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Offutt Inn wins 2012 ACC Innkeepers Award proving "Mission First, People Always"

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. April Pham
  • 55th Force Support Squadron
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The first impression is a lasting impression. That's what front desk employees learn on the first day at the job. The front desk at Lodging is not just a place for guests to check in and out but it's also a passageway to Offutt. So, the attitude of the staff and the quality of their work will have a profound effect upon guests' impressions.

The mission of Offutt Inns is to provide quality lodging facilities and services to maintain mission readiness and quality of life, while keeping official travel costs to a minimum. Whether providing support to distinguished visitors or the most junior airmen, Offutt Inns' quality of service is nothing less than outstanding. With a 98% customer service satisfaction rating, Offutt Inns was awarded the Air Combat Command Small Category 2012 Innkeeper Award.

The Innkeeper Award Program was created in 1981 by the Air Force Services Agency. The competition begins each year within 13 major commands and 88 major bases worldwide, and is divided into two categories: large and small. The small category allows a maximum of 285 beds. To compete for the Innkeeper Award, the facility must meet specific criteria and a comprehensive accreditation checklist totaling 483 items worth a maximum of 1,608 points.

Due to winning the ACC nomination in May, the AFSVA Innkeeper evaluator team will return sometime between June 15 - 30 for the Air Force-wide award.

"The Offutt Inns competing for the Air Force Innkeeper Award is a huge accomplishment," said Tom Fahrer, 55th Force Support Squadron deputy commander. "Our Lodging operation has consistently operated at a very high level with lodging accreditation scores well above 95 percent. This is a credit to the hard work and perseverance of the entire lodging staff."

Offutt Inns is managed by Harry Flowers, who was among the first Air Force civilians in ACC to become a certified hotel administrator through the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

"Mr. Flowers has provided fantastic leadership and oversight to this operation and he will give well-deserved credit to his staff," Fahrer said. "They are a fantastic team and are very deserving of this honor."

With his 32 years of experience within the hospitality industry, he has led his team to become one of the top four lodging services in the Air Force Fahrer added. From this vantage point, their ideal is to become the Air Force's best without losing sight of their teams ultimate goal - to improve operations and enhance the quality of life for the Offutt community.

Offutt Inns offers many amenities and accommodations to enhance guest experience. In addition to many of the free services Offutt Inns offers, such as Wi-Fi internet, cable television, and DVD rentals, toys may also be checked out to guests with children staying the Temporary Lodging Facility. Guests may also enjoy a fresh meal catered by the Patriot Club as the first known lodging facility in the Air Force to provide room service.

Every member of the 55th Force Support Squadron is prepared for the arrival of AFSVA, but more help is always hard to turn down. If you'd be interested in joining Lodging on their journey to becoming the Air Force's best, they would love to have you on their team and encourage you to apply for a career. Please contact Tech. Sgt. April Pham at 294-3671 for more information.