Grand Rapids Hotel Employee Winds Down 54 Year Career
GRAND RAPIDS, MI, August 13, 2007. Ike was in the White House, car seatbelts were introduced, and Sir Edmund Hillary reached the top of Mt. Everest.
And Ollie Marions began work at the Pantlind Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids.
As a member of the hotel's buildings and grounds department, Marions has seen and encountered much change throughout downtown during the 54 years in which he cleaned sidewalks and windows, and removed snow. The Pantlind Hotel became the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in 1981 and the hotel's 29-story glass tower two years later altered the skyline. Downtown was transformed from a quiet place into today's bustling hub of economic and social activity.
Marions' window to downtown change as a member of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel staff officially came to an end on July 12. On Friday, Aug. 17, employees, family and friends will honor him with a retirement party from 3 until 5 p.m., inside the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Ballroom.
"Ollie Marions has been around so long, we're not quite sure of his actual age," says Larry White, assistant director of engineering at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and Marions' supervisor. "But whether Marions is 80 or 90, he has seen and done so much over the decades here at the hotel.
"I'm a 20-year veteran of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, and to me Marions has shown more dedication and passion toward his job than anyone I've ever known. He rarely missed work. You don't find such dedication in today's workers. It's been an honor to supervise and work with him."
"Ollie Marions is moving onto the next chapter of his life," says Rick Winn, general manager of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. "I'm sure his experiences could easily fill a book. We're thrilled to recognize his dedication to Amway Hotel Corp., and contribute a happy ending to his career."
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
