Associate of the Month Program
Every month we ask each of our managers to nominate a team member they observed going above and beyond expectations to provide extraordinary Mackinac Island experiences to our guests. Said nominees are invited to join their nominating managers for a celebratory lunch to show our appreciation for all their hard work.
Associate of the Month of May - Chris Espinoza, Steward
Congrats to our June Associate of the Month winner Chris, Steward. Thank you for making Mission Point such a positive and friendly environment to work and visit!
Congrats to our June Associate of the Month winner Chris, Steward. Thank you for making Mission Point such a positive and friendly environment to work and visit!
2021 End of Season Awards
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As the 2021 season came to and end, the annual Closing party was held where we present many awards for excelling employees throughout the whole season. Pease see the list of Employees of the season for each category for 2021 summer season.
1. Manager of the Season
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Michele Johnson, Retail Manager photographed with Mark Ware, our CEO.
Stephen Waite, Bell Captain photographed with our CEO, Mark Ware.
Joey Swatzell, groundskeeper, photographed with Matt Fehrenbach, Grounds Manager (left) and our CEO Mark Ware (right).
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Merry Christmas In July!
Here are a few holiday photos from our employee "Christmas in July" celebration in 2021.
Happy Holidays from your Mission Point family!
Crochet and Crafting.
We had a few successful sessions of crocheting and all the participants loved learning or getting back to this skill. The goal was to make a scarf or a cowl, and we had some very successful projects. Looking forward to more crafting in 2022!
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Employee Newsletter
Stay in touch with us! We love communicating with all employees, current and past. For up to date MPR happenings, see the newest editions of our employee newsletter.
Mission Point Success Stories
Mission Point has had employees from all over the world - U.S. workers and college interns from almost every state, J-1 summer work & travel students from Macedonia, Serbia, Taiwan, Russia, China, Romania, etc., J-1 interns from South Africa and Moldova, H-2B employees from Jamaica, Serbia and Mexico and many more. Mission Point welcomes all cultures and experience levels and we are so proud of how successful our employees have gotten! Read up on some of our past employees and where their careers have taken them after their time on Mackinac Island at Mission Point.
Erica Kaschalk
Then: Conference Services Intern, Summer 2016
Now: Event Coordinator at Creative Solutions Group in Detroit, MI
Originally from Warren, MI, Erica was in the middle of studying at Michigan State University for a degree in Hospitality Business when an internship opportunity brought her to the shores of Mackinac Island. Erica joined the Conference Services Department in 2016 for the season as a 3-month intern that summer.
The biggest lesson she learned during her time here was to simply stay calm and go with the flow. "Events are always changing and there’s going to be obstacles the day of you didn’t predict so I learned to think of my feet quickly." After graduation, Erica went on to apply that very same lesson to her day to day life as a Banquet Manager at the Cobo Center in Detroit before landing her current position as an Event Coordinator with Creative Solutions Group. Erica remembers her time on the Island fondly, recalling that she misses "the beauty of the island the most. Just biking and hiking around, exploring the island on my days off."
Then: Conference Services Intern, Summer 2016
Now: Event Coordinator at Creative Solutions Group in Detroit, MI
Originally from Warren, MI, Erica was in the middle of studying at Michigan State University for a degree in Hospitality Business when an internship opportunity brought her to the shores of Mackinac Island. Erica joined the Conference Services Department in 2016 for the season as a 3-month intern that summer.
The biggest lesson she learned during her time here was to simply stay calm and go with the flow. "Events are always changing and there’s going to be obstacles the day of you didn’t predict so I learned to think of my feet quickly." After graduation, Erica went on to apply that very same lesson to her day to day life as a Banquet Manager at the Cobo Center in Detroit before landing her current position as an Event Coordinator with Creative Solutions Group. Erica remembers her time on the Island fondly, recalling that she misses "the beauty of the island the most. Just biking and hiking around, exploring the island on my days off."
Jillian Emmit
Then: Front Desk Supervisor, Summer 2014
Human Resources Coordinator, 2015
Human Resources Manager, 2017
Now: Human Resources / Personnel Clerk for the City of Livonia, MI
Jill's time at Mission Point originally began in 2014 when she joined the team as a Front Desk Supervisor for the summer. After a season of fun memories, Jill returned to Michigan State University to finish up her degree in Hospitality Administration / Management. Upon graduation, Jill was offered a full-time position on the Human Resources team where she'd come back to make Mackinac Island her home.
Jill recalls her experience as "beyond rewarding," citing a diverse learning environment as formative in learning to succeed in shared common goals while also celebrating each other's differences. She's further grateful for the "friendships that developed and the memories that have left a significant impact" on her life. From getting groceries on the mainland to the Straits ("a wagon is a girl's best friend") and all the quiet, beautiful moments you learn to appreciate and enjoy in between, she says "Mission Point Resort is an exceptional avenue for learning and growing both on a professional and person level."
Setting the tone for years to come, Jill took these lessons with her as she left the Island for Connecticut where she joined the hotel management company "Waterford Hotel Group." She spent three years working there as a Human Resources Manager for training and culture before relocating back to Michigan where she now works for the City of Livonia. "Spend a season on the Island," Jill recommends. You won't regret it!
Then: Front Desk Supervisor, Summer 2014
Human Resources Coordinator, 2015
Human Resources Manager, 2017
Now: Human Resources / Personnel Clerk for the City of Livonia, MI
Jill's time at Mission Point originally began in 2014 when she joined the team as a Front Desk Supervisor for the summer. After a season of fun memories, Jill returned to Michigan State University to finish up her degree in Hospitality Administration / Management. Upon graduation, Jill was offered a full-time position on the Human Resources team where she'd come back to make Mackinac Island her home.
Jill recalls her experience as "beyond rewarding," citing a diverse learning environment as formative in learning to succeed in shared common goals while also celebrating each other's differences. She's further grateful for the "friendships that developed and the memories that have left a significant impact" on her life. From getting groceries on the mainland to the Straits ("a wagon is a girl's best friend") and all the quiet, beautiful moments you learn to appreciate and enjoy in between, she says "Mission Point Resort is an exceptional avenue for learning and growing both on a professional and person level."
Setting the tone for years to come, Jill took these lessons with her as she left the Island for Connecticut where she joined the hotel management company "Waterford Hotel Group." She spent three years working there as a Human Resources Manager for training and culture before relocating back to Michigan where she now works for the City of Livonia. "Spend a season on the Island," Jill recommends. You won't regret it!
Anika Manojlovic
Then: Hostess, Summer 2015
Restaurant Supervisor, Summer 2016
Now: Instructor & Assistant Coordinator for the Serbian Sommelier Association
"I can literally say that Mission Point changed my life." Now a certified Sommelier in Serbia, Anika Manojlovic's impressive career in hospitality was initially inspired by her pivotal experience working in F&B at Mission Point.
Anika began her time on Mackinac Island as a hostess in the summer of 2015 before returning for another season as one of our Restaurant Supervisors in 2016. Harboring an ever-present interest in wine, both season's experiences working among knowledgeable managers and talented chefs encouraged her to pursue a career in hospitality. Upon returning home, she instantly changed colleges (originally studying for a degree in Quality Management and Standardization at the University of Belgrade) and enrolled in SERSA's Sommelier's course where she began competing in the field at both national and international levels; citing one of her greatest honors as going to the World Sommeliers Competition to help with the organization all while networking and making friends along the way.
Anika received her Bachelor's degree in Restaurant / Food Service Management from Belgrade's College of Hotel Management in 2019 before finding a home working for the Serbian Sommelier Association itself - teaching and spreading her knowledge to other aspiring sommeliers!
Anika recalls her time on Mackinac Island as a vacation in and of itself. "The island is absolutely gorgeous with lots of nature and the big lake! I still miss all the people, from allover the world, I’ve worked with and made friends with, and I still remember things that I have learned there and that crucial moment when I changed my profession. From making cocktails to working on a breakfast buffet, dinners, a fine dining restaurant, organizing the hotel business, and some basics about wine. The whole experience was thrilling to me."
Then: Hostess, Summer 2015
Restaurant Supervisor, Summer 2016
Now: Instructor & Assistant Coordinator for the Serbian Sommelier Association
"I can literally say that Mission Point changed my life." Now a certified Sommelier in Serbia, Anika Manojlovic's impressive career in hospitality was initially inspired by her pivotal experience working in F&B at Mission Point.
Anika began her time on Mackinac Island as a hostess in the summer of 2015 before returning for another season as one of our Restaurant Supervisors in 2016. Harboring an ever-present interest in wine, both season's experiences working among knowledgeable managers and talented chefs encouraged her to pursue a career in hospitality. Upon returning home, she instantly changed colleges (originally studying for a degree in Quality Management and Standardization at the University of Belgrade) and enrolled in SERSA's Sommelier's course where she began competing in the field at both national and international levels; citing one of her greatest honors as going to the World Sommeliers Competition to help with the organization all while networking and making friends along the way.
Anika received her Bachelor's degree in Restaurant / Food Service Management from Belgrade's College of Hotel Management in 2019 before finding a home working for the Serbian Sommelier Association itself - teaching and spreading her knowledge to other aspiring sommeliers!
Anika recalls her time on Mackinac Island as a vacation in and of itself. "The island is absolutely gorgeous with lots of nature and the big lake! I still miss all the people, from allover the world, I’ve worked with and made friends with, and I still remember things that I have learned there and that crucial moment when I changed my profession. From making cocktails to working on a breakfast buffet, dinners, a fine dining restaurant, organizing the hotel business, and some basics about wine. The whole experience was thrilling to me."
Employee Winter Updates
After the season is over, many of our domestic and International employees find employment at one of our partner resorts all across the United States. We always love hearing from our employee where ever they are, so here are some updates of how their winter is going.
Vanessa Grey, Jamaica
2021, Food and Beverage
Winter Partner: BallenIsle Country Club in Jupiter, FL.
"There's no place like home (Mission Point), " writes Vanessa from her beautiful winter home in Florida. In her update Vanessa shares that she finds her time as a server rewarding. "The members love me," she writes as she describes receiving positive guest reviews on a daily basis. "Looking forward to being back home with you soon!"
2021, Food and Beverage
Winter Partner: BallenIsle Country Club in Jupiter, FL.
"There's no place like home (Mission Point), " writes Vanessa from her beautiful winter home in Florida. In her update Vanessa shares that she finds her time as a server rewarding. "The members love me," she writes as she describes receiving positive guest reviews on a daily basis. "Looking forward to being back home with you soon!"
