Andy Muller Jr. of the Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad was among the award winners at the recent fall marketing committee meeting of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau.

The event at Camelback Resort in Tannersville recognized Muller and other individuals for their dedication and commitment to supporting the mission of the bureau and the region as a whole.

Rachel Wyckoff, marketing director at Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, was presented with the Gail Sterrett Marketing Award, recognizing a Pocono Mountains hospitality sales and marketing professional who mirrors the late PMVB marketing director Sterrett’s dedication, professionalism and passion for work, industry experience and leadership.

Wyckoff has been at the forefront of Shawnee Mountain’s marketing efforts since 2019, helping to attract skiers, snowboarders and winter enthusiasts to the Poconos each year and for offseason events as well.

Muller was presented with the second ever Chairperson’s Award in honor of the late Bob Uguccioni, who was the head of the PMVB for 40 years and passed away in 2022. As the CEO, Muller has grown the railroad to service freight customers as well as develop excursion lines bringing passengers to the Pocono Mountains and Jim Thorpe from locations including Pittston.

He and the RBMNRR have also developed a new railroad station in Nesquehoning for similar use. The grand opening was in August 2024.

Eider Prados of Camelback Resort was presented with the Outstanding Tourism Employee of the Year for his exceptional service on the front lines of hospitality. Prados, a banquet captain, has been with Camelback for seven years, serving in dining, conferences and other aspects of the four-season property.

The award recognizes an employee who consistently goes above and beyond to not only ensure the happiness of visitors but also of co-workers.

Valued Partner Awards for dedication to the PMVB and the Pocono Mountains tourism industry were also presented:

• East Stroudsburg University — Kenneth Long, university president; Dr. Sylvester Williams, dean, College of Business and Management; Dr. Stanley Li-Ming Chiang, professor, hospitality, recreation and tourism management.

• Northampton Community College — Dr. David Ruth, president; Debra Raneri, executive director, Workforce Development & Community Education — Pocono Campus.

• Monroe Career & Technical Institute — Dennis Virga, director; Maria Hafler, teacher, entrepreneurship.

• The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce — Bob Durkin, president and CEO.

• Jim Thorpe Police Department — Joseph Schatz, police chief.

• WFMZ-TV — Barry Fisher, president and general manager.

• Viamedia — Dan Walsh, divisional vice president, Cross Media.

• Damary’s Fight for Fairness — Dr. Damary Bonilla-Rodriguez.