Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/975060
MAY / JUNE 2018 29 club life 100th birthday / team member awards Team Member of the Year Senior Catering Sales Manager Katie Takahashi is a born-and-bred Seattleite. A Ballard native, Katie knows the city better than most people. ose insights, combined with her passion for helping people, make Katie a natural at guiding couples through their dream wedding at the WAC. "Katie has stepped through every open door in her rapid career progression and never lost her kind nature and hospitality-first approach," WAC Food & Beverage Vice President Peter Christian says. Her hard work and member-centric approach earned Katie the 2017 WAC Team Member of the Year award, announced at the annual WAC Team Member Awards Banquet this past March. "Katie has continually grown in her experience since joining the Catering team," Director Catering Sales Rick Cardona says. "She quickly grew in her job knowledge and was able to parlay her previous wedding experience into heading up the entire wedding segment of our department." Katie helps lead couples through every aspect of their big day at the WAC. It's in her blood. In 1979, her parents' wedding reception took place at the Club. "Co-workers can make or break a job," Katie says. "Here, I wouldn't just consider them my co-workers. I consider them my friends." Aer graduating from Ballard High School, Katie attended Seattle Pacific University and, later, San Diego State. She spent three years in Southern California before returning to her roots. Katie started at the WAC in 2014 as a catering sales assistant. "I've learned a ton from Rick and Peter," she says. "It's been fun to work under them and grow." Happy 100th, Mary Duryee By Darrick Meneken Born in 1918 just three blocks from where she lives today, WAC member Mary Webb Duryee turns 100 on June 10. Interviewed at her home in northwest Everett in late March, Mary smiled. "I get to be 100," she said. "Have you ever heard of such a thing?" Mary and her late husband, Daniel, joined the WAC in 1943. ey would oen stay at the Inn at the WAC with their two daughters, Maureen and Mugsy, during shopping trips to Frederick & Nelson in downtown Seattle. In the morning, Maureen and Mugsy would wake up early and take their mom and dad to swim in the WAC pool before breakfast. Mary graduated from Everett High School in 1935 and the University of Washington in 1939. Asked about the secret of her longevity, Mary, half Swedish and half Norwegian, was quick to answer: "I had a mother who insisted I have a little cod liver oil every day." She also pointed to a happy marriage and knowing lots of people. "We did have a lot of good friends," she said. "And I still think good friends are terribly important, I really do." To read more about Mary's life, visit e Snohomish County Women's Legacy Project story that featured her, wac.net/ mary-duryee. Team member of the month F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 8 | Juana Perea-Guzman Senior room attendant An outstanding role model in the housekeeping department, Juana is well respected by her co-workers, who often seek her out for advice and questions. A team member since 2002, Juana helps train new room attendants and is dedicated, enthusiastic and patient. "She is very reliable and her work is near perfect," says Inn at the WAC Director of Operations Kamil Turczanski. In addition to her positive disposition, Juana goes above and beyond her regular duties by assisting with quality control during room inspections. "Juana is an invaluable senior member of our team," Executive Housekeeper Maria Arreygue-Rodriguez says. "She has pride and passion for providing superior services to our guests."