Personal Growth and a Check Off My Bucket List

It is human character to enjoy what is comfortable, to not push limits and to resist change when it first arrives. We all have done it... as I have. On the younger side of my twenties, it is time to stop resisting the unknown and accept the changes in life. I left my home, family and friends to pursue a life-changing opportunity here at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, Pennsylvania. Little did I know... that life changing capabilities lie in more than just starting a new career.

Nemacolin offers so many opportunities to cross off my ever-growing personal "bucket list." In order to gain a better understanding of just a small portion of what a guest experiences at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, I jumped at the opportunity to experience some of the Resort's amenities. In just two days, I traded my own vehicle for an Off-Road Jeep Rubicon tour through the rugged back-country of the Laurel Highlands.  The next day, my other ride had four legs, as I took a trip around the surrounding woodlands on horseback.

One Tuesday in June, the Adventure Center set me up with an opportunity to complete the Canopy Tour which combined the 40' Ropes Course and the Fatbird Flyer Zip Line. Never participating in anything like this before, the adrenaline rush had me scurrying up the first set of pegs on a telephone pole sized vertical log. I climbed without hesitation until I found myself frozen on the ladder leading to the first obstacle. I was scared. Looking down, I wavered, “I think I’m going to have to climb back down, I can’t do this.” I stood in position, mentally and physically stuck, as the guide perched above on his stand, forty feet in the air answered back, “Yes, you can.” He howled from the post, “just keep going.” The simple words of encouragement made me gulp. This guy lived up there for hours out of the day, happily offering reassurance and directing guests, and I’m the one who is afraid. I pushed forward, mind completely blank and heart beating out of my chest, but I made it to the first obstacle. Swings – people had to walk across these? Indeed, they did. As the Guide sensed my concern, he told me what to do next, and continued to do so at every point I reached. With each obstacle, I begged myself not to quit, and as soon as I crossed each one, a sense of relief and pride waved over me for a few moments before the determination to finish the next challenge flooded my mind again. The only way down was to complete the course, and I was making it across the jungle of wooden planks, ropes and tires. Before I knew it I was floating down on a Zip Line to the finish. I took deep, full breaths of the clean Pennsylvania mountain air and as soon as I touched the ground, I was unable to wipe the smile off my face. The Fatbird Flyer only enhanced my delight as I flew through the trees in a grand finale.

Pushing through something that I’ve never done before gave me a renewed sense of self. I am a better individual than I was before, and it wasn’t because I lost “those last five pounds” or bought new shoes; it was because I truly became a stronger person for pushing myself to do something that I thought I couldn’t do. Unusual challenges serve as a reminder of what the mind and body are capable of, and anyone can experience that here. I wouldn’t give that feeling up, and I can’t wait to do it again – maybe a little bit faster next time.


Christina Petrilli
Assistant Marketing Manager
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Make This A Helping Holiday

It all began about two weeks ago when I walked past the television and caught a glimpse of a commercial featuring Santa. I had no idea the jolly old elf was already in town.  That knot in my throat, breaking out in a cold sweat feeling of pre-holiday panic began to set in and had a firm grip on my psyche and my dreams.  Work projects and family obligations have had me on the run for the last few weekends and the increasing trails of dust and mounting piles of clutter at the house were weighing heavy on my mind and I envisioned being featured prominently on the next season of Hoarders.  With so much to do just to return to some sense of domestic normalcy, how in the world would I ever manage extra preparations for the holiday season?  When could I hope to begin the deep cleaning that I associate with this time of the year or begin to bake for family and friends?  And shopping?   I might as well just wave the white flag of surrender and resign myself to the fact that I simply might not have the time to bake everyone’s favorite delicacy this year or hang that extra string of lights that brings a special glow to the living room.

Photo Credit:  NEW YORK DAILY TIMES

Then, this past Sunday, while contemplating my annual dilemma and formulating this season’s shopping strategies, my holiday stress suddenly dissipated.  I was pulling the pre-pre-pre-holiday toy circular from the local paper when I noticed a photo on the front page that struck every Christmas chord in my body and forced me to take stock of what is truly important during the holidays and every day.  That solitary image of total devastation from the Breezy Point neighborhood borough of Queens made me realize that my holiday preparations, no matter how hectic and hurried, would be very different from those of our neighbors in many northeast communities.  Instead of fretting about a clean home or a special glow, they will be searching through rubble in the spot where they placed their tree last December.  They will not be worrying about the number of Christmas cookies they bake but agonizing over how they will continue to feed their families.  These neighbors will not be hanging holiday lights but concentrating on finding warm and safe shelter for their children and explaining to those very same children how Santa will find them this year…if he finds them at all.

This should be a very different holiday season for each and every one of us whether we were in the direct path of Superstorm Sandy or many miles away in communities untouched and unharmed.  At Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, we are committed to aid in the recovery efforts as a handful of our associates will be traveling to affected neighborhoods to volunteer their time and to deliver supplies to those in such incredible need.  Knowing just how generous and caring our amazing guests can be, we are certain that many have already contributed to the massive relief efforts along the eastern seaboard and we humbly ask that everyone reading this consider a donation of time or supplies if they are able.  We have learned of a number of items that are in great demand and we are placing collection receptacles at the Concierge Desk with plans to ship the contents to a New Jersey community near Ocean City.  If you live in our region or are visiting us within the next month, we hope that you will join us in our efforts and bring one or two of the requested items to help us help those whose holidays have forever changed.

Needed Items

• Dish Washing Detergent (small sizes)
• Cleaning Supplies (small sizes)
• Toiletries
• Diapers
• Baby Wash
• New Linens
• Non-Perishable Food (dry milk)
• Juice

Zelma Kassimer
Director of Marketing and Guest Relations Manager

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Community Involvement

The arrival of Spring means baseball season is just around the corner. Opening day for the Mountain Area Baseball League(M.A.B.L.) kicked off this past Saturday with a flurry of games both Saturday and Sunday. The M.A.B.L. consists of 250 kids from ages 4 to 15, playing on five different fields at the Wharton Township Park. Many people volunteer their time and equipment to prepare the fields for this seven week season.

This past Friday afternoon the park was a buzz with volunteers and equipment preparing the fields for opening day, leading the charge to help was Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. The Resort donated two infield rakes and the manpower to assist the M.A.B.L. prepare for opening day. Associates from the Turfgrass Management Department can be seen in the photos operating the infield rakes to smooth and create a professional playing surface for the kids to play on. This is just one of many community projects that Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Associates donate their time to help the local community.

BIG THANK YOU to the associates that assisted. The community and Resort appreciates your services.


*Pictured are Art Frazee and Gerald Hawk.


Brian Anderson
Certified Golf Course Superintendent
Director of Turgrass Management and Grounds
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Answering The Call Of Duty!

I learned a new job this past weekend at Nemacolin. Not since I joined the US Army had I learned a new job.

It was a gorgeous couple of days to do so. Blue, cloudless skies were prevalent and our guests had the Mystic Mountain slopes full, the shooting stands packed and some even stayed inside choosing to be pampered in The Woodlands Spa. It was everything we dream about as leaders. I just wish I was the one being able to snowboard, shoot or spa, but it just wasn't possible.

Nemacolin's rooms were all occupied again and an early group check-in meant that rooms had to be turned by noon. Therefore, we employed our "All Hands On Deck" policy and stepped up to assist our Housekeeping Team.

I have made a lot of beds in my time on this earth having spent ten years in the military. But, my skills were rusty in making tight hospital corners with crisp bedsheets. After a few attempts, I thought, "Well I am not so rusty after all!" Or so I thought. Each time my bed was complete, the supervisor came back and tightened them up... my ego was shot.

She didn't care what or how I did in the military. But thankfully for me, she didn't have a quarter in her hand. Drill Sergeant Dillingham did. He was one of many DI's at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri who would test your proficiency in bed making by bouncing a quarter of our sheets. Back then, that quarter would look like a basketball being dribbled by Lebron. We were outstanding at making a bed in twenty seconds in the US Army.

But that doesn't cut it for Nemacolin. As my supervisor said, "This bed is why people come to Nemacolin!"

"What?" I've been here for 12 years and I never heard that before.

"When our guests come back from their day, this bed will be perfect. It should make all their cares disappear, they need rest," my supervisor explained."And we make sure they get it."

"Ahhh, I see." It really did look inviting after she pulled that Burberry comforter up a little and fluffed the pillows. "Heh, maybe I could sneak a power nap?" I thought, because this is hard work!

No chance. My supervisor made that very clear. She had many things for us to do.

I made the toilet shine. She would make it sparkle. I swept, dusted, and loaded the dishwashers in our townhomes. She complimented me and corrected deficiencies. It was a great system.

And we had a blast. We had managers from all departments helping out their fellow associates. There was singing, teasing, smiles and laughter, all of which are typical when our leaders get together at Nemacolin. Especially when we have important missions to accomplish.

I was able to work with people from Mystic Mountain, IT, Sales, some of our butlers, bellman, valets and our amazing Activities Team.

We did more sweeping scrubbing, polishing and towel folding then I've done in a long time. And I look really good in a maids uniform, maybe better than I did in camo!

Tom Smith
V.P. of Sales
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Lessons on Leadership

I have had the pleasure and privilege of meeting and becoming friends with some extraordinary leaders and visionaries. Recently I was at a CEO Leadership Forum at the Penn State Fayette Campus to enjoy a lecture by Mr. Bill Lambert, President and CEO of MSA and I was able to take away the following lessons on Leadership:

#1 BE EXTRAORDINARY
Have passion for everything you do, go above and beyond.. be committed to the task and the result!

#2 HAVE A VISION
Have a vision for what you want to do and who you want to be.

#3 KEEP LEARNING
Keep moving forward, always be improving and growing, never get lazy or complacent.

#4 BE RESPONSIBLE AND ACCOUNTABLE
Leaders take ownership for everything they do, all decisions… NO EXCUSES!

Ask yourselves these questions - "What lessons have I learned that improve my leadership skills?" and "What leadership motto's do I live by?"

Dennis A. Noonan
Vice President of Sales
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Change... And How You Deal With It.

There is an old cliche in business that change is good. Wouldn’t it be nice of it were just that simple? In business, just as in life….change is inevitable. Whether it
is good or bad, depends on what you do with it.

You can prepare for change all your life, but the moment it happens will still take you by storm. Change is going to cause some sort of fear and doubt because change makes things different and different naturally makes people uneasy.

So, what are you going to do with change when it confronts you and your organization? Jump on it! Be proactive and do everything you can to ease that fear and doubt as soon as you can. Remember, a strong culture runs much deeper than any individual or idea but it will take action to remind everyone of that.

First, ease that fear and doubt caused by change and then take a look around. Pay close attention to what is going on after change occurs. Who is stepping up and thriving on this change? What windows of opportunity have opened up now? And, most importantly, what actions need to take place to take advantage of those opportunities? New leaders and innovation will emerge, but don’t miss them because you are not paying attention.

Chris Plummer
General Manager
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Nemacolin Watches Undercover Boss!

Nemacolin is always looking for more ways to introduce people to our great resort. Sure, we thought about a Super Bowl AD, but just could not come up with the right story board. So we watched the Super Bowl and while some of the commercials were great… it was what came after the big game and advertising that hit us... "UNDERCOVER BOSS!" Now, that is the ticket.

In case you missed it, Waste Management President and C.O.O. Larry O’Donnell went undercover within his Fortune 200 company, posing as a new recruit and worked along side his employees cleaning porta-potties and working the conveyor belt. Check it out Here.

Not expecting much from reality TV... I was blown away. Often, these shows are staged for maximum effect. If "Undercover Boss" was staged, Waste Management has more guts than I imagined. Their sins were right there for the world to see. Would anyone else have the courage to do that with their business? Kudos to Waste Management!

Some of the things Larry found out by visiting various job locations within the company were very shocking. In Syracuse, New York, female trash route driver, Janice, described the affects corporate's stress to maintain productivity had on her position. As a female truck driver, Janice would not stop to take a restroom break because of time restraints, instead she used a can. Yes, a can!

Larry was also fired during one of his jobs. At the Central Landfill in Pompano Beach, Florida, Larry could not pick up trash fast enough. Larry's boss for the day, Walter, told him it is not "rocket science," when Larry asked a few questions about how to pick up trash effectively. It was hilarious television. Unknowingly, Walter let the C.O.O. know he was not "able to cut the mustard." It was the first time Larry was ever fired from a job.

There were a few other interesting segments including Jaclyn, an administrative assistant that was doing the job of seven plus staff members due to budget cuts. Many of the challenges Waste Management faces comes from revenues that have remained flat. One of the basic ways to improve such a company is obviously becoming more productive.

Larry found that his decisions within the company may have gone too far. In the end of the show, after seeing the struggle the front line associates dealt with during their various day-to-day jobs, Larry revealed himself to each associate and made positive changes in each area.

In your business today, have you gone too far? Do you even know about the struggles your associates have? And if so, would you be comfortable letting national television watch?

We are! Sign Nemacolin up. Here we come CBS!


- For more info on Waste Management and the ways they are improving our environment through their Waste to Energy Plan, Click Here.

Tom Smith
Vice President of Sales
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

To Keep Or Drop "Resort"... That Is The Question.

The other morning while I was hopping around various Internet sites gathering the daily news, I came upon this article in the Wall Street Journal. It is a well written article about how some resorts in the country are dropping the word “resort” from their names because it was a road block to landing some conferences. I hope some of you reading it get as mad as I did.

I do not believe that the experiences that last a lifetime between you and your children are made at a “Hotel or Lodge.” Do you really want to reward your best associates for a job well done at a “Conference Facility?” Can you build the relationships with potential or existing clients that lead to improved sales at a “Convention Center?” I don’t believe so.

I do believe that the operators of those properties dropping the word “resort” should have spent a lot more time developing their culture and motivating their people to create spectacular sales and marketing plans and less time convincing their owners and board of directors that dropping the word “resort” will solve problems.

We are going to keep the “Resort” in Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. It is what we are, our associates are very proud of that and all our guests deserve it.

Chris Plummer
General Manager
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Leadership is Trust.

Nemacolin was recently honored to host a luncheon with the Greater Washington Board of Trade with guest speaker Meg Whitman. Meg proved that running a multi billion-dollar corporation is possible on the power of trust. She also found another role for technology beyond saving costs and creating efficiencies. Has your business done this?

We were fortunate to host Meg for a powerful lunch to begin her nationwide tour for her new book. In "The Power of Many," Meg who was the President and CEO of eBay, speaks to these two powerful attributes. She also identifies ten core values that steered her and can steer you to success without ethical compromise. During her decade at the helm of eBay, Meg transformed the tiny start-up into a nearly $8 billion global powerhouse. She revolutionized the way goods are bought and sold online.

The lunch was powerful and candid. She showed us that trust, authenticity and courage are not naive nor are they a luxury. They are essential tools we need in our business. Meg showed us that achievement can and should be teamed with optimism, trust and honesty. Her book offers the insights and motivation we need to propel ourselves to "the next level, or scale," as Meg said, "in business and in life." As I was driving home, I knew that we do a really good job at her key points, but where can we improve?

It made us delve closely into the trust our guests have when they visit Nemacolin. We have one opportunity to make their visit memorable. How can we engender more trust from our guests? It’s a question we will be working very hard to move to ‘the next scale’ on moving forward.

Meg Whitman was the CEO of eBay from 1998 to 2008, growing the company into an unparalleled engine of global e-commerce. Her thirty-year career includes helping many companies, including Stride Rite, Bain & Company, Procter & Gamble, Disney and Hasbro. In 2009, she announced her candidacy for Governor of California.

Tom Smith
Vice President of Sales
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Leadership Is About Caring

It was evident this week when we went to Mystic Mountain to check on Terence and his company. Terence bought Mystic Mountain for the day, which means he has all of the slopes and Wild Pete's Tubing Park exclusively for his regional team of managers.

He cares. It's no wonder his region repeatedly sets new corporate financial goals.

As usual, caring was evident in the Nemacolin team as well. When we walked over to the tubing park, most everyone from Terence's company had left and Mike, Shea and Justin were sending tubes down to the bottom of the hill. "That's odd!" we thought. Why was the Snow Operations team doing that when everyone was finished and heading to the WildSide for some more fun?

Mike walked up and said, "You know we have a lot of guests still playing paintball (the field is located below and a several hundred yards away from our tubing park) and we were thinking they were going to be pretty tired, they have been down there a while now. We are going to go over to the field and surprise them. They can get a free ride back up the hill this way."

Brilliant.

And as we were walking back to the parking lot, here came Ben with Jackie on the back of the snowmobile. Jackie does all of the planning for the group. As she smiled ear to ear she said, "Tom, take our picture! We are having a blast! You guys think of everything."

Actually Jackie, we just smile a lot and take pictures. The amazing team at Nemacolin takes care of the rest.

Tom Smith
Vice President of Sales
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Are You Hugging “Them*” Enough?

No. Not enough. You try, but it isn’t enough. “They*” are doing more with less and “they*” deserve recognition and praise. I know, stuff comes up. Travel gets in the way. Meetings pop up because… you are also doing more with less. Make the time!

Make “them*” aware of your appreciation. You can squeeze in a quick call, text or email. Or make the time to buy “them*” lunch or a drink. Remember, you are nothing without “them.*”

* Insert any of the following for “Them” and “They”: Associates, Family, Wives, Husbands, Kids, Moms, Dads, Pets, Treadmills, Books, Music, Mountains, Rivers, Oceans and anything else that contributes to your success.

Chris Plummer
General Manager
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort