Since the 17th century, the pineapple has been the
international symbol of hospitality
At our annual gala, SAHLA honors remarkable individuals, hotels, and hospitality partners with the
San Antonio Pineapple Award to celebrate their impact on the travel and tourism industry in San Antonio
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | 5 Categories
Front of House
Heart of House
Hotel Administration
Food & Beverage
Event & Convention Services
MANAGER OF THE YEAR | 7 Categories
Front of House Manager
Heart of House Manager
Hotel Adminstration Manager
Food & Beverage Manager
Event & Convention Services Manager
General Manager | Select Service Property
General Manager | Full Service Property
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | 3 Categories
Select Service Property
Full Service Property
Heart of Hospitality
ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR | 3 Categories
Employee of the Year
Manager of the Year
Company of the Year
AWARD ELIGIBILITY, SCORING, & NOTIFICATION
Applications are typically available in the late summer / early fall.
All applicants must be employed at a current member of SAHLA in good standing. To verify your membership status or to become a member please reach out to us through the contact page.
All nominees must have permission from their supervisor to be nominated. Supervisors will be contacted prior to scoring each application to verify.
If applying for multiple awards (i.e. General Manager of the Year & Hotel of the Year), please submit one application for each award sought.
All short answer questions will be graded so please make sure to fill out the application in its entirety. Answers do not need to hit the word maximum.
Once submitted, all information included in the application becomes proprietary and will not be released to anyone other than SAHLA Staff and the Selection Committee in a redacted format.
All applications are scored by at least 3 members of the Selection Committee with names and company information redacted to ensure objectivity. The scores are averaged for a total score.
The top finalists in each category are notified prior to the Awards Gala and encouraged to attend. Winners are announced at the Gala.
Nominees are not eligible to win back to back awards in consecutive years.
PREVIOUS PINEAPPLE AWARD WINNERS
2025 WINNERS
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
MELVA CASTILLO, Spa Supervisor, Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
JOSE ZAMORA, Public Areas Attendant, Hotel Emma
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HOTEL ADMINISTRATION
ANGIE SCHOENTHAL, Payroll Administrator | Human Resources Coordinator, The Westin Riverwalk San Antonio
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FOOD & BEVERAGE
DAVID GUTIERREZ, AM Restaurant Server, Marriott Rivercenter & Riverwalk Hotels
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | EVENT & CONVENTION SERVICES
D.J. DICKINSON, Banquet Server, Hyatt Regency San Antonio River Walk
MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
MARIA RAMIREZ-MONREAL, Assistant General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott San Antonio Downtown Market Square
MANAGER OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
MARISA LLANO, Director of Human Resources, Embassy Suites San Antonio Landmark
MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FOOD & BEVERAGE
HECTOR ROJAS, Executive Chef, Embassy Suites Brooks Hotel & Spa
MANAGER OF THE YEAR | EVENT & CONVENTION SERVICES
WANDA ROBLES, Banquet Manager, Marriott Rivercenter & Riverwalk Hotels
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR
MATTHEW HOSACK, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Landmark
ALLIED MANAGER OF THE YEAR
D’AUN KNIGHTEN, Operations Supervisor, Freeman San Antonio
ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR
STANDOUT STAFFING
HOTEL OF THE YEAR
EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON SAN ANTONIO LANDMARK
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
BRENDA TREVINO, Corporate, Leisure & Entertainment Sales Manager, Hotel Emma
SIEGGY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
GARVIN O’NEIL, General Manager, Historic Menger & Crockett Hotels
2024 WINNERS
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
VICTOR TERAN, Front Desk Agent, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Landmark
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
BRENDA MASON, Turndown Attendant, Hotel Emma
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HOTEL ADMINISTRATION
BRITTANY PERERA, Reservations Coordinator, The Westin Riverwalk San Antonio
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FOOD & BEVERAGE
VERONICA HUIZAR, Banquet Captain, Courtyard by Marriott San Antonio Riverwalk
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | EVENT & CONVENTION SERVICES
PHILIP AREVALO, Event Specialist, Courtyard by Marriott San Antonio Medical Center
MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
LENO CORONADO, Director of Loss Prevention, Hilton Palacio Del Rio
MANAGER OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
MATTHEW BORING, Executive Sous Chef, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa
MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FOOD & BEVERAGE
CLAUDETTE MUECK, Executive Chef, AC Marriott & Element San Antonio Riverwalk
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
SAM GRAHAM, General Manager, Home2 | TRU by Hilton Lackland
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
LORIS MENFI, General Manager, Marriott Rivercenter & Riverwalk Hotels
ALLIED MANAGER OF THE YEAR
JULIO CISNEROS, Director of Audio Visual, Pinnacle Live
ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR
BRIGMAN ENTERPRISES, INC.
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
HYATT PLACE SAN ANTONIO RIVERWALK
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
EMBASSY SUITES by HILTON SAN ANTONIO LANDMARK
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
PATRICK HACK, Director of Operations, Brigman Enterprises, Inc.
SIEGGY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
RUSTY WALLACE, Area Managing Director, Omni La Mansion Del Rio & Mokara Hotel & Spa
2023 WINNERS
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
DEIDRE DUKES, Front Office Agent, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Landmark
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
DAVID RODRIGUEZ, Security Supervisor, The Westin Riverwalk San Antonio
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HOTEL ADMINISTRATION
KARINA PIZANO LECUONA, Human Resources Coordinator, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Landmark
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FOOD & BEVERAGE
JOHNNY RODRIGUEZ, Guest Experience Specialist | Bistro Attendant/Bartender, Courtyard by Marriott San Antonio Riverwalk
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | EVENT & CONVENTION SERVICES
BRITTANY MARTINEZ, Senior Event Manager, Hilton Palacio Del Rio
MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
SARITA HALL, Senior Sales Manager, Hilton Palacio Del Rio
MANAGER OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
ASHLEY ALFARO, Director of Housekeeping, Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk
MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FOOD & BEVERAGE
HENRY WESOLOWSKI, Executive Sous Chef, La Cantera Resort & Spa
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
DINSEH RAO, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott San Antonio Riverwalk
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
MARIA MARTINEZ, General Manager, The Westin Riverwalk San Antonio
ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR
FREEMAN
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT SAN ANTONIO DOWNTOWN MARKET SQUARE
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
THE WESTIN RIVERWALK SAN ANTONIO
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
ALLI GOECKEL, General Manager | Operations, Elsewhere Garden
SIEGGY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
JANET HOLLIDAY, President & CEO, The CE Group
2022 WINNERS
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
JULISSA GONZALES, Front Desk Lead, Courtyard by Marriott San Antonio Riverwalk
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
JUAN ALEMAN, Utility Cleaner, Omni La Mansion Del Rio
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HOTEL ADMINISTRATION
BRENDA TREVINO, Director of Sales, Wyndham Garden Riverwalk
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FOOD & BEVERAGE
MUREGASHUR “MAHMUD” KARASANYI, Stewarding Supervisor, La Cantera Resort & Spa
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | EVENT & CONVENTION SERVICES
JUAN CARLOS SALAS, Banquet Captain, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Landmark
MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
SUSAN DICKSON, Director of Travel Industry Sales, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
MANAGER OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
ISABELLE BERRY, Employment Manager | Human Resources, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FOOD & BEVERAGE
FRANCISCO MEJIA, Banquet Manager, Marriott Rivercenter & Riverwalk Hotels
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
RUBEN CHAVARRIA, General Manager, La Quinta Inn & Suites Downtown
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
RUSTY WALLACE, Area Managing Director, Omni La Mansion Del Rio & Mokara Hotel & Spa
ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR
TOWNE PARK
HOTEL OF THE YEAR
EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON SAN ANTONIO LANDMARK
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
DAVID UMINSKI, Hotel Management Program Director, St. Philip’s College
SIEGGY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
BILL PETRELLA, CEO, Hotel Emma
2021 WINNERS
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
MAYRA HERNANDEZ, Front Desk Agent, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Landmark
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
ROSA LOPEZ, Laundry Supervisor, Marriott Rivercenter & Riverwalk Hotels
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HOTEL ADMINISTRATION
JEANETTE GARCIA, Staff Accountant, Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio Airport
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FOOD & BEVERAGESTEVE VARGAS, Server/ Bartender, The Westin Riverwalk San Antonio
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | EVENT & CONVENTION SERVICES
ANTONIO MORAGA, Event Planning Manager, Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
TERRY JOHNSON, Housekeeping Manager, Marriott Rivercenter & Riverwalk Hotels
MANAGER OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICECHAITAN MUGILI, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott San Antonio SeaWorld/Westover Hills
PHILIP STAMM, Area Vice President & General Manager, Grand Hyatt San Antonio | Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk Hotels
ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR
SILVER EAGLE BEVERAGES
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
SONSESTA ES SUITES SAN ANTONIO DOWNTOWN ALAMO PLAZA
HOTEL OF THE YEAR
OMNI LA MANSION DEL RIO
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
RUSTY WALLACE, Area Managing Director, Omni La Mansion Del Rio & Mokara Hotel & Spa
SIEGGY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD| FULL SERVICE
ROBERT THRAILKILL, General Manager, Hilton Palacio del Rio
2019 WINNERS
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
ISRAEL GONZALES, Guest Services Attendant, Hilton Palacio Del Rio
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
XAVIER NORIEGA, Utility Houseperson, Hotel Emma
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HOTEL ADMINISTRATION
TSURUYO “SYLVIA” BUSTOS, Payroll Specialist | Cluster, Marriott Rivercenter & Riverwalk Hotels
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FOOD & BEVERAGE
JERMAN SANCHEZ, Stewarding Supervisor, Marriott Rivercenter & Riverwalk Hotels
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | EVENT & CONVENTION SERVICES
JAVIER GARCIA, Event Services Manager, Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
CHARLES DAVIS, Director of Loss Prevention, Marriott Rivercenter & Riverwalk Hotels
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
APRIL GALVAN, General Manager, Hampton Inn & Suites Lackland SeaWorld
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
CALLAN HAMMAN, General Manager, DoubleTree San Antonio Airport
ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR
CAPERS EVENTS
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT SAN ANTONIO RIVERWALK
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
GRAND HYATT SAN ANTONIO
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
RIC MORALES, Key Account Manager, Silver Eagle Beverages
SIEGGY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
ARTHUR COULOMBE, General Manager, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
2018 WINNERS
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
ABEL CAMPOS, Doorman, Mokara Hotel & Spa
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
JAMES “JIMMY” JACKSON, Overnight Security Officer, Hotel Emma
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HOTEL ADMINISTRATION
MONICA DIEHL-MACIAS, Executive Assistant, Marriott Rivercenter & Riverwalk Hotels
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FOOD & BEVERAGE
FRANK LUCIO, Food Server, The Westin Riverwalk San Antonio
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | EVENT & CONVENTION SERVICES
JUAN RIZZO, Event Services Supervisor, Marriott Rivercenter & Riverwalk Hotels
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
ISSA HAFEEZ, Front Office Manager, Hotel Emma
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
TREY WHIDDON, Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Market Square
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
ED BUCHOLTZ, Grand Hyatt San Antonio
ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR
ACE MART RESTAURANT SUPPLY
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
LA QUINTA INN & SUITES DOWNTOWN
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
HOTEL EMMA
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
TOM MARSHALL, Director of Event Technology, PSAV
SIEGGY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
HENRY FELDMAN, Owner & CEO, Martin Feldman Hospitality
2017 WINNERS
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
BOB AIT AMRANE, Banquet Server, Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
ELMIS HERNANDEZ, Housekeeping Supervisor, Marriott Rivercenter & Riverwalk Hotels
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
PATRICK RAY, Executive Housekeeper, Grand Hyatt San Antonio
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
DUSTY SMITH, Residence Inn San Antonio Alamo Plaza
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
TIM SULLIVAN, Marriott Rivercenter & Riverwalk Hotels
ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR
PSAV
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
RESIDENCE INN SAN ANTONIO AIRPORT | ALAMO HEIGHTS
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
HILTON PALACIO DEL RIO
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
KEVIN LATONE, General Manager, Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk
SIEGGY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
BARB MACHADO, Former Executive Director, San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association