New Innkeepers at Friday Harbor House

Friday Harbor House introduces new staff…

Michael Felso and Meaghan McCormick – contributed photos

Friday Harbor House is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Felso and Meaghan McCormick as co-innkeepers. The pair brings a blend of dining and hospitality experience, as well as a local connection, to the property’s helm.

For McCormick, a San Juan Island native, the appointment represents a return to her roots. Her first job, at the age of 11, was bagging groceries at Kings Market, only a few blocks away from Friday Harbor House, where McCormick would later have her first hospitality position as a front desk agent. She gained further experience as front desk supervisor at Kenwood Inn and Spa, in Sonoma, Calif., before returning to the Northwest as the front office manager at Salish Lodge & Spa, in Snoqualmie, Wash.

“I started my career at Friday Harbor House, where I immediately fell in love with the travel and hospitality industry,” McCormick said. “Since then I’ve traveled to four other Columbia Hospitality properties, all of which were very different and taught me something new. I look forward to working closely with Michael, putting our knowledge together to create a truly exceptional environment for the staff and a memorable experience for our guests.”

Felso is the son of a former restaurant manager, from whom he gained his passion for hospitality. He has grown in the industry since starting off as a dishwasher at the age of 14. Born and raised in Sonoma, Felso joined the Columbia Hospitality team as a dining captain at the prestigious Kenwood Inn and Spa where he first met Meaghan, before he was appointed assistant food and beverage manager at Bell Harbor Conference Center, and later, food and beverage manager at Salish Lodge & Spa. He brings more than a decade of dining and hospitality experience to his new role overseeing operations at Friday Harbor House and its on-site restaurant, The Bluff.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be part of this incredible island community and for the opportunity to maintain Friday Harbor House’s reputation as a premier property that our team — and our community — can truly be proud to call their own,” said Felso.

McCormick and Felso made the move to Friday Harbor with McCormick’s daughter, Sapphire, who will be raised in the same small town where McCormick grew up. In their spare time, they enjoy spending time together and exploring the islands. They are in the process of preparing for a new addition to the family – a baby boy – due in the spring.

You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.