Associate Spotlight: Angela Goodall

This month’s Associate Spotlight comes from the Fairfield Inn Louisville South. Angela Goodall is the Front Office Manager of the Fairfield Inn Louisville South and has been with Musselman since 2007! Get to know another one of Musselman’s wonderful associates!

Tell us a little about yourself… Where are you from? What do you like to do outside work? How did you end up in the Hospitality industry? When did you join the Fairfield Inn Louisville South team?

I am originally from a town about 75 miles south of here, called Campbellsville. I have lived in Indiana and Louisville and back to Campbellsville. I have three sons and one daughter. My husband passed away Oct. 2012, from cancer (that is such a horrible disease). I love to go camping and fishing. I also love gardening. I pretty much love anything to do with outdoors. I also love warm weather, so you can do all that stuff. I moved from Campbellsville to Shepherdsville in 2006 and that’s where I remain today. I needed a job and I applied at Fairfield Inn Louisville South for Night Auditor and was hired on the spot.

What was your background (School and/or Work) or experience before joining Musselman Hotels at the Fairfield Inn Louisville South?

I graduated from Silver Creek High School. My first job was at Kroger when I was 16. I ended up working at the customer service desk there. I worked there for 4 years and then I went to work in a nursing home for a few years and then a hospital. When I moved back to Campbellsville, I worked at Amazon for 4 years and Walmart for 2 years. Then I moved to Shepherdsville and have been here for 10 years now.

Did you know anything about hotels and the hospitality industry before starting with us?

I have pretty much always been in the customer service business, but never the hospitality industry before starting here. When I was about 12 years old I told my mom I wanted to own my own hotel and decorate it myself. It’s kind of ironic that I did end up working in one, even if it’s not mine and I didn’t decorate it.

So what was the learning curve like and how is Musselman Hotels different from other places and/or hotels you have worked in?

I had a great trainer. I did train for about 2 weeks, so I wasn’t just thrown into a job I knew nothing about. I do not dread going to work. I love my job and the people I work with. If I didn’t I would not have been here as long as I have. This company really cares about their employees and wants them to succeed. We are all like a big extended family. It is like no other place I have ever worked before.

Have you received any awards/recognition since joining the company? If so what did that mean for you?

I have received Employee of the Quarter a few times and most recently Employee of the Year for our property. Each one is a great achievement. I work really hard and try to learn more every day and want to help whenever I can. I am glad that it is recognized by someone. I am also the wellness champion and there are a lot of benefits for being that too. I just wish I could get more people at my property involved with the wellness program. Maybe I can get some more to come around this year.

What types of support do you receive from management and other team members?

We all work together to get thing done. We take the load off of each other to help out if at all possible. I always like to learn new things, so if I can learn it to help out in some way, I will do it. Everyone is supportive. I have had the privilege to learn how to do so many new things. Chris has taught me a lot. I have showed him a few things also. That’s how it works, we all share our knowledge.

How have your duties at the Fairfield Inn Louisville South changed over time?

Well, I started off here as a Night Auditor. I was in that position for a little over 7 years. When my husband passed away, I needed to go to day shift, because of my kids. I was then promoted to Front Office Manager, which I have held for almost 3 years now.

What is the most interesting challenge you have been faced with at the Fairfield Inn Louisville South and how did you handle it?

My biggest challenge is when we were going through the remodel and I worked 3rd shift and our front office was in our meeting room. I was so scared in there at night time. I had no way of knowing who or when someone was coming through the door and there were dark halls and plastic hanging all around. I did a whole lot of walking the hallway around the meeting room area, until the remodel was finished. I made it through just fine, but it was really spooking.

What is your favorite thing about your position?

I like that I get to meet new people every day and also I have my regulars, that I know on first name basis and know what rooms they like and don’t like. They know that I will take care of them, if at all possible. I also like that I learn new things every day. If I don’t know how to do something, you can bet I will figure it out.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?

I love spending time with my family and having get togethers. We have cookouts and play corn hole and sing karaoke. It is a lot of fun. I also love taking trips to Nashville.

If you had to choose one motto and/or saying you live by, what would it be?

“Live each day to its fullest, you never know when it may be your last.”

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I would like to see myself still with Musselman hotels. My goal is to be doing something at the corporate office by then.