Employer of the Year

Date: March 6, 2020

QUALITY INN & SUITES AT OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK MANAGER ACCEPTS GOVERNOR’S EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Left to Right: Janet Bruckshen- Awards Chair, Pat Bauccio- Vice Chair, Kevin Merrigan-Quality Inn Maintenance Manager, Nancy Merrigan- Quality Inn General Manager, Governor Jay Inslee, Bret Wirta- Quality Inn Owner


(Sequim, WA)  Nancy Merrigan, General Manager of the Quality Inn, Sequim, was honored by the Washington’s Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues & Employment (GCDE) on February 19th, 2020. Ms. Merrigan received the Employer of the Year award for her hotel’s diversity and exceptional work environment. Ms. Merrigan was congratulated personally by Governor Jay Inslee at a special ceremony in the Governor’s office in Olympia. Ms. Merrigan has developed a long-term partnership with Morningside, a Port Angeles agency that assists adults with disabilities to succeed at their job in the community. One third of the Quality Inn, Sequim’s staff are workers with disabilities.

Quality Inn, Sequim Owner, Bret Wirta, said, “Nancy is committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining workers with disabilities. Nancy has created an inclusive work environment, which her employees say feels like a family.”

Governor Inslee thanked Ms. Merrigan for her commitment to workers with disabilities and said her recognition was well-deserved.

When asked about the meeting, Ms. Merrigan said, “It was an honor receiving this award from Governor Inslee. I feel so grateful that he recognized our hardworking staff. I enjoyed his story he shared about staying at our hotel a few years ago for his wedding anniversary. I told him he needs to come back and visit us again!”