Helping guests for 45 years

COEUR d'ALENE - Larry Holstein rode his bike to his first day of work as a busboy at the North Shore Resort Convention Center in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

It was March 1, 1968, and Holstein, then a teenager, was sitting at home on a Saturday night when an acquaintance called him and offered him a job. He made the 1.5-mile journey down to the resort on Lake Coeur d'Alene, and went to work.

"I didn't know what I was doing, but I tried to make every trip to and from the kitchen count," Holstein said.

He must have done something right because that was 45 years ago and Holstein is still there.

He has been the assistant general manager of The Coeur d'Alene Resort since it opened in 1986 and was in the same position at the North Shore for 10 years before that.

The Resort's management staff celebrated Holstein's employment anniversary with a cake Thursday when they met for their weekly staff meeting.

"It has been an honor to work with Larry for 28 of his 45 years," said Bill Reagan, The Resort's general manager. "When our repeat guests come in Larry remembers each and every one by name."

Holstein learned much about the hospitality industry firsthand, as he worked his way up from convention center busboy to upper-level management at The Resort.

While in high school, he was a busboy at the old Shore Restaurant. Then Holstein attended North Idaho College and during that time, he worked as a host and cashier.

Holstein next took a six-month leave of absence to attend college in Moscow at the University of Idaho. Holstein then returned to the North Shore and became a waiter at the Cloud 9, where was eventually promoted to assistant manager and then manager.

During that time, he said he got to know Hagadone Hospitality President Jerry Jaeger.

"He had a huge influence on my life. He developed a management training program for me," Holstein said.

After the Hagadone Corporation purchased the North Shore in 1984, Holstein helped plan the development of the infrastructure of what would become The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

Holstein said he's proud of the work they did in a very short time.

In his position, he said he has enjoyed guiding and supporting The Resort's management team and employees, a staff that now swells to 900 in the peak summer months.

"Our people sincerely care about the quality of each guest's stay," Holstein said.

He arrives at work at about 2:30 each afternoon, he said, and is there until at least 11 p.m., sometimes later. He said he usually focuses on the front desk.

"That kind of seems like the nerve center of the hotel," Holstein said.

He's likely served well by one of his reasons for remaining with Hagadone Hospitality for such a long time.

"I think I have a special knack for listening to people's needs and taking care of them," Holstein said. "And I've had the opportunity to meet wonderful people from all over the world, fascinating people."

The Resort's "great ownership" is another plus, he said.

"Our ownership invests a lot of time, effort and money. I think their investments have exceeded $1 million a year since 1986," Holstein said.

He said he's very proud of the quality of the food and service at The Resort and said he's amazed that they are able to maintain that standard while serving hundreds of people at a time.

"Our banquet food is some of the best that you'll find at any resort in the world," Holstein said.

He has no retirement plans, and isn't considering any job changes.

"I'm thinking about making a career out of this," Holstein said, smiling.