The Homestead Names Tara Ziegler as 2009 “Associate of the Year”

Tara Ziegler, Manager for Spa Amira at The Homestead in Glen Arbor, has been named the resort’s 2009 “Associate of the Year.” Tara has been with the resort since May 2008.

“Tara has done a wonderful job managing the spa operations.” says Jamie Jewell, Senior Manager at The Homestead. “We knew when we added a spa that we needed a manager who had the skills to operate successfully, establish unique programming and hire and train a staff to deliver excellent service. Tara has done that and more which has earned her the recognition of Associate of the Year.”

“I was certainly very surprised,” said Tara, of both being nominated and winning the award. “One of the things I love about working at The Homestead is the extraordinary team of people – we support each other and have a sense of camaraderie that I haven't experienced anywhere else.”

In addition to the acclaim that the title “Associate of the Year” holds, Tara receives a trip to any vacation destination of her choice, including two airline tickets and $500 in spending money.

“The trip is such an amazing gift, and I intend to take full advantage of the opportunity,” Tara said. “I haven’t made a final decision yet, but I am considering Nice, France on the Riviera or Napa Valley, California. With a choice like that, I feel like I can't really go wrong.”

With 200 summer and 100 winter employees, The Homestead is one of the region’s largest single employers. The team is lead by members of a core group of associates who all believe that a job done right starts with taking a Personal Responsibility In Delivering Excellence. It’s called PRIDE.

From managers and trainers to year-round employees who do everything from taking reservations to working in outdoor maintenance, there are only 39 members of PRIDE. This special group is eligible for unique employment benefits at The Homestead – one of them being the distinction as “Associate of the Year.”

Other nominees for “Associate of the Year” in 2009 included:

• Cyndi Salisbury, Accommodations
• Dan Stewart, Accounting
• Lindy Kellogg, Group Sales
• Steve Sanborn, Service
• Craig Winowiecki, Service
• Kevin Hennessey, Food & Beverage

Celebrating its Silver Anniversary in 2009, The Homestead is Northern Michigan’s largest waterfront resort community located in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – a unit of the National Park Service. Along with its unmatched natural setting and miles of frontage on Lake Michigan and the Crystal River, the resort offers guest pools, tennis and golf in the summer; downhill and cross country skiing in the winter; and shops, restaurants, meeting centers and the luxurious new Spa Amira throughout all four seasons.

For more information, visit www.thehomesteadresort.com or call 231.334.5100.