An air of camaraderie and delight pervaded the Sports Pavilion at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, on Tuesday afternoon, February 5.
The surprise event was a celebration, by Executive and Staff members, marking a total of 20 years of service given by General Manager, Mr. José Adamas, across various properties in the global Four Seasons Brand. It was a planned tribute, unknown to him, by the Department of People and Culture – which has responsibility for some 500 employees – and with the involvement of the Executive Management Team.
There was yet another surprise for Mr. Adames as he stepped into the crowded hillside Sports Pavilion overlooking most of the northern area of the property. He was swept up into the arms of his family he had not seen for sometime – his mother, Angela; sister, Karina; and look-a-like brothers, George and Enrique, all except his father who was unable to be present. The crescendo of cheering voices, shouting “Happy Anniversary!” was remarkable with a fanfare of music by Omalie and his musicians. The salutation referred both to the General Manager’s upcoming one year in Anguilla, as well as his overall 20 years with Four Seasons.
Resort Manager, Mr. Billy Cueto, and Director of People and Culture, Ms. Dorla Hodge, who addressed the gathering, were delighted with the large turnout to greet and congratulate Mr. Adamas. The celebration for him was further marked by the presence of Four Seasons’ Regional Vice President and General Manager, Mr. Thierry Kennel.
“To celebrate Jose’ whose 20th Anniversary is going to be on March 8th, we have invited Thierry Kennel, our Regional Vice President, to come and celebrate with us,” Mr. Cueto stated in his introductory remarks.
The visiting Mr. Kennel told Mr. Adames: “We are doing this celebration a little bit early, a couple of weeks before March 8th, but you worked for Four Seasons and all of us since 1999. It was very sweet of your mom and your siblings to join you for this event.”
He took the opportunity to review Mr. Adames’ life and work, detailing his varied contributions to his family’s business, his own personal development and, eventually, his work with Four Seasons in various parts of the United States starting, on March 8, 1999, as Assistant Front Desk Manager at the Pierre Hotel in New York; and over the years as Director of Rooms in Beverley Hills and Dallas, Texas; Hotel Manager in Austin, Texas; Resort Manager in Punta Mita, General Manager in Mexico City, followed by his appointment to Anguilla as General Manager.
Mr. Kennel added: “I am very proud of what Jose’ has done. Every time he moved, and everything about him, is absolutely wonderful – his ability to connect with people and guests; his style and persona, charm, and an amazing career. Congratulations. What you have achieved in your personal life, with your family, and with Four Seasons professionally, is something to be very proud of. You are a young man, you are going to be 47 this year, but you have a long way to go and a whole life ahead of you. I can only wish you the best of success in all you do, Jose’, and again we are just very proud of you.”
Meanwhile, Jorge, one of Mr. Adamas’ brothers, speaking on behalf of the family, commented: “It is an honour, and it is absolutely incredible to call him a brother. He is everything that I wanted to be, like him, but I can’t – so I can only emulate what he is: his greatness, his support as an older brother and his mentorship. It is nothing but love from all of us.”
Mr. Adamas, who was the recipient of a number of presentations, including a toast, expressed gratitude for the celebration in his honour. Red-eyed from the emotion of the event, he said in part: “I don’t have words to describe what you guys have done for me today. To have you and my family together is a dream come true. I thank you for being here. I thought this was for Thierry [the visiting Regional Vice President]. I came here for him, but you guys did an amazing job of surprising me. Thank you so much.
“I have had an amazing year, and I look forward to more years to come in Anguilla. You guys are unbelievable. Thanks to HR. I am sure you put a lot of work into this. Thanks also to the Food & Beverage Department. And Thierry, thanks for coming to Anguilla and putting this together. With five years working together, you have been nothing but support. I really appreciate it. This is going to be an amazing few days to be with my family.”
