Nancy Schade, general manager of Quality Inn & Suites, Sequim, won the APEX Award for General Manager 2008, at the Choice Hotels fall regional convention held in Scottsdale, Ariz. The hotel also won the APEX Eco-award for its efforts as a market leader in waste reduction and environmentally aware practices.

"I'm shocked; I didn't think I'd win," said Schade of the award. "I am very blessed to have such a supportive team, this is really about them."

In the written commendation by Choice Hotels, Schade was described as an inspirational leader who commands her team with hands-on leadership and an understanding of what her employees need in order to do an outstanding job.

As general manager prior to breaking ground on the River Road property, Schade has built a team that has made the Quality Inn & Suites one of the best Quality(r) brand properties in the world, currently ranked sixth out of 791. Schade also is involved in the new Holiday Inn Express hotel project on the east end of Sequim.

"In the current economic climate, our guests deserve value for money when they stay with us," said Schade. "We have maintained our pricing structure, provide excellent customer service and very clean rooms. We know what our guests want and try and provide it every time."

Marketing manager Damian Humphreys echoed the sentiments of the team when he said, "Every great team needs a great leader. The success of the hotel is down to Nancy and the decisions she has made. We are all proud that her achievement has been recognized at a national level."