Thank you to all our Veterans!
Monday, August 3rd, 2009Thank you to all of our Veterans! Many of you shared the Military Stars Event at the Embassy Suites Hotel on July 30th, 2009 with Starkey International Institute. Ms. Stimson, Mr. Althoff, and myself hope you enjoyed the Employer Panel and stopping by the Starkey booth. Good luck on your civilian workforce transition! If I can be of any assistance, please contact me at your convenience on my cell phone 303-994-7407. I look forward to the opportunity to be of service.
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Mr. Donald Jardine
Chief Operating Officer
Starkey International Institute
djardine@starkeyintl.com
garden at the Mansion is absolutely grand and we look forward to having some small elegant events there. Kristin Parks has joined us as our event organizer. She was sent to us from Metro State College’s Hospitality School for the summer. Mrs. Bullock and I are also working to set up with Metropolitan State College the ability to transfer credits to Metro State after completing Starkey’s Household Management Course.
On May 14-16 Starkey International hosted Restoring the Art 2009. Everyone in attendance felt it was the best they had ever experienced. We at Starkey felt the same. It was a small, intimate group of 35 which provided everyone the feeling that they really got to know each other and were committed to continued conversations on a monthly basis and, of course, seeing each other again at next year’s RTA to be held March 18-20, 2010.
Dr. Lloyd Lewan set our stage and set our minds and hearts to receive his leadership and to understand the role we play as leaders and that there is no service without “leadership.” His message was clear, you must “believe” in who you are and who your employer is or service will not take place. You must believe or no one else will. He is such an awesome speaker, each time he comes and shares his love in mentoring us, I find my soul and remember who I am, a true Service Heart! Thank you Dr. Lewan.
An additional highlight was when Scottie Rasmussen from Palm Beach Florida won the Esperanza holiday raffle. Each attendee decorated and inscribed their name on a mini sombrero which then went into the jar for drawing. The creativity on each of the sombrero’s was wonderful. Scotty won! He is thrilled, as he has had very little time off. He is working for a single Principal who he absolutely loves, but promises to find a long weekend to nurture himself while on the Sea of Cortez, sitting in the Jacuzzi and enjoying the butler service at the Esperanza Resort in Mexico. See Scottie with the great big smile on the left!
The food was amazing, with Mr. Althoff, our Private Chef and Theresa Lay, our Household Manager at the helm aided by the invaluable assistance of recent Graduate, Kathryn Furman. The conference was set at the Starkey Mansion so that we all could enjoy the Mansion and Formal Gardens (we just put in the summer annuals and it was beautiful). The Mansion lended itself perfectly for this mostly alumni group, it was old home week for some, and an entry into the educational world of Starkey for others. Mr. Tom Bruce, to the right, and others are helping themselves to the chocolate mousse that Mr. Althoff concocted….it was yum, yum.
Our living and dining rooms were set up as class rooms. Everyone was greatly engaged with the presenters. The techies came out to share the latest and greatest. AT&T brought the cutting edge on iPhones, Brett Kahl from LynxSystems showed us how he is connecting intelligent home technology….now he is a resource! And of course Brad Webber and Mr. Althoff introduced Starkey’s hot new service management software! We ended the day going off to our special friend Chris Bowlan at Listen-up to see the smart home in action and to meet Mr. Lucas Jones and E Sommelier! On Saturday,the cleaning techies came out from Johnson and Johnson Laboratories and Western Paper Distributing with ionized water for sanitizing…the next thing in managing the cleaning within your home. It was fascinating learning the differences in sanitizing, disinfecting and nuking everything in sight! Mr. Althoff also shared ideas about communication and management tools within the private homes.
Gary Smith, our Director of Placement, shared his perspective on what the new clients are seeking in knowledge and expertise. We went through our Day in the Life process and our Top Three Standards exercise to help those seeking positions how to ascertain what an appropriate position for them might look like.
My personal favorite was The Wealth Legacy Institute who brought to life the role and integrated relationship of the Household Manger and the Family Office. If the Household Manager and the Family Office really knew the complete mission and roles both played and if they worked together, the entire support of the Principal and their Life Style would be greatly enhanced. We also learned what the first, second and third generations were typically doing with their money! Wow…we all learned a great deal and finally saw the gorilla in the room!
We held our traditional formal dinner at the Magnolia Hotel. We were wined and dined and loved every moment of it. Everyone got a Certificate of Continuing Education from our educators, Ms. Bullock and Chef Althoff. Continuing Education is essential in keeping you sharp and up to date with what is important in the profession. Our high-net worth employers have become quite clear about their requirements of our Graduates. They must know what the “Best of the Best” is and be technically on top of their game. If we are earning $60K to $160K per year, we had better know it all. The day of the touchy-feely “I can take care of you” is just not enough. Be well advised. Left is Joyce MacKay receiving her RTA Certificate.
I can’t leave my RTA excitement and appreciation without sharing who the Household Manager of the Year is for 2009! This year’s winner is Patrick Jennings. Those of you who have met Patrick in past years know he is an absolute gem. He has a Masters Degree in Human Resources and has been with the same family for 12 years. He is articulate, kind, most competent and he loves his position. Congratulations to Patrick Jennings….you are well deserved Household Manager of the Year! Email Patrick your congratulations at 
I cannot leave you without publically thanking our entire Starkey Team and especially our Director of Education, Debra Bullock for holding the container of the conference. Behind the scenes she made it all happen and did with her lovely graciousness and of course our culinary leader Mr. Althoff and Ms. Lay. I would also like to thank our ever positive Jessica Stimson in Admissions for getting everyone registered and here; and to our IT man of the hour, Matt Henderson for his graphics and pictures. Finally, a special appreciation to Helga Day for her lovely flowers. Thank you all.
