We’re proud to celebrate the incredible progress and positive impact of Ben, who has grown into a standout team member at the Hilton Garden Inn in Blacksburg, VA, where he works as a Housekeeping Assistant.
Ben’s supervisor, Susan Dove, describes him as calm, reliable, and consistently cooperative. “He does what is asked and never complains,” she shared. Even when scheduling changes required Ben to shift his hours, he adapted with ease and remained upbeat. He has not missed a single day of work or called in sick. His positive attitude, flexibility, and willingness to jump into any task with immediate effort make him a valued part of the Hilton team.
Ben’s Employment Specialist added that you couldn’t ask for a more dedicated and respectful individual to support. Though Ben started out shy, he quickly found his rhythm at the hotel. He built friendships with coworkers and developed natural workplace supports that have helped him succeed. His manners, humility, and respect for others stand out—and his top priority remains showing his supervisors and Employment Specialist that he can do the job. He has clearly demonstrated this through his consistent attendance, adaptability, and strong work ethic. When asked about his favorite part of the job, Ben didn’t talk about tasks—he talked about people. He shared that Brittany Cooper, the manager, is “one of the nicest people he has ever met” and that she makes him feel appreciated at work. He appreciates how Susan Dove checks in on him and provides clear guidance, and he credits Carrie at the front desk with helping him navigate transportation needs when his bus schedule changes. He also enjoys working with Becky in laundry and Jozelyn in housekeeping—both of whom make his days fun and uplifting.
Ben’s love for his job shines through in the joy he finds in working with his team. His shyness has faded, replaced by a confident, outgoing “people person” who brings energy and kindness to everyone he meets. As Maya Angelou so beautifully said, “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”
