Elly Lamp, Derek Plagge to Convention Services, Banquet Manager Positions
Just as a coach would assemble a team before an all-star game, Lee Belfield is recruiting players and their strengths into key positions for an educational venture rare to the Midwest.
Kirkwood Community College has appointed two more people for management posts at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center. Elly Lamp has been hired as convention services manager and Derek Plagge the banquet manager for the new teaching hotel facility. The two join the ranks of what will be 70 or more professional staff at the new teaching hotel/restaurant and conference center on the south side of the college campus.
Elly Lamp is an eastern Iowa native of Tipton and a graduate of Mount Mercy College. Lamp got several years of experience with the Marriott chain of hotels and event facilities in St. Louis and Cincinnati, Ohio. General Manager Belfield calls her addition to The Hotel team as a “real coup for Kirkwood” and the area.
“Elly has earned a great reputation in her work for Marriott. She brings a laser-like focus to guest needs and service and is a bright, articulate addition. Elly brings a different background and perspective not only to our guests and clients but all the students learning with us, too.”
Joining Lamp in the guest services roles is Derek Plagge, a southeast Iowa native who grew up in Ottumwa. After graduating from his hometown high school, Plagge earned a Culinary Arts degree from Indian Hills Community College and later started work with the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids. He later earned a Lodging Management degree from Kirkwood. He has held a goal of work at the new teaching hotel since plans were first announced for it in 2007.
“Derek is the second alumnus of our hotel management program to join our professional staff,” Belfield said. “He has a deep and varied background in food and beverage management, including the culinary arts side. Derek has a tireless work ethic and we know he will be a great role model for our students and his team members, too.”
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center is now nearing completion with an opening to the public anticipated in mid-summer 2010. The facility will offer 71 guest rooms including six suites, a full-service restaurant and catering services, plus conference and event facilities available to corporate, family and other events. The Hotel will be the key working laboratory for hundreds of students in Kirkwood’s five Hospitality Arts programs: Culinary Arts, Restaurant Management, Lodging Management, Food Service and Bakery certificate programs.
More information on The Hotel at Kirkwood Center is available by calling the facility offices, (319) 848-7801, or via the Web:
www.thehotelatkirkwood.com