In early July, Bear Mountain State Park received as much as 9 inches of rain in less than 6 hours during a heavy rainstorm, an unprecedented amount that overwhelmed the local infrastructure. As a result of the storms, Bear Mountain State Park was closed down and, subsequently, all of Bear Mountain Inn’s operations. (Read full press release)

Levon Bedrosian, the brand-new General Manager at Bear Mountain Inn, was hired just a few months before the storm hit. It became his first challenge in his new position.

Staying attentive to incoming communications and inquiries and disseminating information among leadership as well as clients is paramount in a crisis situation. Similar to our properties in Florida, which regularly face Hurricane challenges, Levon and his team did an outstanding job not only responding to the storm but also working to return the Inn to full operations.

Who is Levon Bedrosian?

Levon Bedrosian grew up near Watkins Glen, NY, where Guest Services also operates. He started his career in 1984 at Boston University in an entry-level role and quickly moved up to supervisory positions, where he developed his skills in food service management. Over the years, he took on roles in different companies, including Viacom and ABC/Disney, and also worked at Morgan Stanley in the financial sector. Later, he managed several departments of a Municipality as the Special Districts Facility Administrator, overseeing operations and several large construction projects. Eventually, his strong background in hospitality led him back to the industry, securing him the role at Bear Mountain Inn.

Team Highlights

“I am fortunate to have a great core management team along with many wonderful staff members. However, there are three people who have gone beyond their regular duties to support my new role here,” says Levon.

“Sydney Mazzei, the Property Controller, has been a big support in so many ways. She has been supportive with providing a clear picture of the complexity of each of the departments/programs, the hurdles that have been overcome, and challenges that may arise in this diverse operation we have.”

“William VanDunk, the Front Desk Manager, has been a key person of historical knowledge and has been helpful with my learning of the past and introduced me to many Park managers, staff, and key personnel.”

“Margarito Gatica, the Concessions Manager, has one of the largest programs here at Bear Mountain Inn. He oversees Hikers Café, Stand 10 Concessions, Paddle Boat Rentals, Carousel operations, and a remote location at Lake Welch just over 10 miles away. He stays calm in many difficult situations. Always open to change and making improvements.”

Thank you to the entire Bear Mountain Inn team for your hard work!

In late August, Hurricane Idalia wreaked havoc as it moved through Florida, bringing severe damages, including flooding, roof detachments, and power outages. Government officials reported that the hurricane could have had a much more devastating impact if it had hit a more populated area. Fortunately, many of Guest Servics’ operated properties were unaffected and out of the Category 3 Hurricane’s path.

Matt Smith, District Manager, Florida State Park Operations, met with the Insider team to give an update on the effect of the Hurricane.

What Properties Were Most Affected?

As Hurricane Idalia approached, the Guest Services teams at various properties initiated the hurricane preparedness plans, a strategy meticulously laid out to safeguard both infrastructure and the community. Teams worked to ensure vehicles were adequately fueled, generators were in optimal condition, and inventory of essential resources was readied. (Reach out to your managers to get the latest information about hurricane readiness and other natural disaster preparedness plans.)

The properties in the Crystal River and Homosassa areas were most notably impacted, with the offices at the Crystal River Park accumulating sediment deposits and the Homosassa area experiencing significant flooding. Despite the storm’s challenges, the team responded quickly and efficiently, promptly initiating clean-up and restoration operations post-hurricane. The unity of the teams was instrumental in allowing Crystal River to resume operations in a timely manner and ensuring the well-being and continuity of the community and its services.

How Do We Prepare For Hurricanes?

“Staying prepared and maintaining constant communication is key to staying ahead in unexpected situations like the recent hurricane, which took an unusual route from the Caribbean, surprising many of us who typically monitor the eastern paths. Keeping communication open and keeping everyone up-to-date is really the key to staying ahead of the game,” says Matt.

Thank you to all team members who play a critical role in hurricane response!

After another successful year for our Jazz in the Garden season, we’d like to highlight some of the changes and successes experienced in 2023 and extend our appreciation to the Sculpture Garden team. Thank you for another great summer!

What is the Jazz in the Garden Event?

The National Gallery of Art hosts an annual concert series named “Jazz in the Garden” that brings a blend of musical genres to the Guest Services-operated Sculpture Garden every Friday for a few summer months (this year, it spanned from May 19 through August 4). The 2023 series encompassed styles ranging from blues to Latin fusion, zydeco to bluegrass, and everything in between.

Melanie Jones, District Manager, discusses the crowd-pleasing primary product we offer: sangria. “We feature two sangria stations that are a massive hit and have been for years. Parviz, General Manager at Sculpture Garden, is the ‘sangria genius’ and oversees the treat’s production. The process starts on Tuesday when the sangria starts to be brewed in time for the Friday event date each week. Their process has been refined over the years and now includes contingency plans for canceled dates as well as backup inventory for events with especially thirsty attendees.”

What Was Different This Year?

While admission remains free, the National Gallery shifted to a lottery-based ticketing system that was successfully implemented to manage the typically overwhelming crowds. Guests could apply for up to four passes per concert, with each event’s lottery opening the preceding Monday. A limited number of passes were also available at the entrance gates on the day of each show, offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

“This was also the first year an ID-checking machine was introduced that ensured both the safety of our patrons and compliance with alcohol regulations,” says Melanie Jones, District Manager.

Thank you, Sculpture Garden Team!

What remained the same this year, however, was the Sculpture Garden team members and managers who did an outstanding job stepping up to challenges like weather complications and capacity restrictions. “The staff is amazing. Many of our team members have worked at Jazz in the Garden for 15 years. They know what to do, they know how to do it, and they do an excellent job,” says Melanie.

What’s Next?

As we enter the fall and winter seasons, Sculpture Garden will introduce a fall menu, open its famous ice skating rink, and expand its ice skating school’s services to include additional days and 1-on-1 sessions. An opening reception welcoming influencers will be hosted the week before Thanksgiving to welcome the ice skating season. Stay tuned for more updates from this incredible Washington, DC location!