Jodi Kanera, a Brainerd native and Mille Lacs Island Resort manager since 1994, was recognized by Coast to Coast at its annual conference last week on Marco Island, Florida.

The Mille Lacs facility is one of nearly 550 membership campgrounds in the United States and Canada affiliated with the membership organization. Kanera was cited for "outstanding operations achievements and contributions to the Coast to Coast system," an honor bestowed on only one other camping resort manager this year.

Located on an 80-acre island at the south end of Mille Lacs Lake near Wahkon, the resort also received a Five Star rating for the first time in its history, a major factor in Kanera’s selection for the top service award.

Purchased by Whitebirch in 1987 – the privately held corporation also is the parent of Breezy Point Resort & Convention Center and The Pines Resort in Park Rapids – the Milles Lacs campground offers 114 recreational vehicle membership sites, including 24 rental units, as well as 68 seasonal rental and 60 deeded lots with full hookups. The park will add another 50 seasonals before the 1999 summer season.

In keeping with its name, Mille Lacs Island Resort is bounded on all sides by water, including hundreds of feet of undeveloped sandy beaches and a manmade channel that serves two marinas and individual docking stations at several waterfront sites.

"Under Jodi’s leadership, the resort has rapidly developed into a world-class camping park," said Robert Spizzo, Whitebirch owner and chief executive officer. "She is the driving force behind a service and amenities package that has resulted in the doubling of our membership base in just a couple of years.

"I know the kind of job she does when I walk the park with her and see how our guests and owners interact with her," he said. "Praise for her skills and upbeat, positive attitude is the most often heard comment from the people we encounter."

A 1984 graduate of Brainerd High School, Kanera resides in Garrison with her husband Dan and three children. She is active in the Girl Scouts and community and school events. Her children attend public school in Brainerd.

Asked about her award, Kanera credited her staff of 10 full-time and three part-time employees. "You can make a resort property look good, but it all comes down to how you treat your customers," she said. "Good service requires more than one person, it takes a good staff that works well together."

Kanera came well prepared for the job. Prior to joining the Whitebirch facility, she held several management positions at a 45-hole golf resort in Wisconsin, the last three years as assistant general manager.

"She has shown time and again how dedicated she is to the park’s guests, owners and staff," Spizzo said. "As the company owner, I am very proud of her achievements and her selection by Coast to Coast for the top service award."