ImageFIRST Announces Winners of 2nd Annual ServiceSTARS Contest, Celebrating Hospitality Professionals
Stars from Oklahoma and Nevada will be awarded a cash prize for their efforts in enhancing the guest experience.
(King of Prussia, PA)—ImageFIRST® announced the winners of its 2nd Annual ServiceSTARS Contest, honoring hospitality professionals whose dedication inspires excellence across the hospitality industry. Each year, ImageFIRST Service Team members recognize exceptional hospitality professionals who go above and beyond to enhance the guest experience. After receiving an overwhelming number of nomination submissions from the ImageFIRST Service Team, 10 Stars were chosen as finalists. Votes were cast by the public on the contest’s website for the Star who inspired them the most.
Following the nationwide vote, the Stars that received the most votes will be awarded a cash prize, totaling $8,250. *
The 2025 ServiceSTARS Top Four Winners are:
- Dawn Battey, Los Cabos Broken Arrow in Broken Arrow, OK
- Glory Wells, Wanda J’s Next Generation in Tulsa, OK
- Kim Merrell, Red Rock Country Club in Las Vegas, NV
- Arturo Zepeda, Cruise America in Las Vegas, NV
*If preferred, an equivalent donation will be made to a charity of their choice.
Local celebrations will be held for each winner. Details of regional celebrations can be shared with press upon request.
ServiceSTARS was filled with many heartwarming stories that deeply impacted ImageFIRST associates and customers. “Dawn is known for her exceptional professionalism and respect at work,” says Rick Deckard, an ImageFIRST Service Director in Bartlesville, OK. The Oklahoma team’s nominee, Dawn Battey, was voted one of the top four winners. “What truly makes her remarkable is her involvement outside of work, through her dedication and passion for various pet organizations and the community.”
In expressing her extreme gratitude for the recognition, ServiceSTARS winner and General Manager at Los Cabos Broken Arrow, Dawn Battey shared, “ServiceSTARS showed me how much my work in the industry has connected me with so many amazing people. I feel honored that so many voted for me and that many were able to see and hear about the amazing organizations that I volunteer with.”
“Behind every positive guest experience is someone who made the effort to go above and beyond,” says ImageFIRST Oklahoma General Manager Catherine Smith. “Each nominee represents the values that define great service – attentiveness, empathy, and a commitment to excellence. The ServiceSTARS contest brings these moments to the forefront, reminding us of the people who are at the core of great service. On behalf of all ImageFIRST associates, congratulations to this year’s nominees, finalists, and winners.”
Congratulations to the 2025 ServiceSTARS nominees, including this year’s finalists and runners-up:
- John Sethney, Verde in Boulder, CO
- Elizabeth Thibodeau, Point Sebago in Casco, ME
- Philippe Boutinet, Philippe French Bakery in Fort Collins, CO
- Dan Philip, Governor’s Inn in Rochester, NH
- Julie Odle, Golden Nugget in Cripple Creek, CO
- Bhati Patel, Flying Horse Resort & Club in Colorado Springs, CO
ABOUT IMAGEFIRST
Founded in 1967, ImageFIRST® is the largest and fastest-growing national provider of linen rental, laundry and facility services, focusing primarily on the healthcare sector. Acquired by private equity firm Calera Capital in 2018, ImageFIRST serves medical facilities nationwide and hospitality customers in select markets. They offer an array of items such as linens, patient/guest garments, essential staff uniforms and supplies, facility service programs, and more while managing their clients’ linen inventory for cost management. With a customer retention rate of over 97%, ImageFIRST is dedicated to improving staff and patient/guest satisfaction through quality linen and remarkable service. As leaders in infection prevention, they currently own and operate the most HLAC-accredited (81 and counting) and TRSA Food Service certified (8) facilities in the industry. For more information, visit imagefirst.com.
