ORLANDO, Fla. – The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort recently celebrated its 40th anniversary by honoring 14 employees who have worked at the hotel for 40 years.
The employees were honored during a ceremony in which general manager Paul Joseph announced the dedication of an island at the resort to the group, naming it Ruby Island after the “ruby” anniversary and announcing plans for a special bench to be installed in their honor.
During the ceremony, Mayor Jerry Demings proclaimed Feb. 1, 2024, as Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Day. In 1984, the hotel opened as one of Orlando’s first major resort properties and helped pave the way for the area’s tourism boom.
Through the decades, the resort has continued to maintain its prominence as one of the area’s signature accommodations, earning recognition in 2023 as a top Orlando resort by readers of Conde Nast Traveler and earning the Orlando Sentinel’s Top Places to Work award.
“Forty years is a special achievement and everything we’ve accomplished over that time is thanks to our incredible team,” says Joseph. “What better way to celebrate this milestone than by honoring these talented and dedicated staff.”
The 14 employees honored for their 40 years of service were:
- Annette Dennard, security
- Binh Nguyen, culinary
- Chau Nguyen, cafeteria
- David Osborn, Four Flamingos (restaurant)
- Jean Weliver, Four Flamingos (restaurant)
- Kip Conway, event services
- Linda Reed, security
- Mike Wainwright, Four Flamingos (restaurant)
- Million Ketema, event services
- Robert Platz, culinary
- Robert Torres, guest services
- Sherman Smith, event set up
- Steve Click, guest services
- Thac Pham, stewarding
Congratulations to each of you on your longevity with this beautiful property. I too worked with each of you for 7 years. Started in 87 and married a fellow F&B manager in 93 and was transferred to another property. We had our reception in the White Horse Saloon. I will always love my time there at the Grand Cypress.