Slam Dunk: Glenwood Hot Springs Resort Adds Familiar Face to Roster as New Director of Operations

Glenwood Springs, Colo. (Oct 1. 2018)—After a career spanning 34 years as a store manager for City Market—22 of them serving the Glenwood Springs store—long-time local and former basketball star Kevin Flohr saw an opening to make a new career move with Glenwood Hot Springs Resort as the new Director of Operations.

Glenwood Hot Springs Resort COO and Vice President John Bosco, after learning that Flohr was wrapping up a successful 30-plus year management career with City Market, stated, “This couldn’t have been better timing. Anybody who has shopped at City Market in Glenwood Springs over the many years Kevin was at the helm knows how consistently clean and friendly the experience is. Not only is he dedicated to our community, his leadership skills are a natural fit with our resort goals and objectives.”

“One of the things I’m most looking forward to is working for an organization that is run by local families with people I’ve known for years. How could I say no to that?” Flohr said. Placing a high value on people and teamwork has gotten Flohr far in life—in the workplace and on the court. It’s also a trait that Glenwood Hot Springs is betting on to facilitate a harmonious work environment for employees and management, as well as promote outstanding guest service for patrons. Flohr’s people-focused communication and leadership styles are precisely the qualities that make him a natural fit for a resort whose mission is: to make people feel better.

Working as part of a close-knit team is second nature for Flohr, who grew up doing odd jobs for his family-owned lodging establishments both in Denver and later Glenwood Springs, including the Sage Hen, the Terra Vista and the Cedar Lodge. Flohr’s parents instilled a solid work ethic from a tender age. “I remember running the old switchboard—connecting calls to guest rooms—when I was about five years old,” said Flohr. When the family relocated to Glenwood Springs, Flohr and his siblings helped out as needed—cleaning rooms before school, doing property maintenance afterwards. But the work didn’t stop with his parent’s properties. The Flohr children joined forces with other family-owned motels. “There was an association of families that helped each other out with work that needed to be done,” Flohr said. “I think I painted almost every hotel room in this town!”

The theme of teamwork continued in Flohr’s high school years during which he played basketball for Glenwood Springs High School. While he is considered one of Glenwood’s all-time star players, he is reluctant to take credit for the teams’ success. “I was really fortunate to be part of a group of people who came together by chance for a once in a lifetime experience. We had amazing players and a great leadership in Coach Chavez.” After an undefeated season, Flohr and his team won the state championship played at McNichol’s Arena in Denver. Flohr was named All-Conference of the Northwestern League for three years and during his junior and senior years was named All-State and received the Denver Post’s 2AA Player of the Year Award in 1979.

He went on to receive a full ride scholarship to play ball for Colorado State University, but after his freshman year he was recruited by Doug Schakel of Mesa State (now Colorado Mesa University) where he finished out his collegiate career. “It was the best decision of my life.” When asked why, he said, “because that’s where I met my wife Linda!” An elite athlete herself, Linda was the women’s number one tennis player at Mesa. Kevin Flohr was inducted into Mesa’s Wall of Honor in 2001. “As great a player as Kevin was, he is even better as a person. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better father or husband,” Schakel said via the Hall of Honor website. Kevin and Linda have three sons: Sean, Michael and Kevin, all of whom followed in their parent’s athletic footsteps playing basketball for Glenwood Springs High School and going on to play college hoops. From 2003 – 2006, Flohr coached boys high school basketball. He says, it’s still a great honor when the kids, now adults, come in and say, “Hey Coach.”

Flohr began his career with City Market in 1985, doing stints in Durango twice—his wife’s hometown—Montrose, Gunnison, Pagosa Springs and finally, landing back in his hometown of Glenwood Springs for the past 22 years. Most recently, he was transferred to supervise the El Jebel store. “When I started with City Market, I was lucky to work for the Prinster family. They were very family-oriented—everything was done with a hug and handshake,” he said. It’s a concept and a value system that he misses. “Businesses like City Market and Glenwood Hot Springs are more than what they appear to be. They are both meeting places where people go to connect with one another. It’s about far more than shopping for groceries or relaxing in the hot springs.”

Regarding his management style and approach to customer service, Flohr understands the importance of building relationships. “As a workplace leader, it’s vital to connect with your employees,” Flohr said. “If you don’t do that, how can you expect them to connect with the people they serve? I’ve always told my associates at City Market, you have an opportunity to change the environment and make a difference in people’s lives. Sometimes the conversation an employee has with a customer, especially an elderly one, may be the only conversation that person is going to have all day. The biggest challenge in customer service is getting your employees to live the values of the company.”

As Flohr transitions to his new role at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, he’s come full circle, returning to his hospitality roots—as adept in the business arena as he is on the court—making employees feel valued and appreciated and giving customers something to smile about. Way to go, coach!

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About Glenwood Hot Springs Resort
​Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is an historic Colorado landmark resort located along Interstate 70 at Glenwood Springs, approximately 165 miles (257 kilometers) west of Denver and 90 miles (145 kilometers) east of Grand Junction. Famous for its enormous hot springs pools, other amenities include the Spa of the Rockies, the Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge, an athletic club, a restaurant open for breakfast and lunch and a retail store specializing in swimwear. For more information, including press releases, a press kit, photos and a live web camera, please visit www.hotspringspool.com/misc/press-room or call 800-537-SWIM (7946) or 970-947-2955.

Media Contacts:
John Bosco, COO & Vice President
​Glenwood Hot Springs Resort/Spa of the Rockies
970-947-2954
John’s email ​

Patsy Popejoy, Communications Director
Resort Trends, Inc. – tourism communications
317-509-7384
Patsy’s email