Holiday Inn general manager celebrates 50 years

Erika Hofmann was honored for 50 years of dedication to the Burbank Holiday Inn, Glendale’s Days Inn and J.P. Allen Co.

A gala was held in her honor April 30 at the Holiday Inn, where she continues to serve as general manager. Originally from Germany, she came to the United States in 1957 and taught herself English. Joe Perry hired her in 1960 to manage his apartment buildings including the Wentworth House in Glendale.

She later managed the Glendale Days Inn when it was a Holiday Inn and the Holiday Inn in Long Beach. She worked at the Burbank Holiday Inn after the first tower was built. A second tower was constructed soon after.

She was lauded as a great role model by her family and mentor by her employees during ceremonies presided over by the hotel lounge deejay Lou Farah.

After Farah read her accomplishments, the crowd gave her a standing ovation and he handed her the microphone.

“It’s overwhelming,” Hofmann managed to say while fighting back tears. “I appreciate everyone who came.”

Chris Haven has worked with her for nearly 16 years at the Holiday Inn.

“She’s been a great mentor to me,” Haven said. “With all the managers and staff, she has a patience about her. She’s worked in every position in this hotel — housekeeping, banquets, front desk — she’s done it all.”

Erika Hofmann’s son, Paul Hofmann, said he grew up in the hotels his mother worked in and had the run of the place. When he was 16, he and his friends decided to make a movie about spies. And for one scene, they threw a dummy off the Glendale hotel’s roof, and the police were called to the premises.

“My mother knew it was me,” he said sheepishly.