Twenty-five years of experience in the sales and marketing industry has put the Otesaga Hotel's Robert Faller at the top of his game.

Faller, director of sales and marketing for the historic resort hotel in Cooperstown, was recently named Outstanding Tourism Executive of the Year by the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association.

The recognition is part of the association's Stars of the Industry Awards Program to honor the employees of the hotels, motels and tourism-related businesses in the state that best represent the quality service and spirit of the industry.

Faller and the other winners will be presented with their awards this weekend at a banquet during the association's annual conference this at the Hilton Rye Town in Rye Brook.

"It's the nicest thing that's ever happened to me career-wise and I've been in the business since 1977," said Faller, who came to the Otesaga in 1996 from The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center in Albany.

It was at The Desmond, he said, where he cut his teeth — holding a number of jobs, including maitre d', restaurant manager and restaurant director.

Faller attended Orange County Community College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he received a certificate in management development.

Faller, 44, lives in Fly Creek with his wife, Karen, and sons Timmy, 9, and Kevin, 11.

"My wife fell in love with the area," Faller said of Cooperstown.

Hospitality & Tourism Association officials said Faller's personable attitude and work ethic have earned him the praise of his peers throughout the state.

"It is truly an honor to bestow this recognition upon those people and institutions that drive New York's second largest industry day in and day out," said Daniel Murphy, president of the state Hospitality & Tourism Association.

Faller said he loves working for The Otesaga, which has been undergoing a $34 million restoration.

"I came in very slow and watched for a long time before I made any changes," Faller said, recalling his first days on the job.

The biggest changes he said he has made in his capacity as marketing director were automating the property management system and bringing in clients from Albany who didn't know about Cooperstown.

Douglas Greenberg, a public relations specialist in New York City who represents The Otesaga, said Faller is a master at what he does.

"He's extremely knowledgeable and articulate," Greenberg said. "He's the type of guy you can't ever imagine being upset."

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