2018 Marina Mueller

Marina Mueller has been involved with Human Resources Management for over 25 years. She was employed by USNR/Soderhamn Erikson for 16 years as Human Resource Manager. For the past 12 years, she has been the Director of HR for Embassy Suites in Hot Springs where she serves on the Task Force Team and assists other locations in training their new HR Managers on company policies and procedures, as well as Beta for new projects. She is regarded as one of the top Human Resource Directors at John Q Hammons Hotels & Resorts. Her associates say “If she is given a goal or a task, you can count on HER to not only meet, but exceed the goal or expectation.” She loves teaching and helping others grow in their position.

Marina has been a strong leader in the serving as a volunteer; an active member of SHRM; served the West Central Arkansas SHRM chapter in a variety of roles, including VP of Membership, VP of Programs, Certification Director, President–Elect, President (1996 AND 2010), and has volunteered as a Seminar committee member. Currently, she serves as VP of Membership. She has assisted with AR SHRM HR Conference & Expo multiple times, including Registration Chair and Door Prize Chair.

She sets an amazing example and leads her employees in community service efforts as a volunteer for the annual Chocolate Festival to benefit the Cooperative Christian Ministries & Clinic. She is at the helm of the hotel’s Convoy of Hope participation, the captain for their Relay for Life team, has taken volunteers to The Jackson House to serve meals to the hungry. She serves on the board of Project Search, as well as the Diamond Lakes Federal Credit Union. She is also involved with her church and family.

In addition, more than just her two kids call her Mom; she has opened her home and heart to many foreign exchange high school students over the years. She has led the student exchange program in Garland County for many years coordinating host families for students from a variety of different countries.

Her employees regard her so highly, they nominated her for “Hospitality Manager of the Year”, and she received this recognition by the Arkansas Hospitality Association in 2017. Marina serves her co-workers, her customers, her community, and the HR profession. She is well liked and well respected. She shows compassion, thoughtfulness and preparation in all that she does.