Brooklyn Center Hotel Worker Honored as ‘Rockstar’ Employee
Minneapolis Northwest Tourism honored a Brooklyn Center hotel worker Tuesday for helping guests feel like family.
The group honored Larry Austin, who works the front desk at Fairfield Inn and Suites in Brooklyn Center, as its Summer Hospitality Rockstar.
Austin celebrated two years on staff last week. His manager surprised him at work with the award and a $250 gift card.
Larry Austin, a front desk employee at the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Brooklyn Center, is surprised Tuesday with a gift card and recognition as Minneapolis Northwest Tourism’s Summer Hospitality Rockstar.
He was also honored with a team lunch.
Austin said he never expected this. He said he is grateful for lessons his mom taught him.
“She used to always say, like ‘No matter what you do, no matter what you’ve got going on in your life, or anything like that, just be thankful you’re here. Take advantage of your time here and be happy.’ So I kind of just try to emulate what I saw from her,” Austin said.
Austin said he does his best to be supportive and positive for his team every day.
He said his time in hospitality made him more outgoing.
Cyd Haynes, the CEO of Minneapolis Northwest Tourism, said the award is designed to recognize front line workers.
Fairfield General Manager Gwen Steele nominated Austin for the award.
“I think I was more excited than he was,” Steele said. “Larry is such a humble person, he doesn’t expect anything in return for the good job that he does. That’s why I think he was so well-deserving of this.”
Steele said she picked him because he goes above and beyond.
