As Director of Sales and Marketing for Residences at Deer Creek , Marcia Zeller Reveals a New Passion in Making Connections
Marcia Zeller is so excited to describe a newfound passion in working with people : “I love working with the residents and their families in the senior living setting, hearing all their stories!” Marcia accepted the position as Director of Sales and Marketing for The Residences at Deer Creek in Schererville as of March 30. She’s glad to be back working with friends and business associates across the Region, too.
Marcia has spent some 30 years in the hotel/hospitality world; 26 years as Senior Catering Sales Manager for The Radisson Hotel, which means she’s worked directly to ensure the success of just about every major function held in their ballrooms. Soon after announcing the closure of the Merrillville venue, Marcia moved on to serve four years as Group Sales Manager for the Double Tree Hilton in Oakbrook. “I saw this position at Residences at Deer Creek as not only a way to continue to serve my own community again, but as a way to make connections with people who had important needs for a secure living experience as they grew older,” she reflects.
“I felt prepared,” she said, “because I had worked with so many seniors from church groups, Red Hat Ladies, and many other organizations that valued older adults. After that first interview with the leadership team at Residences at Deer Creek, I thought ‘why not be the person who connects others with the best service and care in Lake County?’” Marcia is another advocate for doing work that you love. “You’ll love working every day, develop self- confidence, and you’ll be able to talk to anyone anywhere because your passion for what you do enables that spirit,” she notes. Following that passion, has taken her far in following her own advice; while Marcia obtained a BA degree as a journalism major, her first job, at Crown Books, gave her the opportunity to plan special events, which she has been doing ever since.
Service to community has also been a passion for Marcia. Through her affiliation with The Radisson she has been a member of the Religious Convention Management Association (RCMA) and the Christian Meeting and Convention Association (CMCA). Marcia has served as a member of The Lake County Library Board, Ambassador for The Crossroads Chamber of Commerce, Liaison to the Oakbrook and DuPage County Visitors Bureau as Hotel Contact.
Marcia has a special affinity for Humane Indiana, revealing yet another passion– rescue cats. “I have three right now,” she laughs. “I take the black cats that no one seems to want, although I have a tortoise shell now, too.” There’s a passion she absolutely does not share with husband Bill who she met all those years ago while studying at Northern Illinois University. Since 1996 she and friends go to Disneyworld because she loves The Mouse, while Bill is not particular about that. Of course Marcia plans the trips and so far has stayed in every hotel there. Most recently she is into cruises for vacation time. Otherwise, she loves to read and visit new local restaurants, probably with Bill!
While Marcia has just been at Residences at Deer Creek for a few months, she has made acquaintances and friendships with residents and encourages their activities. Teamwork is another value Marcia demonstrates as a willing participant in bringing ways to make everyone feel at home and happy, just as she is with her new position, back home again, in Indiana!
