Reynolds Lake Oconee is proud to announce the recipients of its Second Quarter Employee Awards for 2016. Michael Raymond, Head Golf Professional at The National has been named Leader of the Quarter while both Freddy Ramirez, Lead Bartender at The National Tavern, and Kristen MacNeill, DC/Shop Coordinator, have been named Employees of the Quarter.
Michael Raymond joined Reynolds in May of 2007 after graduating from Ferris State University. He started as the Assistant Golf Professional at The Landing, then moved up into the position of Lead Assistant Golf Professional at The National in 2011, and then promoted to his current position of Head Golf Professional at The National.
“I have been blessed from a young age that I knew golf would be my career,” says Raymond. “Many years later the music still plays and I still thoroughly enjoy coming to work daily. I feel just as energized and carry just as much passion as I did when I started my professional career nearly 10 years ago.”
In his spare time, Raymond enjoys spending time with his wife, Mandee, and two children, Stella and Everett. He also a member of the PGA of America, Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks and is a wood craftsman and likes building unique items from broken down pallets and reclaimed wood.
With 32 years of bartending experience including seven years at The Ritz-Carlton and six years at the Four Season, Freddy Ramirez came to Reynolds in March of 2015.
“Reynolds has given me the opportunity to grow, develop, and put my skills and abilities to good use,” says Ramirez. “I have the ability to constantly extend my creativity with my cocktails and to be able to share my life experiences with my clientele. The guests and members are always warm, friendly, and welcoming. I like to consider them all friends and extended family.”
When he is not working, Ramirez enjoys cycling, weightlifting, rock climbing, jiu jitsu, and cooking and spending time with his wife, Jane. Ramirez is part of the Greenpeace, working toward a peaceful environment with clean oceans and green forests. He is also currently studying for his Wine Sommelier Level II exam and is a CDL Certified Driver.
Prior to joining Reynolds in 2007, Kristen MacNeill worked in Orlando in golf operations at Walt Disney World, where she met her husband, Ryan. Kristen has worked at the Creek Club until last year, when she was promoted to Golf Shop Coordinator. In this role, she works alongside the Director of Retail buying merchandise for the golf shops.
“In my job at Reynolds, it is tough to find merchandise that everyone will like,” says MacNeill. “But I enjoy the challenge of working with each of our vendors to find the right items and then being able to work with the staff at each golf shop to present the merchandise in a manner that sparks the interest of the members and guests. Being able to work at a place like this, where employees and members are like family, is truly a blessing.”
In her spare time, MacNeill loves spending time with her husband, Ryan, and two boys, Landon (6) and Hudson (21 months) and their dog, Bayou. She also enjoys refinishing and repurposing furniture and decorating.
