SANDALS Montego Bay’s Andrea Henry is the resort’s new Prestige Team Member of the Year for 2009 and one of an elite group of outstanding team members honoured at the annual Prestige Awards held late last month.

Henry is now an automatic entrant in the second Sandals Ultimate Award to be held later this year. She will have the chance to win prizes including an upgrade of the overseas trip for two to include VIP champagne transfer from her home, an amazing private jet flight and full VIP treatment whilst at the chosen Sandals resort.

“I am ecstatic! I couldn’t believe I had won! It’s proven that when you work for a good company like Sandals Resorts and put your all in it, you are definitely rewarded. For me, this win shows there are successes to be gained and even further to go in my career. I have a passion for my job and winning this award encourages me to achieve more for myself and to give continued great service to my guests,” said the Sandals butler.

The Housekeeping Department, which for the past two consecutive years produced the Prestige Team Members of the Year, also made it to the winners’ podium by capturing the coveted Department of the Year Prestige Award. Outgoing Team Member of the Year, Linen Room Controller Sharlene Fennell-Morris — who was also a semi-finalist in this year’s Tourism Ministry’s Tourism Service Excellence Awards — delightedly shared in her department’s triumph.

“We are a very united and hardworking unit so it’s really no surprise that we won this award. We feel it’s an even greater achievement given the fact that we operated without a manager for most of 2009,” Fennell-Morris said.

Other major awardees were Runner-Up Team Member, Lloyd Lawrence; Manager of the Year, Julian Henry; and Supervisor of the Year, Stervel McIntosh. Also recognised were Sharon McFarlane-Reid – Smile Award; Danley Kentish – Most Improved; Dwayne Swaby – Most Guest-Nominated; Nicketta Allen – Most Environmentally Aware; Dwayne Brown – Financial Controller’s Awardee; Hotel Manager’s Award winner Beverley Robinson and Dwayne Mills – General Manager’s Awardee.

This year’s function saw an increase in the award categories, from 12 to 13, with the addition of the Sandals Foundation Community Spirit Award, won by Stacey-Ann Bowden.

General Manager Josef Zellner also used the opportunity to pay tribute to Robert Stone, OD and Dalton Smith, the first two men employed by Sandals Resorts. Both men said they were overwhelmed by the surprise recognition and recommitted their loyalty to Sandals. Stone and Smith, who were the first and second team members respectively employed at Sandals Montego Bay in November 1981, still continue to play important roles in Guest Services and Food & Beverage at the flagship Resort.

And, in his general address, Zellner congratulated each nominee and winner and urged all to continue the flagship’s legacy of excellence, adding:

“Last year was a very difficult year for our industry, with the downturn in economics worldwide. However, during this time Sandals Montego Bay came closer together and as a team we excelled again. To the nominees of the various awards, I am proud of you…”

Held in the mid-afternoon at the resort’s modern Sky Dome auditorium, the function was a tightly-run and engaging production, featuring the 2006 Rising Star top finalist Susan Perkins.