Hospitality – Marquis Emerging Leaders

July 28, 2022

Dr. Jennifer R. Riggs

Title: Executive Director

Company: AccentCare

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Education: Doctor of Philosophy – PhD, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Capella University (2009-2015);

Master’s degree, Psychology, Eastern New Mexico University

Career History: Executive Director, AccentCare, Las Vegas, Nevada (2021-Present);

Regional Executive Director, Genesis, Albuquerque, New Mexico (2014-2021);

Operational Specialist, Brookdale (2010-2015);

Director, Probation Parole, Corrections Department

LinkedIn

AccentCare

Dr. Jennifer R. Riggs, Executive Director at AccentCare, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of health care.

A veteran of the U.S. Army, having served as an E-4 specialist from 1993 to 1998, Dr. Riggs worked in law enforcement as the director of probation parole at a corrections department before switching gears and landing a job at an assisted living facility in 2010. Serving as an operational specialist at Brookdale Senior Living for five years, she became increasingly immersed in the medical and hospice field and quickly developed a love for it, as well as helping other people through health issues. Though she had never previously considered a career in the health care industry, that all changed. She became the regional executive director of Genesis HealthCare in Albuquerque, where she excelled from 2014 to 2021; in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, she proudly operated the first COVID skilled nursing facility in the state. Since 2021, she has served as the executive director of AccentCare—a renowned hospice based in Las Vegas, Nevada that acts as a national leader in personal care for its clients.

In her position, Dr. Riggs takes great pride in being a compassionate and hands-on management professional whose overall success can be attributed to her drive and desire to learn everything. With a background in operations, training, financial management, communications, and compliance within the fields of nursing and senior living facilities, her leadership has greatly contributed to the stellar reputation that AccentCare has maintained. On a given day, her myriad responsibilities include supervising all operations for the hospice; reviewing the financial aspect and handling a lot of business development; meeting with new clientele; working with patients in their homes; ensuring that their services are the best in the area; overseeing the clinical team and the nurses; and culture building within the team. In recognition of her work, she was honored among the 2022 Health Care Headliners by Vegas Inc.

Outside of her primary role, Dr. Riggs teaches sociology and criminal justice at Eastern New Mexico University and is a devoted member of the American Legion. She previously received the accolades of Administrator of the Year by the New Mexico Health Care Association in 2017 and Employee of the Year by the Probation Parole Department in 2006. In preparation for her outstanding career, she obtained a master’s degree in psychology from Eastern New Mexico University and—in the midst of her professional journey—earned a Doctor of Philosophy in industrial and organizational psychology at Capella University in 2015. Within the next five years, Dr. Riggs wants to learn more about the hospice industry and make a difference by educating people about the services they can offer.

February 7, 2022

Azalea M. Lindsey

Title: Super Host

Company: Azalea’s Luxury Resort

Location: Louisiana

Education: Coursework, Louisiana State University; Associates in Broadcasting, Atlanta

Career History: Host, Owner, Azalea’s Luxury Resort (2017-Present); Modeling

Azalea M. Lindsey, Super Host at Azalea’s Luxury Resort, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of hospitality.

Since 2017, Ms. Lindsey has excelled in her role as host and owner of Azalea’s Luxury Resort, through which she goes above and beyond in providing the utmost hospitality to her guests. Among her numerous responsibilities at the resort, she sterilizes and cleans, keeps everything prepared for her guests, and always acts as a reliable resource when it comes to the best local restaurants and tourist spots to go to. Her main priority, and the highlight of her career, has been making people happy and helping her guests whenever and however they may need it.

However, guided by her motto that “the sky is the limit,” Ms. Lindsey’s areas of expertise extend farther than hospitality and guest services. In addition to her primary endeavors, she has found success as an actress, a model, an ordained Evangelist minister, a brand ambassador with her own clothing line, and an author, whose emotional and powerful book, “When It’s All Said and Done I’m Still Standing: A Woman Overcoming Her Abusive Relationship,” was released in 2011. While she completed coursework at Louisiana State University and was on track toward an associate’s degree in broadcasting in Atlanta, she ultimately decided to pursue a career in modeling.

Looking toward the future, Ms. Lindsey hopes to draw from her life experience and faith in order to help “broken, hurt, and abused” young women.

December 16, 2021

Joseph A. Harren

Title: Owner

Company: J&J Custom Meats

Location: Whittemore, Iowa, United States

Education: BSA in Agronomy, University of Minnesota Crookston (2008-2011)

Career History: Owner, J&J Custom Meats, Whittemore, IA, (2019-Present)

Joseph Harren, Owner of J&J Custom Meats, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of meat cutting and preparation.

After moving to Iowa, Mr. Harren opened the doors to J&J Custom Meats in 2019. Specializing in meat cutting and processing, the meat locker and marketplace offers a wide variety of products and services that calls upon his skills and expertise. With a strong connection to his customers, he is proud to always deliver quality meats that range from custom processing of beef, pork and venison. In his work, Mr. Harren feels he can give back to his community, be a mentor to his employees and provide for his growing family.

Originally interested in farming, Mr. Harren earned a BSA in agronomy from the University of Minnesota Crookston in 2011. With there being few opportunities in this area upon his graduation, he spent time with his in-laws learning how to cut and process meat. When he heard their local butcher shop closed down, Mr. Harren found his new calling and launched his own meat shop. In 2020, his hard work was recognized by America’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) with the September Small Business of the Month Award.

Fully invested in growing his business and providing the highest quality of meat and meat services, Mr. Harren is a member of the Iowa chapter of the American Association of Meat Processors and America’s Small Business Development Center. Furthermore, he is dedicated to giving back to his community and donated to the Bishop Garrigan Schools’ Gala 2020 Auction Catalog. Looking toward the future, Mr. Harren endeavors to continue growing his business.

J&J Custom Meats

Facebook

October 12, 2021October 12, 2021

Joseph O. Bushaw

Title: Owner

Company: Joe’s Diner

Location: East Grand Forks, MN

Joe Bushaw, Owner of Joe’s Diner, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of food hospitality.

At just 20 years old, Mr. Bushaw was offered the unique opportunity to open his own restraint. He had spent the year prior being taught and trained in the restaurant industry and knew he could bring the skills and expertise he learned along the way to this venture. After his dream was fully realized by the bank, he opened the doors to Joe’s Diner. Through the success the business has received in the few years it has been open, Mr. Bushaw is currently underway in opening a second location. He has cultivated a brand loyalty with his customers, provided a retro 1950s dining atmosphere that promises a fun experience to go along with delicious American cuisine.

While establishing himself as a businessman in the East Grand Forks, MN area, Mr. Bushaw also has plans to enter the healthcare field. He endeavors to pursue an education in healthcare while growing his businesses so he can help people. Furthermore, he wants to use his platform and brand to become a leader and role model in the LGBTQ+ community. Outside of the daily responsibilities of running a business and opening a second, he enjoys farming and flipping houses.

Joe’s Diner Website

Joe’s Diner on RestaurantJi

Joe’s Diner on Yelp

Visit Grand Forks

July 1, 2021

Sheryl Vandenberg

Title: Owner

Company: Billionaire Experiences

Location: Fort Myers, FL

Career History: Product Specialist, Sam Galloway Ford Inc, 2020-present;

Owner, Billionaire Experiences, 2020-present;

Bartender, Coconut’s Pool Bar, Casa Ybel Resort Sanibel, 2011-2013;

Family Management, Vandenberg Family, 2007-present;

Advertising Commercial Sales, Trader Media, 2005-2009;

Emergency Dispatcher, Lee County, Florida Department of Public Safety, 2004-2006;

Bartender, Banquets, Management, Sundial Beach Resort, Sanibel Island, FL. 1999-2004

Emergency Dispatcher, Broward County Government, 1991-2000

Sheryl Vandenberg, Owner of Billionaire Experiences, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of travel and leisure.

Though the Covid-19 pandemic put a lot of plans on hold, Ms. Vandenberg recognized it as a time to launch her dream business as people would be looking to travel again once restrictions were lifted. Inspired by her own love of travel, she launched Billionaire Experiences in 2020, and brings to it her decades of experience working in managerial roles. She grew up in Ohio working in the auto and salvage business and worked in a number of hospitality and sales roles that have aided in her customer service experience. In addition to her work running her business, she is a product specialist for Sam Galloway Ford Inc.

Ms. Vandenberg attributes her success to communication and being a people person. She enjoys inspiring and promoting other women in business. In 1992, she was recognized by Broward County with a proclamation in her name. Ms. Vandenberg has also remained an active community member, and has served as a former donation coordinator for fundraisers and not-to-profits. She has helped raised money for schools, the Ronald McDonald’s House and the American Heart Association. Looking toward the future, she sees a lot of travel in her own life and building a business that supports her family.

June 4, 2021

Nadia Miller

Title: Owner

Company: Bohemia Cafe and Bakery

Location: Vicksburg, MS

Nadia Miller, Owner of Bohemia Café and Bakery, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of European pastries and customer service.

Opening a business during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic is no simple feat, but Nadia Miller persevered to see her dream through. She owned Bohemia Café and Bakery in 2020 after spending time working in bakeries. She began working alongside her father when she was just 13, and through the years developed an incomparable business acumen. At Bohemia, Ms. Miller serves her community delectable treats of all kinds. From beignets to tiramisu and gyros, everyone is sure to find a bite that fits their palette.

Ms. Miller considers her most notable achievement to be moving to the United States in 1988 with three hundred dollars in her pocket and not speaking any English. She is proud of how far she has come as a business owner. Her business has been recognized with the Best Breakfast Award in 2020 and as the Best Bakery in the Town. Looking toward the future, Ms. Miller endeavors to continue building her business and providing her customers with an array of delicious pastries and meals.

Facebook

May 19, 2021

Jacob Nolan Cantu

Title: Tasting Room/General Manager

Company: West Fork Whiskey Co.

Location: Indianapolis, IN

Education: Salutatorian, Spirits Academy Southern Glazer’s Alcohol Distributors Company;

BS in Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, 2016

Career History: Co-Founder, Lockdown Cocktail Company, 2021-Present;

Tasting Room, General Manager, West Fork Whiskey Company, 2016-Present;

Operations Manager, White Lodging Services, 2018-Present;

General Manager, Rebar Indy LLC, 2017;

Bartender, Thunderdome Restaurant Group, 2015-2017;

Hotels, Fast Food Restaurant, Fine Dining

Jacob Nolan Cantu, Tasting Room/General Manager of West Fork Whiskey Co., has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field.

As an aficionado of both whiskey and science, becoming the Tasting Room/General Manager for West Fork Whiskey Co. has been a dream come true for Mr. Cantu. Upon starting in these roles in2016, he has crafted cocktail mixes using his science background to stabilize longer periods of time to last 30 days;, taught people what whiskey can do with the six different types created as a company, partaken in cocktail programs to create a competitive nature, and recreate other trends in the food and drink industries on the whiskey level. In addition to his work at West Fork Whiskey Co., he became a co-founder of the Lockdown Cocktail Company in 2021. In recognition of his efforts, Yelp recognized West Fork Whiskey as one of the Top 15 Whiskey Bars in the Country in 2020. In addition, he has received accolades such as the Top 12 Bourbon Cocktails in the Country from the United States Bartenders Guild, ranking among the Top Bourbon Cocktails of Indianapolis, and in 2016, as one of the Top Bartenders of Indianapolis from Realest Magazine.

Looking toward the future, Mr. Cantu endeavors to expand West Fork Whiskey Company to a new agrotourism facility and be the largest micro distiller in the country and largest agrotourism in Indiana offering tours, full restaurant, cocktail lounge, event space, production and storage. With all that, he would become director of those facilities and chief operating officer of the department in West Fork Whiskey Company. He also wants to get the community efforts going on a good standpoint with all the commodities, how to keep moving forward, and developing the city. Mr. Cantu will also continue his civic work, such as his missionary work with Haiti Hungry No More, and various volunteer efforts such as Habitat for Humanity and the Northern Lights Sled Dogs.

West Fork Whiskey

Lockdown Cocktails

February 16, 2021

Ashley Cordner

Title: Owner

Company: Donna’s Home Treats

Location: Sidney, NY

Career History: Owner, Donna’s Home Treats;

Front Desk Receptionist, Local Gym

Type of Business: Restaurant

Ashley Cordner, Owner of Donna’s Home Treats, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the fields of food and hospitality.

Mrs. Cordner was inspired by her grandmother to pursue something she would be passionate about. After finding what she was studying in college to no longer fit this description, she harkened back to the wisdom that had been passed down to her. Her grandmother taught her many things, and of those, it was baking and cooking that really stuck out to her as her passion. After hearing about a local café that was up for sale by the owner, Mrs. Cordner took this as a sign and jumped at the opportunity to make it her own.

Located in Unadilla, New York, Mrs. Cordner serves her community with delicious homemade baked goods and freshly brewed coffees and beverages. The business is both a way to honor her grandmother’s legacy and explore her culinary passion. She garnered previous experience running a business as a receptionist for a local gym, and attributes her success to the community being welcoming, very supportive, and being there for each other.

Mrs. Cordner sees a bright future ahead for Donna’s Home Treats. In the coming years, she endeavors to move to a bigger storefront to meet the demands of her happy customers. Continuing to feel inspired by her grandmother, she wants to expand their baked goods menus. In her spare time, Mrs. Cordner enjoys spending time with her family.

Austin McIlroy

Title: Master Brewer/Founder/CEO

Company: Cabin Boys Brewery

Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States

Education: BBA in Personal Marketing, University of Central Oklahoma, 2012;

Master Brewer, Siebel Institute of Technology, Chicago

Career History: Founder, CEO, Brewmaster, Cabin Boys Brewery, 2017-Present;

Head Brewer, Elgin Park Brew Pub, 2016-2017;

Assistant English Teacher, Mito City Board of Education, 2014-2015;

Financial Representative, Northwestern Mutual, 2012-2014

Type of Business: Beverage, Business

Austin McIlroy, Master Brewer, Founder and CEO of Cabin Boys Brewery, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of craft beer and beverages.

For Mr. McIlroy, his decision to go into the craft beer industry is one made from love. In 2013, he realized his wife and him were on different time schedules due to work and he would often have many hours to himself. He got into home brewing with a friend to occupy this time and discovered a new dream in this process. As his talents grew in crafting beer, so did the community around him, and he realized he could bring something to Oklahoma that was missing. His final push to become a master brewer came after an inspiring trip to Japan, and after he enrolled in the Siebel Institute of Technology in Chicago. After working as the Head Brewer for Elgin Park Brew Pub from 2016 to 2017, Mr. McIlroy, along with family and friends, opened the doors to the Cabin Boys Brewery in 2017. Since then, he has been bringing his community together through the shared love and passion for craft beer.

In the years since, Mr. McIleroy has garnered attention for his business and has won several awards and accolades. The career highlight that stands out thus far is winning the Silver Medal for the Belgian Single in the Belgian Specialty category at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. It is the largest and most prestigious competition in the United States for beer and there were only 234 medals awarded out of 9,000 entries. For him to win silver at the festival is an extremely wonderful honor being such a young company. In addition to snagging the silver, his brewery has both won and been nominated as Tulsa’s Best Taproom by the Tulsa World Newspaper since 2017, and has also been voted as the Best Local Brewery by the Reader’s Choice A-List.

In addition to brewing unique flavors of beer and bringing his community together, Mr. McIleroy is committed to giving back. Heavily involved in his community, he donates time and efforts to the Salvation Army, St. Jude’s Hospital, and meals for a homeless shelter in Tulsa. He maintains affiliation with the Brewers Association of America and the Craft Brewers Association of Oklahoma and endeavors to continue growing his brewery and branch out to new locations.

Cabin Boys Brewery