2026 Excellence Award
December 17, 2025 | Team Member Spotlights
For more than two decades, Guest Services has celebrated the achievements of extraordinary team members through the prestigious Excellence Award (E-Award). This annual recognition honors individuals who exemplify the highest standards of service, leadership, creativity, and care across our organization.
Congratulations to these remarkable leaders, whose commitment and excellence make a lasting impact on the communities and guests we serve.
Kathy Ziegenfuss
2025 E Award Winner
General Manager, Food Service | Operations, Children’s Home of Easton
This year’s E-Award winner, Kathy Ziegenfuss, is celebrated not only by her team but by the Children’s Home of Easton (CHE) community she serves with exceptional devotion. While we gathered notes from direct reports for all nominees, Kathy’s story is best told through a heartfelt message from a longtime CHE staff member and a client who worked alongside her for more than 25 years. Her words capture the essence of Kathy’s impact:
“She is so deserving. I have never met someone who cares so much about the children at CHE. She goes above and beyond for the students AND staff… special meals for homesick kids, birthday celebrations, dietary support, teaching them to cook, beautifully prepared holiday meals, decorations to make the dining hall feel like home. She always finds a way to get the impossible done. Many of the students call her ‘grandma’ because of her love, understanding, and guidance.”
Kathy joined Guest Services in 2014 and has spent 11 years serving CHE with unwavering compassion, organizational excellence, and a deep sense of responsibility for the well-being of every student. She is known for her calm leadership, impeccable standards, and gift for making young people feel cared for and seen. Students and staff alike rely on her as a steady, supportive presence.
A proud wife, mother, and grandmother of six, Sophia, Evan, Carson, Hope, Faith, and Gabriel, Kathy brings warmth and heart to everything she does. Her dedication, humility, and extraordinary service make her a profoundly deserving recipient of the 2025 Excellence Award.
Mike Lutz
2025 E Award Finalist
General Manager, Food Service | Hospitality, Doheny State Beach
A visionary culinary leader, Mike Lutz has transformed the Doho Café at Doheny State Beach into a destination for fresh, coastal cuisine and memorable guest experiences. When Guest Services first assumed the contract in 2020, Mike joined as Executive Chef during a period of limited equipment, weekend operations, and significant permitting challenges. Through perseverance, creativity, and unmatched culinary talent, he stabilized the operation and eventually stepped into the General Manager role.
Beyond the kitchen, Mike is an award-winning author, seasoned surfer, guitarist, traveler, and founder of Spicy Rooster Organic Seasonings. His leadership, creativity, and commitment to excellence have made Doho Café a standout venue within the California State Parks system and a shining example of hospitality done right.
Jeff Monahan
2025 E Award Finalist
General Ledger Manager | Accounting, Corporate
Since joining Guest Services in 2012, Jeff Monahan has become an indispensable member of the Corporate Accounting team. His journey from Senior Accountant to General Ledger Manager reflects his expertise, reliability, and deep understanding of Guest Services’ financial systems.
Jeff played an instrumental role in Workday implementation, educating field teams on new inventory procedures, configuring system workflows, and developing customized reports that improved transparency and efficiency across the company.
Known for his sharp financial instincts, Jeff routinely identifies questionable charges and legacy fees, recovering savings and ensuring fiscal responsibility. His peers describe him as proactive, collaborative, and highly respected.
Outside the office, Jeff can be found cheering on his children at baseball and cheer competitions or volunteering with the Washington Commanders as a game-day sideline assistant.
Ashley Rodriguez
2025 E Award Finalist
General Manager, Food Service | Operations, Boeing National Reconnaissance
A graduate of Johnson & Wales University and a seasoned hospitality professional, Ashley Rodriguez brings more than 20 years of experience across dining, hotels, supermarkets, museums, and business & industry environments.
Ashley joined Guest Services in 2016 and played a central role in launching one of the company’s largest government accounts, CHEFS, overseeing all 11 locations, designing commissary workflows, ensuring recipe consistency, and managing quality control.
He is also known for his technical expertise, having created reference guides for Workday, NextStep POS, inventory systems, and US Foods ordering, resources currently being used company-wide.
A devoted father, Ashley enjoys spending time with his two daughters, traveling, and watching football. His leadership, innovation, and people-first mindset make him an invaluable part of the Guest Services family.