After 52 years in the hotel biz, Fredericton woman takes home national worker prize
CBC
Nancy Pederson would feel more comfortable making up your bed than flying to Ottawa to accept a national award, but this week she had to do just that.
"I'm still in shock. Things like this don't happen to me," said the 68-year-old executive housekeeper at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Fredericton.
When Pederson first started working there 52 years ago, it was called the Lord Beaverbrook.
"I did not expect to be here this long, but I do not regret it," said Pederson in an interview with Information Morning Fredericton.
Last week, she boarded a plane for the first time and flew to Ottawa to accept the tourism employee of the year award, presented by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
"She's just an incredible leader," said Trevor Morgan, the hotel's general manager who accompanied Pederson to the award ceremony.
Morgan has only been at the Fredericton Crowne Plaza for three years, but said in his 40 years in the hotel business, Pederson stands out.
"Nancy is extremely thorough. At 68 years old, she can still clean as well as any 20-year-old. And I've seen it in action," Morgan said.
He added that she always comes to work with a positive attitude, and most importantly, never asks somebody to do something that she wouldn't do herself.
On Thursday, the hotel staff gathered in the entrance to welcome back their reigning champ as Pederson returned from Ottawa.
A stretch limousine pulled up, and Morgan walked Pederson into the entranceway to be greeted by cheers and smiles from her colleagues.
"I'm not good at speeches, but thanks to everyone, I really appreciate each and everyone of you," Pederson said to those welcoming her return.
The grand entrance and spectacle were not routine for Pederson. Her day usually begins at 6:30 a.m. when she arrives at the hotel to begin preparations to guide her team through the day.
But she wasn't always the team leader.
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