Whatever the job calls for, Nikki Lang rolls up her sleeves to get it done.

And for that reason, Lang, group sales coordinator for the Inn at Jim Thorpe, was recognized as the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Employee of the Year.

Lang discovered that she won in October, after inn owner David Drury nominated her for the award.

“It came through as an email, and to be honest, most of us thought it was a joke,” Lang said. “But then we opened it and confetti popped out all over the screen. When my boss came out, he was very excited, and we knew at that point it was for real.”

Six years ago, Lang started at the inn as a housekeeper and is now in a more of a business-type role. But the pandemic forced many to work well outside of their job descriptions.

“We had a very rough time here. We were still selling out, however, we didn’t have many employees,” Lang said.

Even in her new role, Lang quite literally never hesitated to plunge toilets, when needed.

“There were a good couple of weeks where I was running the desk, I was helping maintenance, I was doing housekeeping - I was doing whatever I needed to do for us to get by. I believe that’s where I was recognized by my boss to get the award.”

Lang, joined by a handful of award recipients from across the commonwealth, was honored in Pittsburgh at an awards gala, which took place on Nov. 8 at the Omni William Penn Hotel.

The winners enjoyed a steak dinner and had the opportunity to receive their awards on stage.

“Coming from a very small town in Lansford, I’ve never been out of the area,” Lang said. “I felt like Cinderella at the ball. When I went to sit at the table, the people were so excited that they were sitting with an award winner. I didn’t know any of them, and they were all so sweet. I felt honored.”

Lang’s favorite thing about her job is simply the people.

“I love meeting people from all over the world, and we get that here at the inn. I know you normally don’t hear that from someone in the area about tourists in Jim Thorpe, but I absolutely love them. I learn so many things from the people that come in. But we also have a lot of regulars who became like family to us.”

Lang considers her journey to be an underdog story, powered by hard work and determination.

“I was lower on the totem pole, I wasn’t a manager. It’s nice to see the little dog shine every now and then. There’s some of us who go out there and you bust your butt and don’t get recognition, so it was really nice to be able to have that.”