Breezy Point Resort and Convention Center is a jobs engine for area high school and college students on summer break.

The resort, its parent company Whitebirch, Inc., and its affiliated operations reached season-high employment by July 1, with more than 400 area residents on a payroll expected to reach $3.8 million this year. One  in four company employees is a high school or college student.

"There are students working in just about every aspect of our business," says Bob Spizzo, the resort's owner, "and many stay on in part-time positions during the school year.

"As an employer, I enjoy creating jobs for young people who are eager to work, who want to earn money for their educations and provide some of their own financial support as they pursue their degrees," he says. "It's a great feeling knowing that the resort is making a contribution -- and receiving a lot from them in return."

Patronize the resort's two 18-hole golf courses or its Marina or Antlers restaurants and you will encounter young people doing their jobs. They work in the resort's gift shop, they check in guests at the lobby desk and they book hundreds of golf and tennis packages from customers using the resort's toll-free number.

A student may be the one who sets up the meeting rooms or serves the meals during your convention, or could be the pleasant voice on the phone inviting you to consider a timeshare purchase at the new Eagles Nest development.

"One of the best things about working as a student for Breezy Point is the chance to learn from some of the most experienced people in the resort business," Spizzo says. "Our workforce is a very interesting mix of long-term employees and managers assisted by eager-to-learn young people. We even have some employees in their 80s who are supplementing their
retirement income."

A few weeks ago, Spizzo hosted an appreciation dinner and dance at the Convention Center for employees with five or more years of experience. Sixty-two people -- or 25 percent of the 250-plus core group of full-time seasonal and non-seasonal employees -- were recognized that evening for long-term service to the resort and affiliated companies.

The group included Gerald Sundstrom and Alan Schmidt who have been on Breezy Point's payroll for 30-plus years. They are now golf maintenance managers.

"The strength of our organization is the people who work here," Spizzo says. "The fact that we are able to retain the best people year in and year out, assisted by dedicated full-time seasonal employees such as our students, is a key factor in our success.

"And we like to think we've had something to do with the successes that have been earned over a lifetime by the thousands of people from this area who, as young people, held their first jobs at Breezy Point Resort," Spizzo says.