Warm Springs, Oregon
June 17. 1988 PAGE 3
Kah-Nee-Ta providing new, expanded services under Malfara
Spilyay Tymoo
Malfara stresses team effort
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Splfyay Tymoc pko4 by Sktwnyk
PROFIT EXPECTED Kah-Nee-Ta general man
ager Ron Malfara expresses certainty that the
resort can be a profitable enterprise.
"I was expecting all sorts of problems," says
new Kah-Nee-Ta general manager Ron Mal
fara, but "it is much easier than I anticipated."
Since Malfara 's arrival at Kah-Nee-Ta he
has learned much about Kah-Nee-Ta, about '
the people who work at the resort and about
Warm Springs tribal members. "People want
Kah-Nee-Ta to make a profit," he expresses.
"They have all the players here they need. Now
it's just a matter of focusing the team in a
direction to make it productive."
The self-assured Malfara is certain he can
turn the tribally-owned resort into a profitable
enterprise. Some small, low cost changes must
be made first.
Changes that could help make a difference in
Malfara 's plan include some that have already
been implemented including the addition of
volleyball courts, tent camping, Kah-Nee-Ta
owned concessions and a driving ranee for
golfers. "Anything wc can do in-house will give
an opportunity to people here to have employ
mcnt,"says Malfara and will add attractions to
Kah-Ncc-Ta. He feels that "If wc attack things
creatively we may get it done in-house for sub
stantial savings." Malfara says, "I'm already
astounded that what people said couldrn be
done has already been done," He emphasizes
that "plans are just plans. Projects that can
turn an immediate profit are important. These
changes will in no way interfere with the long
term development plan for Kah-Ncc-Ta. he
adds.
As the profits increase, it is important that
employees share in the gain. They are being
encouraged to seek ways to save money and
present new ideas to increase revenue. Malfara
feels, "if wc make a profit, a portion of that
profit goes back to the employees. This will
make them more concerned about what goes
on." Malfara feels that employees must be pro
vided with incentives to make the resort work
for the Tribe.
A team effort is essential to make Malfara's
plan for Kah-Nee-Ta work. "No one person
can make it or destroy it," he stresses. He feels
the employees currently working at the resort
arc experts in what they are doing. He shows
puzzlement, however, that "the cohesivencss
has not jelled." He says, "I'm hoping to bring
all these people into focus on what we're trying
to do." Then the plan can work.
Malfara knows Kah-Nee-Ta can flourish.
He's seen it happen at the the White Mountain
Apache Reservation where he served as general
manager for ten years. Malfara is responsible
for "most growth and development and the
building design at that resort," he says. He is
also responsible for a tribal employment rate
of 80 percent.
Little by little Malfara worked his way to his
administrative position beginning at Timber
line Resort as a ski lift operator. "Each year I
would get more mileage behind me," he says.
He's gained experience by owning his own
commercial diving business in Canada and
operating small businesses in third world coun
tries. He says, "I work well with minorities and
try to understand their point of view."
"Kah-Nee-Ta is not that far from making it,"
Malfara emphasizes. If enough people focus
on that target, it will happen. "I think people
here are hopeful that this property that has
suffered in the past will become profitable. If it
has anything to do with me," he adds, "it will
end up profitable."
Tribal members encouraged to apply
"We would like to have a lot
more tribal members come out."
says Kah-Nee-Ta personnel man
ager Tina Aguilar.
In April 2 1 6 people were employ
ed at Kah-Nee-Ta. Of those 53
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Spilyay Tymoo photo by Shtwctyk
GOOD SERVICE Warm Springs tribal member Clarice Crane serves
guests at the Village River Room Restaurant.
were tribal members, 18 were mar
ried into the Tribe, 56 were Indian
from other tribes and 89 were
non-Indians.
Active recruiting takes place.
Aguilar explains, "If we see some
one who would be good for the
organization we ask if they are
happy where they are." If they
express an interest in Kah-Nee-Ta
"we try to recruit them."
Most tribal members work in
Housekeeping and Food and Bev
erage departments. Employees who
show abilities in management and
other areas usually move up the
ladder.
Training programs through the
Tribe allow tribal members to
apprentice in particular areas. When
they complete their training "they
are eventually put on the Kah-Nee-Ta
payroll," says Aguilar.
Tribal members who have com
pleted training programs, for
example, are Carol Stevens who is
acting manager in the Lodge Gift
Shop and Eliza Greene who will
become manager of the Craft Shop.
Eta Aguilar is Bath House supervi
sor and Paula Smith is filling in as
executive secretary. Debbie Smith
is working as personnel assistant
manager.
Aguilar points out that Kah-Nee-Ta
does not discriminate in
hiring but she does encourage tri
bal members to apply for jobs at
the resort complex.
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TEAM EFFORT A team effort in promoting gift shop items helps to make the Lodge Gift Shop a success.
(L eft to Right) Former shop manager Dee II arned is pictured with acting shop manager Carol Stevens, 1 1 axel
Smith and Connie Smith.
Gift shop carries diverse inventory
After working diligently to in
crease sales in the Kah-Ncc-Ta
Lodge gift shop for five years. Dec
Harned has turned her duties over
to Carol Stevens.
During the time Harned man
aged the shop profits increased.
Harned attributes that to an in
creased inventory.
While administering the shop
she said she kept "pushing"to raise
the inventory. The labor costs
remain constant so adding more
inventory would add more profit.
An upgrading of sportswear
accounts for "a big jump in profit
last year." says Harned. Jewelry is
a high proportion of the sales and
T-shirts provide about 20 percent
of sales.
"We try to include local pro
ducts offered to us." says the
former shop manager. Those items
include bcadwork, silver jewelry,
ceramics, pine-needle baskets, T
shirts.art printsand Warm Springs
Apparel Industries item
Acting manager Carol Stevens
intends to progress in the same
direction. She says T-shirts are a
big selling item. She will continue
to stock sportswear with more
styles for the 20-30-ycar-old age
group. Stevens will also stock more
items from local and Oregon artists.
The gift shop has a strong team
effort. Stevens emphasizes. "Eve
ryone works well together." They
are pleased in being able to offer
gifts the gusts enjoy and want to
take home.
Recreational director organizes activities
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Spitvav 7 vmoo photo by Shewcxyk
KEEPING GUESTS ENTERTAINED tfecmfoia director Lottie
Laughlin initiates new activities for guests at the Resort.
Guests at Kah-Nee-Ta have the
opportunity to engage in organized
recreational activities since
recreational director Lottie Laugh
lin began work.
Laughlin presents a calendar of
activities to guests each week.
Activities range from nature walks
and water exercise to volleyball
and mini-golf.
Organized activities will allow
guests a way to meet people and
will provide "an all-around good
time," says Laughlin. Guests ac
companying conference participants
at the resort will be able to stay
occupied.
Laughlin is in the process of set
ting up a natural history day on
Saturdays where Kah-Nee-Ta
grounds manager Gary Clowers
will teach guests about the area and
its wonders. Guests will also be
exposed to native American arts
such as beadwork, basketry and art
during this time. Employees at the
resort will be utilized when possi
ble, says Laughlin, in demonstra
tions and working with guests.
As recreation director Laughlin
will also be working with the Warm
Springs Recreation department
in some activities.
Restaurant schedule
River Room Restaurant
7:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Juniper Room Restaurant
6:00-a.m.-12:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Pinto Room Restaurant
12:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Full-service beauty shop
begins operation
She offers a full service beauty
shop including facials, hair cuts.
Chef, dance team take first at cook-off
If the chili was good, the show
was better.
Kah- Nee-Ta chef Robert New
berry with his assistant, Melvin
McGill, and members of a Warm
Springs dance group headed by
Caroline Tohet placed first in show
manship at the Sunriver Chili Cook
off, Sunday, May 29.
Along with the first place trophy,
Newberry's group placed second
for best booth.
The main ingredient of the show
was, of course, chili. The cook has
been improving his recipe for 15
years. He uses chuck or sirloin
steak, no tomato products and
sausage grease. Other ingredients
are his secret.
He's used his recipe at Kah-Nee-Ta
and it was "well received," says
Newberry. It was also very popular
at the competition. Newberry feels
he would have won the people's
choice category if he had enough
chili to go around. Of 200 people
that tested it, 160 gave him their
vote. Other cooks, though had more
samples to give away.
The dancers were instrumental
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COOK-OFF WINNERS Ken Turner, general manager of Sunriver
village Mall, presents Kah-See-Ta chef Robert e 'berry with first place
showmanship trophy won at the recent regional chili cook-off.
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in winning the showmanship trophy.
Visitors to the cook-off enjoyed
their performance. The Warm Springs
group participated in the event to
"reach out and touch people," says
Newberry and "to bring more peo
ple to Kah-Nee-Ta. He mentioned
that "many people don't knowabout
Kah-Nee-ta. "even Central Oregon
residents.
The 17-year veteran cook says
he's a "soup man" but also does
well with Indian traditional foods
including fry bread and venison.
He's pleased to say he's even been
given compliments for his venison
preparation by Warm Springs tri
bal elders.
Newberry is hoping to bring a
chili cook-off activity to Kah-Nee-Ta.
Besides being fun. it would
attract many new visitors to the
resort.
While working on these plans he
is also refining his recipe for chili as
thestatecompctition isjust around
the corner. And then on to the
world competition.
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NEW SERVICE A'afAy Gosling
offers a variety of services in the
Kah-ee-Ta Lodge beauty shop.
Services range from manicures to
complete make-overs.
manicures, pedicures, artificial
nails, rhinestone nail art and a full
make-over. Kathy's Beauty Shop
at Kah-Nee-Ta Resort is filling a
need for both resort guests and
local community members.
The addition of a beauty shop to
Kah-Nee-Ta 's list of services is one
more way management is seeking
to increas.' profits at tribally owned
resort. According to shop operator
Kathy Gosling the shop "has been
pretty busy." Considering the fact
that the shop has not been open
long and has not been advertised
as yet she feels "we've had an excel
lent response."
The shop is still in the process of
being stocked and work is planned
for the small windowed office space
on the second floor of the resort.
Expansion of the shop may occur
in a year or so. relates Gosling.
Originally from Oregon. Gosling
has worked in Arizona for the past
five years where she operated two
nail businesses and a clothing bou
tique while also marketing nail
supplies for other companies. She
has been in the cosmetology business
for nearly 25 years.
Six years ago Gosling worked at
Kah-Nee-Ta as a bartender and
returned to the area to make some
decisions about her future. When
asked to start the shop at Kah-Nee-Ta
her decision was made.
The cosmetologists is available
bv appointment by calling 553
1112. Ext. 135.