LEXINGTON, KY - Lexington Hospitality Awards that took place last Thursday, May 7, honored front-line staff and volunteers in the tourism industry who have demonstrated exceptional service, as well as Hometown Hosts who brought conventions and events to Lexington.

“Every day, these unsung heroes of hospitality go the extra mile for our visitors and our community,” said Mary Quinn Ramer, president of VisitLEX. “They welcome us and help us make memories. Without them, Fayette County’s $1.7 billion tourism industry would not be possible.”

This year’s 24 recipients are:

  • Shelby Baker, OBC Kitchen 

  • Tom Musgrave, Keeneland 

  • Cody Risner, Woodford Reserve Distillery 

  • Adriana Rosales, Candlewood Suites Medical District 

  • Riley Lowe, Drake’s Leestown Road 

  • Phil Boaz, Embassy Suites at Lexington Green 

  • Molly Welsch, Bella Café & Grille Chevy Chase 

  • Michy Pendley, Castle & Key Distillery 

  • Brian Maninger, Homewood Suites by Fayette Mall 

  • Jill Rush, Taylor Made Sales 

  • Sara Renfrow, Chevy Chase Inn 

  • Amy Cole, TownePlace Suites Georgetown 

  • Katherine Lindeman, Lexington Parks & Recreation 

  • John Lann, Coles 735 Main 

  • Delores “Lolo” Toral, Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant 

  • Eunice Shearer, Staybridge Suites Lexington 

  • Shane Kimbrell, Red Mile, Inc 

  • Jesse Mullins, TownePlace Suites Richmond 

  • Summer Brickeen, Drake’s Hamburg 

  • Darrell Mason, Woodford Reserve Distillery 

  • Austin Wolfinbarger, Granddam @ The Manchester Hotel 

  • Nicole Nunn, Lexington City Center Residence Inn 

  • Dan Patton, Embassy Suites UK Coldstream 

In addition, 26 hometown hosts were recognized for helping VisitLEX recruit meetings, conventions, and events to Lexington:

Mindy Ross 

Danielle Story 

University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center 

CABTRAC 2026 Cancer Biology Annual Retreat 

 

David Carpenter 

Japan/America Society of Kentucky 

National Association of Japan/America Societies Conference 

 

Jeremy Kisling 

Lexington Children's Theatre 

Southeastern Theatre Conference 2027 Annual Convention 

 

Doo-Young Kim 

University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences-Department of Chemistry 

Tri-State Catalysis Society 2025 Fall Meeting 

 

Ellie Goodman Sinkhorn 

University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy 

University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy - 2025 Fall Reunion 

 

Stephanie Arnold 

YMCA of Central Kentucky 

YMCA 2025 Southern Regional Pickleball Tournament 

 

Davey McCann 

Kentucky State Police Forensic Lab 

Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists Annual 2027 Fall Conference 

 

Bryan Brooks 

Lexington Sporting Club 

2025 National Academy League Mid-America Festival 

 

Doug Tattershall 

Lexington Public Library 

Kentucky History and Genealogy Conference 2026 

 

Lisa Smith 

Alltech, INC 

Alltech Global Conference 2027 

 

Ann Stowe 

University of Kentucky College of Medicine 

UK College of Medicine - ODC-Stroke Workshop 2026 

 

David Patrick 

Porsche 356 Registry 

356 East Coast Registry 

 

Trevin Stevens 

The Council of State Governments 

The Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission EXCOM Spring Retreat 

 

Victoria Owens 

University of Kentucky Student Success 

Runan Evans  

Kentucky Community & Technical College System 

Michael Birchett 

Bluegrass Community & Technical College  

Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Admin Annual 2026 Workshop 

 

Scottie Ellis 

Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development 

State International Development Organizations 2026 Best Practices  

 

Christina Briggs 

Becca Gregory 

University of Kentucky HealthCare 

Kentucky Children's Hospital 2025 Affiliate Network Conference 

 

Jason Dovel 

University of Kentucky College of Fine Arts – School of Music 

2027 International Trumpet Guild Annual Conference 

 

Leah Thomas 

University of Kentucky Martin School of Public Policy & Administration 

Association for Budgeting and Financial Management Annual Conference 

 

Callie Wallin  

Transylvania University Student Life 

Brendan Miller 

University of Kentucky Student Success 

2028 Southeastern Association of Housing Officers Annual Conference 

 

Brian Gupton 

Dataseam 

Dataseam Registered Apprenticeship Mentor Development Meeting 

 

Jason Hall  

Catholic Conference of Kentucky 

National Assoc of State Catholic Conference Directors Summer Meeting 2027