Meet the Hershey Lodge 2017 Partner of the Year
Janell Escamilla is a Banquet Server and has been a dedicated and long-time employee of Hershey Lodge. Despite working in many different areas of the Lodge throughout her tenure, her passion and excellent service has been nothing short of impeccable. It’s an honor to award her with the Hershey Lodge 2017 Partner of the Year. We appreciate Janell taking the time to talk to us about her years at Hershey Lodge, what this award means to her and lots more.
Q) Tell us about your career. Where did you go to school? What was your career path prior to joining Hershey?
A) I graduated from Lewistown High School and started working at Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (HE&R) a month later. Eventually, I attended Lebanon Valley College, but chose to later drop out and focus on working here full time. I worked here for just under 10 years and then left to pursue other jobs and focus on my own business. In 2006, I returned and started working in The Bears' Den.
Q) Walk us through your career so far at Hershey Lodge.
A) I began working in the restaurants including Hearth, Tack Room, Antique Auto Pub, JP Mallards & Forebay Lounge - when they had the raw bar and cigars. About eight years into it, I left to pursue other jobs in the food & beverage (F&B) department, but later returned in 2006 to The Bears' Den. After a while I came to work in the Banquet Department, where I’m currently enjoying my job. When banquets have some down time, I continue to work in other restaurants at Hershey Lodge.
Q) Why did you choose to work for HE&R?
A) It provides a good stable job, great pay and familiarity within the industry. The fact that the HE&R properties all contribute to supporting Milton Hershey School (MHS) makes it even sweeter. Fun fact: one of my two daughters attended and graduated from MHS!
Q) What's your biggest accomplishment since joining the HE&R team?
A) Winning Partner of the Year, having the opportunity to be able to serve President George W. Bush here at Hershey Lodge and knowing that I have the chance every day to positively impact someone’s day.
"The ability to make a positive impact on someone else's day. Nothing is more rewarding than working toward and being able to see the impact that we have as a company on helping the Milton Hershey School."
Q) What does it mean to you to win this award?
A) It feels like all of my hard work has paid off, like I am greatly appreciated. It also makes me feel humble and very thankful for the opportunity.
Q) What's the most rewarding aspect of your job?
A) The ability to make a positive impact on someone else's day. Nothing is more rewarding than working toward and being able to see the impact that we have as a company on helping MHS: students, their education and ultimately their lives.
Q) What advice would you give someone interested in a career in the hospitality industry?
A) It’s a lot of hard work, but it is also very rewarding to see the impact we have on others and the humility that goes with it.
Q) What's the best perk of your job?
A) Seeing the support we are able to provide MHS students, both financially and also with the interactions that we have with them in other areas.
Q) What’s a typical day for you?
A) Long days. Being up early, home late and a whole day of interacting with a lot of people, both staff and guests alike. It builds a lot of great relationships.
Q) Tell us something folks might not know about you.
A) During my 15 year run outside of HE&R, I worked for New Holland Equipment welding skid loaders.