SUMMER 2014

TPI
INNSIDE

The future is now...

A rebranded name and logo
energizes the TPI team
 Torgerson Properties has a great opportunity waiting
Tom Torgerson illustrates why now is the time to create a win-win outcome

Hello Team! I’m glad to be talking with you at this time as the prolonged winter has finally
faded into the sunset and summer is in full swing!

As always, there is a lot going on in the TPI Hospitality world. Most importantly, we have
shown tremendous growth in guest satisfaction over the past six to twelve months, and have
been awarded an unprecedented number of TripAdvisor Excellent Ratings as well as other
awards and acknowledgements. This is just more evidence of the great job you are all doing
with our guests. I commend you on your dedication to satisfying every guest every time, and
if we happen to drop the ball, we make it right before they get out the door. Your efforts are
very impressive to say the least!

There are so many things going on in the TPI Hospitality world, including repositionings, new
constructions and major renovations. All of these projects have their own stories and lives,
including a lot of enthusiasm by TPI associates for each one. Obviously, there are a lot of
Tom Torgerson balls to keep in the air, and with that, everyone needs to do their part to pull these projects off
Chief Executive Officer with exceptional success. These are true team efforts! There are so many to review, it might
TPI Hospitality
be easier to just list them in this simple format:

- December 2013: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Willmar opened

- March 2014: Green Mill Restaurant and Bar Willmar opened
- March 2014: Courtyard Rochester guest room enhancements completed
- April 2014: Best Western Plus Willmar opened
- April 2014: Hampton Inn Arbor Lakes guest room enhancements completed
- May 2014: Willmar Conference Center opened
- May 2014: Hilton Garden Inn Eagan guest room enhancementss completed
- June 2014: Courtyard Arbor Lakes new Bistro and Lobby reopens
- July 2014: Holiday Inn Express Eagan converts to Quality Inn & Suites Eagan
- August 2014: Ruff’s Wings & Sports Bar Willmar opens
- August 2014: Hampton Inn & Suites Minnetonka opens
- August 2014: Green Mill Restaurant & Bar New Ulm opens
- September 2014: New Ulm Conference Center opens
- September 2014: Homewood Suites by Hilton Rochester opens
- December 2014: Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington guest room enhancements completes
- January 2015: Best Western Plus New Ulm opens
- March 2015: Green Mill Restaurant & Bar Shoreview opens
- March 2015: North Metro Event Center Shoreview opens
- May 2015: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Golden Valley reopens
- July 2015: Best Western Plus Shoreview opens

Projects that are in the process of being developed are:

- Hampton Inn West Bloomington is scheduled to start construction in August of 2014 and open in August of 2015
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Roseville is scheduled to start construction in spring of 2015 and open in spring of 2016
- Hampton Inn Roseville is scheduled to start construction in spring of 2016 and open in spring of 2017

In the back ground, TPI Corp is researching ways to make the associates of TPI more and more the interwoven fabric of TPI
Hospitality and for them to participate in the successes we truly intend to achieve together going forward. We are way too early
into this process, but simply want you all to know that we are building something great together and we want to share that
success with you. So stay tuned on this one. I think that by the end of 2014 we will have something exciting to share with
you. In 2014 TPI will surpass $100,000,000 in revenues, approach $300,000,000 in enterprise gross value and approach 2,000
associates. The entire TPI team has worked very hard to reach these milestones and I want to thank you all for making it
possible. TPI has never believed in sucking money out of the company, as we would rather reinvest and reinvest and reinvest
back into the infrastructure. It is this infrastructure, teamed in unison with the amazing work of so many TPI associates, that
provided the formula for this great company. I wish you all the best summer ever!
~ Tom

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 Leadership, Values, Vision
Mitch Peterson shares his perspective concerning TPI’s greatest opportunity for success

Having just completed our Leadership, Values, Vision rallies company-wide, it feels like a
great opportunity to do a recap of what we shared. First and foremost, I would like to thank
all of the TPI associates who participated in these events. Your interaction, engagement and
feedback were essential to the process and aided greatly in creating successful outcomes. To
align the entire TPI team with the critical message of these rallies, I would like to share some
thoughts with you.

As TPI continues to compete in an increasingly more competitive environment, it is imperative

that we continue to find ways to set ourselves apart from our competition. We feel that there
are three distinct, competitive advantages that we as a team can leverage to insure that TPI
continues to outperform our competition. Those three items are; Leadership, Core Values and
Vision. The following are some thoughts on how these three opportunities can set TPI apart
from our competitors.

Mitch Peterson Leadership: Perhaps the best description that we shared pertaining to leadership was a
President of Operations quote by the 6th President of the United States, John Quincy Adams. President Adams
TPI Hospitality
stated, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more,
you are a leader”. It is a deeply held belief within TPI that each of us, without regard for the
position we hold, have the ability to be a leader. It is simply a choice that each of us must make. Whether it’s helping a
co-worker, going out of our way to assist a guest or simply in the manner in which we conduct ourselves, we can lead. In our
opinion, the primary characteristic of a leader is that the leader always has the best interest of others in mind and is focused
on selfless acts rather than selfish acts. In addition, effective leaders are humble, not arrogant. In this sense, a leader is not
concerned with self-promotion, but rather promotes others. Simply put, leaders are servants first. If you really look at this
simple explanation, it is clear that each of us can lead…it’s simply a matter of choosing to lead. In the end, leadership is less
about words, and more about actions!

Core Values: TPI has long lived by a simple set of core values, and we recently realized the importance of memorializing
them and sharing with everyone within TPI. Essentially, in their simplest form, core values are the basic principles that guide
our conduct within TPI as well as with everyone we interact with, including guests, clients and vendors. They are the
cornerstone to how we make decisions and how we act in the workplace. Our core values are represented in the simple
acronym, STAY SHARP.

Set the example for others to follow – Be a Leader, do what’s right, and inspire others to act in a similar manner.

Tenure is reinvented – Whether any of us has been with TPI for 10 months or ten years, we earn what we receive.
None of us are entitled to anything other than opportunity.

Accountability first – Without regard for any situation we find ourselves in, whether we created it or not, we own it.
There are no victims.

You before me – Simply put, we serve before being served and have the best interest of others in mind before our
own.

Service and guest satisfaction – This is the cornerstone to what we do. We serve each other and our guests…it is the
only reason that we are in business.

Honest and straightforward – Integrity is the strongest asset each of us possesses. There is no substitute for being
honest and direct in a respectful way.

Autonomy is earned – We promote certain freedoms to how each of us approach our roles. We earn these freedoms
only by living our core values and vision statement.

Respect one another – The golden rule: Treat others as you wish to be treated.

continued on page 20...

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 Get your retirement plan on target!
Vanguard Target Retirement Date investments are available in the TPI Retirement Savings Plan

Target Retirement Date investments are designed to address a particular challenge facing many retirement investors;
constructing a professionally diversified portfolio. Many investors lack time or interest when it comes to investment or
retirement planning. They can become overwhelmed by the choice of investments available in a retirement plan lineup. Target
Retirement Date investments are designed to help long-term investors achieve their goals and overcome these challenges.
They are constructed on a number of investment best practices; the principles of asset allocation, diversification,
transparency, and maintaining a balance among risk, return, and cost.

Vanguard Target Retirement Funds are built in accordance with our overall investment philosophy that minimizing costs,
maintaining a long-term outlook, and diversifying across asset classes are key elements of investment success. The glide path
below illustrates our portfolios’ four core investment strategies:

Stock market exposure includes both domestic and international markets.

Bond exposure increases over time, to reduce volatility and offset diminishing future years of workplace income as the
participant approaches and goes beyond retirement.

Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) are added to the mix as an inflation hedge.

Moderate stock market exposure is maintained in retirement for diversification and growth potential.

You can find more information on these investment opportunities by logging on to your TPI Hospitality 401k Retirement Savings
Plan at www.alerusretirementsolutions.com or by calling 800-433-1685. You can also contact Sweet Financial Services at
800-658-2507 for any of your investment related needs.

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 Torgerson Properties Flashback

Innside TPI has been an important part of the TPI culture for twenty-two years. When Innside TPI was published for the first
time, TPI only operated four hospitality brands...Perkins, Holiday Inn, Days Inn and Super 8. We have come a long way since
then. TPI’s longstanding success is directly related to the amazing associates who have been delivering outrageous guest
service in the hospitality industry since 1972, when Tom Torgerson Sr. developed the Holiday Inn of Willmar.

The pictures above identify just a few of the many associates who have helped create so much success since that fateful day
in 1972 that started it all. These people were all featured in Innside TPI at some point between 1992 and 2001, and every one
of them is still part of the TPI team. Can you identify all ten?

The first person who can identify all ten associates correctly and send those names to [email protected] will receive a
certificate for two nights of lodging at any TPI hotel. Here’s a tip...all of the past editions of Innside TPI are available at the TPI
Hospitality website at www.tpihospitality.com/about/innside-tpi

Good luck to everyone!

Carlton Harris honored with the Diamond Service award

Below is the nomination letter submitted by the Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington team

“It was hard to pick just one category to nominate Carlton Harris for because
he wears many hats here. He works in housekeeping, helps out during the
week as a houseman, helps with banquet set up and then works in the
kitchen not only as busser and dishwasher, but he also cooks for us when we
need help. He is always willing to do any extra projects around the hotel, from
cleaning windows to deep cleaning floors. He is a very dedicated individual
and wants to learn as much as possible. Carlton’s commute to work, which
includes walking, biking and riding the bus, can often be a challenge, but he
is always on time and ready to get started. Carlton is one of the hardest
working associates at the Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington, and our entire team
appreciates everything he does for us. Thank you Carlton!”

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 A Blast From The Past!
This page from the Winter 1998 edition of Innside TPI reminds us that our vision statement has long been the foundation of
TPI’s unique culture. Tom’s message encourages all associates to “unleash” their creativity and talent” to assure an
outrageous guest experience. Outrageous guest service is not a task...it’s at attitude. Unleash your attitude!

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 TPI’s Eagan Campus earns a trifecta
Cathy Heuring, Rayisa Shvarts and the Hilton Garden Inn are recognized as the best of the best

TPI Hospitality was presented with multiple awards

exemplifying hospitality excellence during the Eagan
Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Hospitality Heroes Awards
program which took place March 27, 2014.

In order to qualify for an Eagan Hospitality Heroes Award,

candidates must exhibit service above and beyond their
normal job description through outstanding qualities such as
leadership and consistently adding to the general well-being
of guests and patrons.

TPI’s Hilton Garden Inn of Eagan was awarded one of the top
honors, Eagan Property of the Year. This award was given to
Hilton Garden Inn not only for its superior caring of guests, but
also for its active involvement in the community through
organizations such as the Dakota County Regional Chamber
The Hilton Garden Inn team accepts their award from the Eagan Convention
of Commerce and the Eagan Convention and Visitors Bureau. and Visitors Bureau recognizing the hotel as Eagan’s 2014 Property of the Year
Hilton Garden Inn of Eagan surpassed the criteria that were
necessary to win the Eagan Property of the Year award with
outstanding customer service, community involvement,
cleanliness and a never ending determination be to a better
establishment for its guests and its associates.

Two TPI Hospitality associates also had the honor of

receiving an award for their outstanding individual
performance. Cathy Heuring of Staybridge Suites was
nominated by her General Manager, Bill Godbe, who believed
she more than fit all the criteria of this award. The Eagan
Front Desk Associate of the Year is one that shows admirable
qualities such as over-the-top guest service, leadership and
consistency with every guest. Cathy is known by her
manager and staff as one person who greatly impacts her
team members and is constantly viewed as an inspiration by
her co-workers and guests. In one situation, Cathy made a
special trip to the store to get medications for a guest who had
Cathy Heuring of Staybridge Suites accepts the Eagan Convention and Visitors
been experiencing a terrible cold. She even delivered some Bureau award recognizing her as Eagan’s 2014 Front Desk Associate of the Year.
hot chicken soup!

In addition, Rayisa Shvarts of the Holiday Inn Express was the

recipient of the Housekeeper of the Year Award, which serves
as a testament to the high standards, extraordinary attitude
and incredible work ethic that this award honors. During the
awards ceremony, Rayisa was recognized for the six day
weeks she often works along with the abundance of comment
cards she often receives during her work weeks. Her
nomination, submitted by Lucan Smith, Assistant General
Manager at the Holiday Inn Express, stated that “For all of us
at the Eagan Holiday Inn Express, Rayisa could be our Room
Attendant of the Month every month! Rayisa is friendly and
will do anything to make the guest’s stay enjoyable.”

Congratulations to Hilton garden Inn Eagan, Cathy Heuring

and Rayisa Shvarts for your amazing performance and for
absolutely setting the example to others to follow. You make
the entire TPI team proud! Rayisa Shvarts of Holiday Inn Express accepts the Eagan Convention and
Visitors Bureau award recognizing her as Eagan’s 2014 Housekeeper of the Year.

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 A thankful General Manager
Dave Feist offers his thanks to those who helped make the Willmar Legacy Project a success

As most everyone knows, the Willmar campus has been in a Fred Asche, our Chief Maintenance Engineer, for pointing out
state of construction and renovation for over a year. As we the not-so-obvious (as well as the obvious) maintenance
near completion, I would like to issue my gratitude for the help concerns with our contractors, knowing the buildings inside
that we received over the past several months. Thank you to: and out so that our subs had one point of contact for any
questions, keeping the crew on task, rolling with the daily
Tom Torgerson, for having a vision for the future of the Willmar challenges, and pushing through it all with the right attitude.
campus, as well as investing in that vision to make it a reality.
Our front desk associates, for working off of temporary front
Our esteemed leadership team, specifically Dennis Wallenta desks, disappointed guests, closed hotels, and for doing
and Kathy Aamot for helping hammer out all the details and whatever is asked by your boss, as well as whatever it takes
working with all the vendors, contractors and subcontractors for the guest.
and keeping us on task and on budget.
Our housekeeping associates, for making sure our new rooms
Sheryl Walton and Marlene Kubasch for keeping all of the were neat and tidy, for answering to the constant challenges
purchasing contracts, invoices, and agreements organized and for taking whatever task or assignment we gave you and
and questioning the ones that we missed or may have been running with it.
duplicated.
Our maintenance crew, for staying on top of the daily work
Fellow GMs and AGMs (Todd Roy, Emmett Lincoln, Lucas orders, regardless of whose responsibility the issue was, and
Smith, Jason Hall) and all of the associates who took a day for keeping up with the ever changing daily priorities and
away from their properties to come to Willmar, roll up their workload.
sleeves, and help get us cleaned up and ready for our Best
Western Conversion. Again, our leadership team jumped in Dee Anne Osborne, John Cox, Jessica Kloss, and Chad
here as well. Special thanks to the furniture assembly crew of Pemberton, for helping me out with ecommerce, hours of data
Pete Bromelkamp and John Cox. building, rate code set up, strategies and all of the new
challenges that came with setting up our first Best Western
Bob Smith for his constant support and help with getting our Plus. Additional thanks to Chad for filling in as our interim
banged up furniture looking good, and for helping coordinate sales person as well.
other maintenance personnel from other locations to come
and help us out on this endeavor. For those of you who are new to TPI, this project exemplifies
the caliber of the company you have joined. To see the exec-
Tina DeLeo, our Executive Housekeeper, for staying on top of utive team assembling desks, scrubbing walls, helping move
so many challenges, coordinating room sets, tear downs, furniture, offering to help out at every corner, truly demon-
resets, interpreting brand standards and GM requests, strates our core values as a company, and makes TPI
constantly cleaning the ever-settling dust and keeping our Hospitality truly the best hotel and restaurant company to
housekeeping crew directed and on task. work with! Thanks again for everything TPI.

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 TPI reinvestments continue
Recent investment projects continue to change the face of TPI Hospitality

Comfort Inn Willmar has hester under Holiday Inn Willmar has
transformed
into Holiday Inn Express Homewood Suites Roc into Best Western Plus
tranformed
Willmar wit h an Oct ober opening. Willmar
construction

It’s
NEW
It’s

All of the Courtyard Roc

hester guest
h, new look.
NOW The Willmar Conference
Center received a
enhancements.
rooms now sport a fres face lift and technology

Hampton Inn Minnetonk Green Mill Willmar has es’ new

construction with a sum
a under
the outdoor patio soon to
reopened, with The Courtyard Arbor Lak
open s in June.
mer ‘14 opening. be completed. lobby with bistro

9
 Celebrating
Success!

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 Since the last edition of Innside TPI was published six months ago, TPI teams and individual associates have been recog-
nized by many local, national and brand affiliations for their outstanding performance. This unprecedented execution is only
made possible by first-in-class associates working together to create an outrageous experience for their guests and fellow
associates. Congratulations to all of these properties and associates for “setting the example for others to follow”!

TPI Hospitality - Top Hotel Management Company by Hotel Business Magazine

Hampton Inn Fairmont - Highest Guest Satisfaction among all Hampton Hotels worldwide

Courtyard Rochester - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

Staybridge Suites Naples - IHG South Region’s Top Heartbeat Score

Hampton Inn Fairmont - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

Ashley Morgan, Homewood Suites New Brighton - Director of Sales of the Year Award of Merit

Hampton Inn Arbor Lakes - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

Cathy Heuring, Staybridge Suites Eagan - Front Desk Agent of the Year by the Eagan Convention & Visitors Bureau

Hampton Inn Shoreview - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

Staybridge Suites Naples - IHG South Region’s Highest IHG Rewards Club Recognition Score

Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

Jason Subbert, Fairmont Hotels - Honored as General Manager of the Year by Hospitality Minnesota

Hilton Garden Inn Eagan - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

Staybridge Suites Naples - IHG South Region’s Top RevPar Increase

Staybridge Suites Naples - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

Rayisa Shvarts, Holiday Inn Express Eagan - Housekeeper of the Year by the Eagan Convention & Visitors Bureau

Hilton Garden Inn Shoreview - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

Days Inn Willmar - Days Inn Chairman’s Award

Hilton Garden Inn Eagan - Property of the Year by the Eagan Convention & Visitors Bureau

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Eagan - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

Courtyard Arbor Lakes - Marriott’s Gold Circle Award

Holiday Inn & Suites Arbor Lakes - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

Carlton Harris, Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington - Best Busser/Dishwasher by the Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau
Holiday Inn Austin - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

Homewood Suites New Brighton - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

Homewood Suites New Brighton - Hilton’s Connie Pride Award

Homewood Suites St. Louis Park - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

Perkins Austin - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

Staybridge Suites Arbor Lakes - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

Todd Roy, Homewood Suites New Brighton - General Manager of the Year Award of Merit

Staybridge Suites Bloomington - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

Staybridge Suites Eagan - TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Award

11
 Inn the news at TPI Hospitality

Ryan Miller was born and raised in Erin Lafferty joins the Holiday Inn New Melissa Gepp graduated from UWRF
Willmar, MN and attended Willmar public Ulm and Green Mill New Ulm teams as with degrees in English and Spanish and
schools. He attended college in the Sales and Catering Director. She was previously a preschool teacher.
Alexandria and graduated with a degree has over ten years of management She taught for four years until the birth of
in Hotel & Restaurant Management. experience in the hospitality industry her son, and currently has two kids,
After college, Ryan joined Pillar Hotels & with a focus in food and beverage. She Anthony and Samantha. Melissa
Resorts where he spent the last six is a native to the New Ulm area and returned to the workforce at the front
years of employment. He held positions recently moved to be closer to her desk of TownePlace Suites in Eagan.
ranging from an Operations Manager, to family. Erin and her husband John have She moved up to Sales Coordinator and
AGM, to task force GM to GM of his own an eight year old daughter and nine year then SMERFE Sales Manager for both
property. He has worked in several old son. She spends most of her free the SpringHill and TownePlace. After six
different brands, including Marriott, time at her children’s sports activities or years, Melissa moved to Bloomington
Hilton, IHG and Hyatt. He is looking with her family. with Hyatt Place and Holiday Inn
forward his future with TPI and to Express. She is very excited to be part
building relationships with his new staff. of the Eagan Sales team as the
Welcome to TPI, Ryan! Corporate Sales & Catering Manager.

Candace Huisman has recently been Holiday Inn Austin welcomes Nick The Willmar team would like to introduce
promoted to the position of Assistant Hansen as Assistant General Manager. their new hotel AGM for the Willmar
Housekeeper at Best Western Plus Nick is a 1998 Graduate of Glenville- campus. Nadene Schliep joined the
Willmar. Candace has been with TPI Emmons High School and attended team as a prior manager of two busi-
Hospitality for many years, starting out at Riverland community college for nesses in Willmar, and has a degree in
Green Mill Willmar in 2000. She had Construction Electrician. He has seven Business Management. Nadene and
become a fixture in the Green Mill years of experience in hospitality, two of her husband have been married for 23
kitchen, and recently made the switch to which he was the AGM at Holiday Inn years and they also raise beef cattle. In
the front desk area at the Best Western Express and AmericInn in Albert Lea, her free time Nadene enjoys spending
Plus. She is excited about her new role MN. Prior to coming to TPI he worked as time with her husband and their three
and looks forward to working with the the Supply Chain Director for Bellisio kids, Samantha (23), Amy (21) and Ryan
Housekeeping team in the newly Foods in Austin. Nick is an avid (16). She is an avid reader, and an
updated hotel. Congratulations on your Minnesota Vikings fan and when he is established cattle rustler. Welcome to
new role, Candace. not watching football he enjoys spending TPI, Nadine.
time with his wife, Vicki and his
daughters, Makayla 11 and Olivia 3.

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 Inn the news at TPI Hospitality

Introducing Mavie Sue Hannan! Mavie Jeanette Patwell is excited to be joining Chelsey Walerak has recently accepted
was born on May 12th at 10:12am and is the Holiday Inn Express Golden Valley the Director of Sales and Catering
the daughter of Kyle Hannan and his team as the Front Desk Manager. She position at the Holiday Inn and Austin
fiance Alyssa. Kyle is the Front Desk currently lives in Burnsville but will be Conference Center. Chelsey previously
Supervisor at Homewood Suites New moving to Chaska in November. was the Director of Catering, and prior to
Brighton. Mavie weighed in at seven Jeanette previously worked at the that she had been the Banquet Manager.
pounds, three ounces and was 19 ¾ Hampton Inn & Suites in Bloomington, Chelsey is very involved in the
inches long. As you can see, she has a located near the Mall of America and the Austin community, serving as a local
full head of read hair! Congratulations to MSP airport. She was with that property chamber ambassador and working
Kyle and Alyssa on the birth of their new for a little over five years and will miss it closely with the Convention and Visitors
blessing. dearly, but is looking forward to Bureau to help sell Austin as a great
establishing great relationships with the place to meet and stay. She has a
entire team at Holiday Inn Express passion for not only delivering an
Golden Valley as well as the rest of the exceptional product, but also selling it.
TPI Hospitality team. Congratulations on your new role,
Chelsey.

Michelle Shamrokh recently joined the John Buttweiler joined the Hilton Mackenzie Kennedy has recently
West End Campus sales team. Garden Inn Shoreview team in May as accepted the Sales and Catering
Michelle will represent the Homewood their Maintenance Engineer. John grew Manager position for the Arbor Lakes
Suites St. Louis Park, Holiday Inn up in the North Metro area of Campus. Mackenzie began her career
Express & Suites Golden Valley and Minneapolis and has lived here all his with TPI Hospitality in 2009 as a
Hampton Inn & Suites Minnetonka as life. He is happily married to Eileen and bartender at Holiday Inn & Suites Arbor
the SMERF Sales Manager. Michelle’s has a wonderful son and daughter-in- Lakes. She then moved to Courtyard
background includes sales, teaching, law, Jon and Jessica, and awesome Arbor Lakes, working as a morning
modeling, coaching and downhill skiing. grandkids, Kaela and Noah. John’s work Server, Dining Room Manager and most
She is excited to utilize her natural place origins were in the car business as recently as Food & Beverage Manager.
interaction with clients and guests on a an auto body technician, and later in Mackenzie also has a background in
daily basis. This summer Michelle is residential and commercial remodel and sales working for It’s Just Lunch and
looking forward to playing volleyball, repair. He is now repairing and Zeps, prior to and during her time with
swimming, going to the park and maintaining a hotel and lov’n it! John’s TPI. Congratulations on your new
spending time with her husband Ben and hobbies include old cars, the outdoors position, Mackenzie.
step daughter, Zayda. and making Maple Syrup.

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 Inn the news at TPI Hospitality

Penny Karsjens has accepted the Gail Nelson joined TPI as Director of Bhakti Joglekar recently joined the
Assistant Director of Catering Sales Sales for the Rochester campus. Her Bloomington Campus as their new
position at the Holiday Inn Austin past experience includes being a Corporate Sales Manager. Prior to
Conference Center. Penny worked for Marketing Director, Branch Manager, joining TPI, Bhakti had extensive
her parents in a small fast food and Mortgage Loan Officer in banking. experience with Starwood Hotels &
restaurant as a teen, and then spent She is excited to learn the hospitality Resorts, working at the Westin Edina,
several years at home raising a family. industry and to help grow TPI’s footprint the Westin Minneapolis, and the Westin
About ten years ago she re-entered the in the Rochester market. Gail is involved in Governor Morris, NJ. Bhakti started
work force working for Applebee’s as a with the United Way, Chamber of her career in Pune, India, where she
host and server. She then transitioned Commerce and the Rochester CVB. completed her Bachelors degree in Hotel
into an office assistant position and then When not at work, Gail and her husband, Management at the University of Pune.
to an office manager. Penny enjoys Scott, are watching their two children In her free time she volunteers for Allina
spending time with her four children and play sports. Her son Jack is quarterback Health and across the Twin Cities for
two dogs, family and friends. She also for Winona State, and her daughter hospice, respite and eleventh hour
likes to golf, go for walks, motorcycle Emma plays three sports for Byron High care. She loves to bike, read and travel.
rides, and cooking. School. Gail and her family live in Byron. Welcome to Bloomington, Bhakti.

Kathy Aamot is a grandma? That can’t Linda Mead has recently been Angie Winkel is joining Green Mill New
be true! Well, here are the facts. promoted to the Executive Housekeeper Ulm and the New Ulm Conference
Welcome Jack Christopher Skordahl, position at Best Western Plus Willmar. Center teams as their new General
son of Kathy’s daughter Bria and her Linda joined the Willmar team in 2013 as Manager. Angie built her career with TPI
husband Chris. Jack was born on an Assistant Housekeeper and has done managing at the Green Mill in Shoreview
Sunday, February 9th at 7:24am. He an excellent job. She is determined to fill for the last 16 years. She has lived in
weighed in at seven pounds, fifteen the shoes of the former veteran the Twin Cities area her entire life, and in
ounces and was 20 ½ inches long. Executive Housekeeper, Tina Smith, her free time she enjoys cabin weekends
Everyone survived the ordeal well...even who recently moved to Illinois. Linda at the lake with her friends and family,
grandma! Congratulations to Bria and looks forward to working with the spending time with her niece and
Chris, as well as grandma Kathy and Housekeeping team and continuing their nephews, and cheering on the Twins
grandpa Brett. past success. Congratulations on your with her parents and brothers.
new role, Linda. The Willmar team is
excited to have you on board.

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 Inn the news at TPI Hospitality

Andy Anderson recently joined the Andrea Steele was recently promoted to David Wedan, a cook at Courtyard
Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center AGM at SpringHill Suites Rochester. Arbor Lakes, recently performed the
and Torge’s Live team as their Food and Andrea grew up in the Kasson- Heimlich procedure on one of his fellow
Beverage Director. Andy has lived in the Mantorville area which is a small town associates who was seriously choking.
Austin area for the last 14 years and is just outside of Rochester. She has been David remained calm and reacted
very much vested in the community. He married for 21 years and has a son. immediately. His calm demeanor and
brings solid experience from different Before working in hotels, Andrea went to quick actions made this almost seem like
franchises including Applebee’s, Red Cosmetology school where she decided no big deal, but without David’s timely
Lobster, Chili’s, and Chuck E Cheeses. a career in hospitality might better suit response, it could have become a very
Andy met his wife of 21 years in Virginia her personality. Andrea has worked at big deal. Kudos to David Wedan for
and they have two wonderful twins, one the SpringHill Suites for six years and is what was truly a heroic effort.
boy and one girl. He is involved in very enthused about her new role. She
coaching his children’s sports and loves is looking forward to continuing to
spending time outdoors. Andy says he broadening her knowledge in the
has a strong desire to become a great hospitality industry and to growing as a
leader with TPI Hospitality. manager. Congratulations Andrea!

The Holiday Inn & Suites Arbor Lakes Elicia Allen joined the TPI team as a The Willmar campus would like to
would like to welcome Chrys Rodriguez SMERF Manager, and recently became welcome Staci Tegels Nelson as their
as the new Assistant General Manager. Corporate Sales Manager for the West Director of Sales and Catering. Prior to
Chrys has over eight years of beverage End Hotels. Her background includes coming to TPI Hospitality, Staci was the
and front office management experience being a Sales Manager for Select Sales and Service Manager at US Bank
but also taught Speech Communications Comfort and a Manager for Ivivva Willmar. Staci and her husband Les live
before transitioning into the hospitality Athletica. Elicia’s experience with client in Willmar and have three grown
field. Chrys has been with TPI since negotiations and customer service drew children. In her free time Staci enjoys
2009. Outside of work, Chrys enjoys her to the hospitality industry where she working out at two local gyms and is
frequent trips to Las Vegas and watches enjoys focusing on relationship building. currently studying to become a Certified
every TV show known to mankind, Elicia prefers an active lifestyle including Personal Trainer. Welcome to the
except for reality TV..well, maybe just the volunteering on the planning committee Willmar team, Staci.
Kardashians. Best of luck in your new for the Twin Cities Marathon, teaching
role, Chrys. Yoga Sculpt as a certified trainer,
running marathons and triathlon and
spending time with her dog Abby.

15
 Inn the news at TPI Hospitality

Chris Carey recently joined the TPI The Rochester campus would like to TPI would like to welcome Cole
team as General Manager of Staybridge welcome Renee Deeds as their new Matthew Rath. Cole is the son of Holly
Suites Eagan. Chris fell in love with the Sales Manager. After obtaining her Rath, General Manager at Homewood
hospitality industry as a teenager and nursing degree from the University of Suites St. Louis Park, and her husband,
has been in the business since 1994. South Dakota, Renee spent over twenty Matt. Cole, who was born on Thursday,
He has worked with Radisson, Sheraton, years in nursing, most recently with the April 24th at 8:06pm, weighed in at
Embassy Suites, AmericInn as well as Department of General Surgery at the seven pounds, two ounces and was
working as a Regional Manager. Most Mayo Clinic. She joined the TPI team in nineteen inches long. Rumor has it that
recently he was the GM of The Estes 2012 as a barista/server at the Marriott Cole has mom, dad and dogs Bella
Park Resort in Colorado where he was Courtyard Bistro. Renee is married and (Great Dane) and Harley (Lab) wrapped
awarded the “Top 25 GMs to watch in has two beautiful stepdaughters ages around his tiny finger already!
2013” by Hotel Management Magazine. ten and eighteen. With her free time, Congratulations Holly and Matt on your
Chris resides in Lakeville with his wife, she also enjoys kayaking, card making new bundle of joy!
Dallas, and their two children, Behr and and scrapbooking. Congratulations,
Island. Chris enjoys boating, fishing, Renee, and best of luck in your new
camping and hiking. position.

Kristin Sorensen joined the Hampton Lindsey Thompson has just recently Bill Godbe has accepted the General
Inn Fairmont team in February as the relocated. She was the Assistant Manager position at TPI’s soon-to-open
Property Supervisor. She is from a Navy General Manager at Holiday Inn Express Hampton Inn & Suites in Minnetonka.
family and has lived in many hotels Golden Valley, and has now transferred He was most recently the General
growing up due to so much traveling. to become the Assistant General Manager at Staybridge Suites Eagan.
She has gained her passion for this Manager at Courtyard Rochester. Bill’s hotel career began in 1999 at the
industry from this experience. She now Lindsay is originally from the Rochester front desk of the Amerisuites - Mall of
resides in Spirit Lake, IA and is a diehard area, and she is very happy to be closer America while studying Hospitality
Chicago Bears and Blackhawks fan. to her family and friends and is enjoying Management at Normandale Community
Kristin is a recent graduate of South the opportunity to spend more time with College. His most recent position was at
Dakota State University with her degree them since her move back. In her free Pillar Hotels and Resorts as the General
in Hospitality Management. Eager to time Lindsey enjoys being with her Manager of Hampton Inn - Minnetonka,
learn and get more experience under her nephew, golfing and kayaking with which will now be dropping the Hampton
belt, she is hoping to make a great friends. We wish you the best of luck in brand. Bill’s previous experience in the
impact on the Fairmont team. Welcome your new home, Lindsey. Minnetonka market promises to be a
aboard, Kristin! great asset to the new hotel.

16
 Inn the news at TPI Hospitality

Andrew Rohlik has been promoted to Holiday Inn Austin is excited to welcome TPI presents Tom Hed as the newly
the Food & Beverage Manager at Becky Meany as their new Banquet appointed Assistant General Manager at
Courtyard Maple Grove. Andrew is a Manager. Becky has been with TPI Perkins Fairmont. Tom began his career
native Minnesotan and has been with since 2011. After attending college in in the food industry as a dishwasher at
TPI since 2010 when he started at the Wisconsin for the last three years, Becky the age of fifteen. Now, his passion for
Courtyard as a line cook. Andrew and has recently graduated with with a food, attention to detail, and drive for
his wife welcomed their first child, Bachelor of Science degree in excellence has brought him into the TPI
Maverick, this past February. Andrew Professional Communications and family. Tom is recently engaged and has
takes over his position at the Courtyard Emerging Media. Along with her degree two beautiful children, Spencer, 7, and
as the hotel transitions the Food & she also obtained a minor in Human Kaylee, 5. Congratulations, Tom, and
Beverage operations to Marriott’s new Resource Management. Becky enjoys welcome to TPI!
Bistro concept. Good luck in your new spending time with her family and
role, Andrew. friends. She is also an avid Minnesota
Twins, Wild, and Vikings fan.

Green Mill New Ulm welcomes Joe Kayla Brice joined the Hilton Garden Sue Agostinelli joined Homewood
Romasiewicz as their new kitchen Inn Shoreview team in May as their Suites New Brighton as the Director of
manager. He recently moved to Executive Housekeeper. She grew up in Sales. She most recently worked at the
Minnesota in November from South the small town of Brillion, WI. Kayla DoubleTree Bloomington South. Prior to
Florida. He has spent the last 11 years in graduated from the University of the DoubleTree, Sue was Vice President
Restaurant Management both Front and Wisconsin – Stout in 2012 with a degree of Davidson Travel, a full service travel
Back of the house. Out of work he enjoys in Hotel Restaurant & Tourism agency. She resided in Great Falls, MT
spending time with his children, visiting Management. During her college years for over twenty years before relocating to
the parks, riding bikes, walks, and she experienced several internships, the Twin Cities. Sue studied Marketing
outdoor sports. He is looking forward to including two at Walt Disney World. at Montana State University, and
growing his career with TPI and excited After graduation, she moved to the Twin obtained her CMP certificated in 2006
to begin a new Green Mill in New Ulm! Cities to start her career in the and renewed it in 2011. She has two
hospitality industry. Welcome to the grown children, two grandsons, a
Shoreview team, Kayla. granddaughter on the way and lives with
her two dogs Beemer and Seeley.
Welcome Sue!

17
 Whatever it takes for outrageous guest service...
A guest comment received at the Austin Conference Center...

Oh my, where do I start? We had such a great experience working with Chelsey Walerak
and Penny Karsjens. These two women and the rest of the staff that night were
“How nice! I outstanding. The ballroom looked so beautiful after they decorated. Penny even went out
mean, who does and got some powdered snowflakes to add to our table centerpieces after she noticed our
wedding cake was a birch bark cake. She thought it would add to the outdoor winter theme!
that these days? How nice! I mean, who does that these days? We felt so grateful. I could rave even longer.
Call me if you need more compliments!
We felt so
grateful. I could
A guest comment received at Staybridge Suites Naples...
rave even
I want you to know that one of your front desk associates made the difference in us
longer!” choosing to stay at your hotel. Lindita Fteja answered my call back in January responding
to my questions about Staybridge Suites. She was extremely helpful, kind, friendly,
knowledgeable and courteous as she enthusiastically told us about why my family and I
would thoroughly enjoy our week's stay.

A guest comment received at Staybridge Suites Bloomington...

Vanessa Sparks went above and beyond to check on me and other guests in the family reunion party to make sure we had
all we needed. She is a great asset to your hotel and company. She knows her job and does it with ease and a great smile
too. Don't lose her.

A guest comment received at Courtyard Rochester...

I am writing to share with you that your staff at the Courtyard in Rochester is amazing! We got to know many of them
during our stay, and they all treated us with respect and kindness. They were professional and courteous and extremely
accommodating! Your staff there is by far the kindest hotel staff that I have encountered, and they have obviously been
trained well!

A guest comment received at Staybridge Suites Arbor Lakes...

It was such a pleasure to deal with Trisha Heiling. She was polite, understanding, efficient and happy to help. Our
extended family is leaving the Maple Grove area, so we may not have many future opportunities to stay at your facility, but
I want to recognize Trisha’s exceptional performance and I hope your organization does as well.

A guest comment received at Homewood Suites new Brighton...

Every single staff member that I encountered was friendly and courteous and always willing to go the extra mile. I get the
impression that this hotel is a great place to work because all of the staff genuinely seemed to be happy to be there. The
little extra touches like the welcome gifts containing a sports drink and a snack for the players, the kid-friendly breakfasts,
the newspaper with the flyers waiting for me and a handwritten welcome note did not go unnoticed and were much
appreciated.

A guest comment received at Perkins Fairmont...

I just wanted to take a moment to brag about one of your employees. Ashley Jordan waited on me and my family and gave
us tremendous service with a smile. You should be very proud to have her as part of your team.

18
 YOU have the power!
A guest comment received at Holiday Inn Express Willmar...

I would like to draw your attention to the performance of two of your employees at the Holiday Inn Express. Christine
Jackson and Justin Pierskalla are both doing an excellent job of representing your organization at the front desk. Due to
a sudden change in health of our father, my sisters and I recently needed to visit Willmar for several days. Christine showed
empathy toward our family as we explained our need for flexibility and she worked very hard to accommodate our every
request. Justin was also very gracious as we made various changes to our schedules during his shift as well. Please
recognize these two individuals in any way possible for their contributions to an excellent experience at your hotel.

A guest comment received at Holiday Inn Austin...

Victor Rodriguez at the front desk has amazing customer service skills! Keep him around, he has a great energy!

A guest comment received at Hilton Garden Inn Shoreview...

Kory Lesnick made me feel like she cared about my stay and was helpful by providing directions to my local destinations.
I sensed her fellow employees had respect and admiration for her as well. She is a bubbly individual, and has an outgoing
personality. I have met hundreds of people in my seventy one years of traveling, and felt compelled to complement your
organization on having such a devoted employee with such a fantastic personality and attitude.

A guest comment received at Hilton Garden Inn Eagan...

The breakfast buffet was awesome, but Creshod Watkins made it an experience! He should be a stand up comedian, well,
he actually was. Seriously funny, charming, and we could not help but enjoy everything about breakfast. Several of us
stayed after we finished because we were having such a good time. We left in such a good mood, we would stay there again
in a heartbeat! Thanks again, Creshod, and all of the other friendly people working at the Hilton Garden Inn Eagan.

A guest comment received at Hampton Inn Arbor Lakes...

My rental car was stuck in a snowbank and it was not coming out. I was late for an appointment with a prospective
customer, and that car was not budging. Gary Johnson showed up, and to make a long story short, he was determined to
get me out. He trudged through knee deep snow, dug through ice and finally pulled me out with his personal vehicle. Great
service! He saved me who knows how many hours and tow fees. Tell Gary I said thanks!

A guest comment received at Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington...

“We were on our
Kendra Alfonso was so incredible it made me want to leap across the desk and hug her!
She had the biggest and brightest smile on her face and a tone in her voice which made me way home from
know she actually cared. She cared about our family having a good time in the lobby
instead of acting like we were a bother. Oh, and Sue Lawson, our bartender, also cared
a depressing
that we were enjoying ourselves. All of the staff we encountered had a genuine concern. Mayo visit,
Mariah and the
A guest comment received at Perkins Austin...
whole staff were
We have honestly never met a more friendly staff. Everyone made us feel so welcome and
happy that we were there. Mariah Paaverud was just wonderful. She was so cheerful. We exactly what we
were on our way home from a depressing Mayo visit, Mariah and the whole staff were just
exactly what we needed. Thank you so much for such a great experience.
needed.”

19
 ...continued from page 3, Leadership, Values, Vision

Pace setters win – There is no resource available to us that is more valuable than time itself. We don’t believe in
wasting time. Every second lost is gone forever!

Vision: TPI developed a vision statement many years ago. It simply states, “Whatever it takes for outrageous guest service.
You have the power!” Each of you has been exposed to this vision statement from the moment you joined TPI Hospitality. It
bears repeating what this statement truly means. It is actually a very simple, yet powerful, concept. In the daily roles we each
have at TPI, we not only have the right, but also the responsibility, to do whatever it takes to insure that our guest’s
expectations are consistently being exceeded. Without regard for what role you have within TPI, your number one priority is
to satisfy our guest’s wants and needs. It is the responsibility of each of us to understand our guest’s expectations and be
proactive in exceeding them. Executing your role, smiling and greeting guests, being alert for opportunities and going above
and beyond, are just a handful of examples of how we can each live our vision statement. Sometimes the simplest gesture
can have the greatest impact! Our guests simply need to know that we care for and appreciate them. Without satisfied guests,
we wouldn’t be employed.

In closing, please keep this thought in mind as you continue to execute your role at TPI: Leaders, who consistently live by a
sound set of Core Values, and act with a clear Vision, ultimately create success. Each of you has the ability to be a
leader…don’t waste that opportunity!

My heartfelt thanks to each of you for all of your contributions! I am proud to be associated with you and it is a privilege to
serve you!

Mitch

At TPI Hospitality, we believe in our associates...

“Whatever It Takes For Outrageous Guest Service
...You Have The Power!”

TPI Hospitality
Water’s Edge Professional Building
103 15th Avenue NW Suite 200
P.O. Box 1020
Willmar, MN 56201
Phone: 320-235-7207

Check out our web site at www.tpihospitality.com