On The Move

Alex Ramos-Cortes, GM, Jacksonville FL

Welcome back Alex Ramos-Cortes!  We are thrilled to have Alex Ramos-Cortes back to RRI West as a GM in Jacksonville.  As we bid farewell to Jo Myers last month, we knew we had big shoes to fill to keep the Jacksonville property going strong... and we knew just where to look!  Alex was previously with Red Roof as our Assistant General Manager at the Gainesville location where he was able to get his feet wet in the world of management. While he resigned in late 2021 to seek new opportunities, still in hospitality and customer service - he is so excited to be back at RRI West!  

Alex has hit the ground running after training and is ready to focus on his Q-score, deep cleaning rooms, and getting a handle on what his guests are saying using the review recommendations summary report.  We see great things for Alex in 2025!

Gina Moyer, GM, Columbus Downtown and Ohio State

Gina Moyer continues to excel with RRI West.  For those who don't know her full story... she actually started out in our Design and Construction department at our corporate offices back in 2012! Out of personal interest, Gina asked if she could attend our Inn Management training program... and she was hooked! Gina quickly took on the Assistant General Manager role at the Columbus Downtown location.  And when the GM opportunity presented itself, she was the easy choice to step into that position!  She has truly put her heart and soul into the downtown location, creating a welcoming environment for our convention customers, and a family-like atmosphere for her team.  

We recently had an open GM position at our OSU property... and while we have not done it in a long time... we felt the opportunity was right for Gina to spread her wings, and share her secrets to success as a dual Columbus GM.  She will now oversee both locations.  Her spirit, drive and support teams at both properties will allow her to see successful results in 2025!  Congrats Gina! 

MIBE VIBE

We tend to look at life as constantly moving; ever busy (our never-ending quest for more time – see last month’s Mibe Vibe for more info on time!); and complicated.  We have this report due, and that email to respond to, we have to remember to get in rooms daily, we can’t forget to provide that new employee feedback.  And did you remember to check the emergency lights as you walked down the hall, oh yeah and your RVPO needs your daily OOO report, and oh crap, you need to make some sales calls if I want that portion of my 4th QTR bonus.  And don’t forget your daily MPR chart!  It’s a lot!!!  Or is it really?

Footers Catering, based in Denver Colorado, recently published the following article about slowing down and really focusing on what’s important. Continue reading for more!

It’s Not That Complicated: Erin Young, Footers Catering

Have you ever had someone cross your path that was just… well… different? These special people leave such a lasting impression that you cannot help but to change the way you live just by knowing them.  My Grandma Marie (or ReeRee as we called her) was as special as they came. And although she is no longer with us, she still has a lasting impact on my day-to-day life.

I recently put pen to paper as to why her presence was so remarkably different. You see, she didn’t have the most “successful” life as defined by today’s society. She lived in less than 5 homes her entire life, drove one car, had one partner, and traveled very little. She never won any awards, was never publicly recognized for anything, and yet my Gram was the most joyful, loving, kind and forgiving person I had the privilege of knowing. I’d like to share 10 simple reasons I witnessed to make my Gram who she was:

1. Eat chocolate daily. Yep, that right… daily! Don’t deprive yourself of this tasty goodness, and as Gram would say, “it’s good for you”. 

2. If you’re going to watch TV, make sure it is something that fills your soul. Gram was Ellen’s #1 fan, and although she may not have always known what day it was, she never forgot that Ellen was on at 3 PM.

3. Relax. Not only physically but mentally too. Slow down, breathe and trust that everything will work out. 

4. Go for a walk. Leave the air pods, podcasts, and music behind and just take in the sounds around you.

5. Laugh daily. This is free medication, and the side effects are oh so healing. 

6. Make eye contact and smile at strangers. We are all fighting a battle no one knows about. You never know what a smile will do for someone. 

7. Hug your loved ones. Like laughter, this is a free medication that will boost your energy.

8. Surrender control. Gram didn’t always have it easy and as each challenge came up, I watched her surrender and let go of the outcome she wanted.

9. Forgive quickly and often. And make sure you start with the person in the mirror. 

10. And last but certainly not least, dance! Gram was movin' and groovin' every chance she had, and the joy that came with it was contagious.

As easy as these may seem, I can honestly say that I am still working on mastering several. I hope one or two of these resonated with you and you will join me in enjoying the simple parts of life!  And if my sweet Gram were here today, and I were to ask her what the secret to living the way she did was, I feel confident she would say, “Dolly, stop trying so hard, it’s not that complicated”.

Back to RRI West

So back to us!  Tamara and Stephanie can often be heard around the New Albany office, saying “Keep it Simple Sister” or (KISS as it’s now written on Stephanie’s dry erase board).  We need to sometimes take a breath and take Gram’s advice that we need to not try so hard.  It’s OK to stop.  It’s OK to take a breath.  It’s OK to ask for help.  It’s OK to DANCE!  

And if you don’t believe Gram, or Tamara and Stephanie… maybe this famous quote from Ferris Bueller will resonate with you!  “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it”!

People on the move!

RRI West wants to congratulate Jamie Bryant for making the 760-mile drive from West Virigina to Massachusetts to begin managing location #3650 in South Deerfield! 

Jamie has been with RRI West since the spring of 2024... and with the start of her management in South Deerfield, will officially have 3 properties under her belt before the end of her first year!   Jamie's ability to remain calm under pressure, create a work environment of structure, accountability and results has made a positive impression on the leadership team.  When the opportunity arose for a new GM in South Deerfield, Jamie gladly raised her hand and was excited to make the new and exciting move!  

Her new location will bring her experience in fall foliage guest traffic, University of Mass football and a tenured team to help welcome her to her new home!  Congrats Jamie!