THE COMMON MAN’S CINDY BATES WINS NATIONAL ‘SPIRIT OF CHART’ AWARD

 

ASHLAND, NH – Cindy Bates, PHR, CHT, Chief People Officer for The Common Man family in New Hampshire, won the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers’ (CHART) ‘Spirit of CHART Award’ at the organization’s recent regional conference in Boston.

 

The award is presented to a CHART member who has assisted in moving the organization forward through contributions that are above and beyond, and who represent the essence of CHART’s guiding principles of learning, sharing, growing, and caring.

 

“She has spent her time leading teams, serving on the Board, growing membership, supporting Regional Training Forums, mentoring first-time attendees, and she created memorable experiences that are still talked about years later,” said Rachel Richal, CHART member and past president, during the award presentation. “What sets her apart is not what she’s done, it’s how she’s made people feel.”

 

Bates has been a member of CHART for more than 17 years, elected three times by her peers to the organization’s board of directors. Bates’ responsibilities with CHART have included conference director, Regional Training Forum director for New England, serving as secretary of the board, and leading initiatives to increase membership.

 

“This is an incredible moment in my life. This organization has meant everything in my career,” said Bates during her acceptance speech. “When people ask me, ‘What is one pivotal moment in your career?’ I say it’s CHART, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I have gained 500 people who are on my team, and I am on yours.”

 

Chief People Officer for The Common Man since 2020, Bates manages the strategy and process of recruitment and retention of employees, designs policies that support The Common Man’s culture, works as an advocate and mentor for employees, and optimizes training and professional development to support the mission and goals of staff and the organization. Bates began her career with The Common Man family 34 years ago as a server at Tilt’n Diner and served in numerous management and training roles before her promotion to Chief People Officer.

 

Bates earned the Professional Human Resource (PHR) designation from the Society of Human Resources in 2014. As part of The Common Man’s mantra to DO GOOD, Bates has always been involved in giving back to the community. In her time at Tilt’n Diner, she led many fundraising efforts for local organizations including hosting benefit dinners and providing food and support for Cash N Cans and the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction. She has participated in the Made in NH Expo at The Common Man’s table, selling crab cakes to benefit CASA of NH, and contributes to numerous other Common Man charitable events each year.

 

She serves as an advisory board member for the NH Technical College culinary program as well as the Huot Career & Technical Center in Laconia. She is also on the Plymouth High School educational advisory committee and conducts job interview and resume writing training sessions for clients of The Bridge House in Plymouth. Bates is a past member of the educational board of directors of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association (NHLRA).

 

Founded in 1971 by owner Alex Ray, the Common Man family is made up of 17 restaurants, four Inns, The Barn on the Pemi event center, and Company Store. Common Man locations include Common Man restaurants in Lincoln, Ashland, Concord, Claremont, Merrimack and Windham; The Common Man Inn, The Lodge, The Ranch, The Barn on the Pemi, Foster’s Boiler Room, JJ’s Breakfast and Lunch Counter, New Berry’s on the Common, and Italian Farmhouse in Plymouth; Common Man Inn & Restaurant in Claremont; Lakehouse Grille, Camp, Lago and Town Docks in Meredith; Route 104 Diner in New Hampton; Tilt’n Diner in Tilton; Airport Diner in Manchester; Lincoln Diner in Lincoln; and the Common Man Company Store in Ashland. For more information, visit thecman.com or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thecommomannh and find them on Instagram @thecommonmannh.