Executive recalls rise from streets to the suites
Pharoah Martin/NNPA Correspondent
Issue date: 10/18/09 Section: Cover
But Penny's life would forever change on the day he turned 18. After going out with his brother and some friends to celebrate his birthday, Thomas decided to go home early because he had to work early the next morning. That would be the last time he would ever see Derrick alive.
"I get home and jumped in bed," Penny lamented. "At two o'clock in the morning, two state police officers knocked on the door. We go to the door and the police officers informed us that my only brother had just died in a car accident."
"It was the lowest point in my life," Penny says. "I could've lost both of my parents and it wouldn't have hurt as much as losing my brother."
Penny was determined to make his brother proud. He went back to work two weeks after Derrick's funeral and went into overdrive with his work ethic. Over the subsequent 18 months, the dishwasher fast tracked his way up the company ladder, going from busting soap suds to restaurant server to van driver, and then to front desk clerk, front desk supervisor, restaurant supervisor and, finally to food and beverage director and assistant general manager of the hotel itself, where he remained until 2008.
"It was the inspiration that came from his passing that allowed for me to work harder, to work smarter, and to be more dedicated to the job."
At 20 years old, Penny became largely responsible for a 151-room hotel where he was being reported to by the same chef who had hired him two years earlier.
Not only was Penny juggling a demanding work load, he was also hitting the books hard at the University of Maryland. Somehow, he made it through.
In May 2008, Penny was tapped by the ownership group that owns the Holiday Inn he worked at for years to lead their downtown Washington Marriott Courtyard hotel. Now, he's looking to own.
"It's closer than what we think," he says excitedly. "After being a general manager, the natural progression would be to be an owner."
According to Penny, Black-owned hotels make up less than one percent of the over 50,000 hotels in the country. There are currently about 490 Black-owned hotels across the nation.
"I get home and jumped in bed," Penny lamented. "At two o'clock in the morning, two state police officers knocked on the door. We go to the door and the police officers informed us that my only brother had just died in a car accident."
"It was the lowest point in my life," Penny says. "I could've lost both of my parents and it wouldn't have hurt as much as losing my brother."
Penny was determined to make his brother proud. He went back to work two weeks after Derrick's funeral and went into overdrive with his work ethic. Over the subsequent 18 months, the dishwasher fast tracked his way up the company ladder, going from busting soap suds to restaurant server to van driver, and then to front desk clerk, front desk supervisor, restaurant supervisor and, finally to food and beverage director and assistant general manager of the hotel itself, where he remained until 2008.
"It was the inspiration that came from his passing that allowed for me to work harder, to work smarter, and to be more dedicated to the job."
At 20 years old, Penny became largely responsible for a 151-room hotel where he was being reported to by the same chef who had hired him two years earlier.
Not only was Penny juggling a demanding work load, he was also hitting the books hard at the University of Maryland. Somehow, he made it through.
In May 2008, Penny was tapped by the ownership group that owns the Holiday Inn he worked at for years to lead their downtown Washington Marriott Courtyard hotel. Now, he's looking to own.
"It's closer than what we think," he says excitedly. "After being a general manager, the natural progression would be to be an owner."
According to Penny, Black-owned hotels make up less than one percent of the over 50,000 hotels in the country. There are currently about 490 Black-owned hotels across the nation.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Cheryl
posted 10/20/09 @ 11:56 AM EST
I thank God for Mr. Penny. I had to write to applaude his accomplishments in corporate America as well as his commitment to the children of our community. (Continued…)
Russell Fig
posted 10/20/09 @ 12:38 PM EST
This is an inspiring story. Mr Penny you are a role model. I had been in the DC area for a few years I am now back in Boston but am ready to return.Mr Pen what you are doing is a noble thing. (Continued…)
kitty3075
kitty
posted 11/04/09 @ 6:26 AM EST
Yeah...His parents demanded that he find a job to pay for his car insurance and so he got a job as a dish washer at a local Holiday Inn. His brother, Derrick Penny, who was 2 years older, was somebody who helped spur Penny's drive to be successful. (Continued…)
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