My Favorite Hotel GM Decides To Slow Down

Today I want to wish a happy semi-retirement for someone who has been a true friend to WOBM over the years.  Bob Van Bochove has been the General Manager of the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center since 1988 and has run that place with dignity and class.  It’s a 24/7 job and Bob knows when someone from the hotel calls he has to answer.  After decades of navigating through just about everything, including a pandemic,  he is stepping away from the GM post but will remain as Managing Director…that in itself tells you how the owners feel about his contributions over the years.

Bob and his wife Bonnie (who recently retired) will start 2022 with a road trip and take a long and leisurely vacation visiting friends and family in a much warmer climate.  He will return to his second home and help his replacement continue a standard that has helped the Clarion achieve the Gold Award for Excellence with Choice Hotels which puts them in the top 10% of the best performers worldwide.

While I will miss working with Bob I am thrilled that his replacement will be Kevin Hanfield, a Toms River East High School graduate who began working at the Clarion 20 years following graduation.  He has served as Banquet Manager most recently and his hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed and I have no doubt he will do a great job.

By the way Bob & Bonnie will become grandparents for the first time this spring so you can be sure their son Joel won’t hesitate to ask for babysitting help now that they have more time.