At Heart of the House and Servantex, we know what it takes to deliver outstanding hospitality staffing. But every once in a while, we get to shift the spotlight from our clients and talent—and shine it directly on the people who make it all happen.
Last month, that spotlight beamed bright over Lexington, Kentucky, where more than 60 employee-owners from over 40 markets came together for our 2nd Annual President’s Club Awards.
The night honored excellence in hotel staffing, event staffing, and above all—people. The kind who give their all to elevate guest service, support their teammates, and represent what hospitality is truly about. And after a year of big wins—including becoming 100% employee-owned and earning the Best of Staffing® Client and Employee Satisfaction Awards for the third straight year—this celebration felt especially meaningful.
It’s Not Just About Performance—It’s About People
CEO Chris Taylor and VP of Operations Kenia Gonzalez kicked off the evening with a clear message: while performance matters, it’s passion, compassion, and consistency that set our teams apart.
“This isn’t just about celebrating performance,” Chris told the room. “It’s about recognizing the commitment each of you brings to our company, our clients, and each other.”
Kenia doubled down on that sentiment: “It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it. That’s why our hospitality staffing solutions stand out. We care deeply—for our talent, for our clients, and for one another.”
A Little Glitz, a Lot of Personality
Of course, no Heart of the House celebration would be complete without fun—and our Master of Ceremonies, Nelkar Pereira, delivered in full. As our National Special Projects Manager (and official “Event King”) he led the night with humor, energy, and a few surprise celebrity guests! OK, not real ones—but you try telling our panel of Lady Gaga, Tommy Hilfiger, and friends they weren’t the real deal.
The evening’s fashion competition proved once again that our team doesn’t just show up—they show out. With wild creativity, flair, and plenty of laughs, it was a reminder that while we take hospitality seriously, we never take ourselves too seriously.
The Main Event: Recognizing Our Best
At the heart of the evening—just like our culture—was peer-to-peer recognition. In a break from tradition, awards weren’t handed out by execs. Instead, they came from fellow employee-owners, representing the spirit of shared success we’ve built across every market.
And now, with enormous pride, we congratulate this year’s President’s Club Award winners. These team members represent the best of the best in hospitality staffing. Their dedication, leadership, and passion raise the standard for what’s possible in our industry.
Region of the Year
- East Region
Markets of the Year
- Nashville
- Charlotte
- Cincinnati
Market Managers of the Year
- Marco Quiros, Minneapolis
- Kevin Martinez, Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro
- Karina Montoya, Cincinnati
Account Managers of the Year
- Thiago Herrera, Charlotte
- Jose Delgado, Columbus
- Karleth Marin, Nashville
Admin of the Year
Saulimar Rivas, Dallas
Extra Mile Award
- Nestor Fuenmayor, Recruiter
- Larissa Zeledon, Payroll and Billing Manager, Servantex
Special Recognition Award
- Alejandra Rodriguez, National Business Development Manager
- Nelkar Pereira, National Special Projects
We couldn’t be prouder—or more excited for what’s ahead. Here’s to another year of exceptional service, extraordinary teamwork, and continued growth in hotel, foodservice, and event staffing!
