Igniting the Spark: OTO Presents Company Awards

February 2, 2026 | Awards

The brightest moment of our 2026 SPARK Leadership Conference was the presentation of OTO’s annual awards. For delivering exceptional hospitality, driving strong results, and igniting the spark that fuels our continued success, we celebrated 2025’s most outstanding properties and people. Click here to watch the awards video.

Excellent Hotels

• HOTEL OF THE YEAR: AC Hotel Jacksonville (General Manager: Hope Jenkins)
• SERVICE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR: Lumina on Wrightsville Beach (General Manager: Brian Elliott)
• OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY CARE AWARD: Lumina on Wrightsville Beach (General Manager: Brian Elliott)
• MOST IMPROVED HOTEL: SpringHill Suites Panama City Beach (General Manager: Melinda Lane)

Exceptional People

• GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Jen Foti, Hampton Inn Times Square Central
• DIRECTOR OF SALES OF THE YEAR: Diana Gonzalez, AC Hotel Jacksonville
• HOME OFFICE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTOR: Rheta Gray, Purchasing Coordinator
• CORRY OAKES LEADERSHIP AWARD: Anita Lopez, Director of Operations Support
• FOOD & BEVERAGE EXCELLENCE AWARDS: Laura Avery, F&B Director, Beal House Fort Walton Beach; and William Roberts, Executive Chef, Lumina on Wrightsville Beach

Guiding Principles Examplars

• PARTNERSHIP: Bruce Hoegg, Accounting Support, Training & Compliance Manager
• INTEGRITY: Sue Dancy, Corporate Controller
• HUMILITY: Peter Davin, Real Estate Analyst
• PRINCIPLED ENTREPRENEURSHIP: Jodie Kuchta, Senior Regional Director of Sales
• INITIATIVE: Jacob Haberman, Director of Hotel Technology
• FULFILLMENT: Maggie Barrera Paz, Area Director of Sales

Spark Awards Video:

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