our competitive set in virtually every category; our actual vs. budgeted results are within one percentage point on revenue and net income; line employees have grown into middle management positions under her leadership; and lastly, Ann Marie knows every associate, leads by example, knows all key clients and guests and truly “walks the talk.”