By John Flood

JOE HU/TOWN CRIER Sherrie Carreno, general manager at Courtyard by Marriott in Los Altos, greets a customer last week.

Soothing the woes of an irritable, worn-out business traveler makes Sherrie Carreno’s day. After all, she’s the general manager of the Courtyard by Marriott in Los Altos.

Easing the burdens of burned-out road warriors comes naturally because she genuinely likes to serve people. She gets to practice that skill every day by taking frazzled hotel guests from sapped to satisfied.

“I’m a turnaround expert,” she said. “I like to make people smile and turn their day around. It’s a passion for me to make people feel comfortable and to feel better.”

Her need to help others extends beyond work. Carreno is active in local charities and non-profit organizations such as the Children’s Miracle Network that makes financial contributions to local children’s hospitals. She also participates in the Relay For Life that supports cancer research. She has helped in other ways, such as offering complimentary hotel rooms for foster care coordinators from Russia who are trying to find homes for Russian orphans.

Even her 30-mile-per-week jogging routine extends to helping others, like the fundraising run for the First Harvest Food Bank and the Race For The Cure for breast cancer.

“I like being a part of giving something back,” said Carreno. “Running for a charity is an easy way to feel like you are giving to a cause. And the charity runs keep me motivated to train.”

Carreno’s 17-year career in the hotel industry began in her hometown of Phoenix where her parents owned restaurants. She has worked for Marriott hotels for 13 years.

In 2003, Carreno joined the 190-room Courtyard by Marriott in Los Altos.

She is responsible for all hotel operations, including food and beverage, guest satisfaction, sales and managing the hotel’s profitability.

When it comes to the primary needs of contemporary business travelers, she said, it’s their need to stay connected that drives everything else.

“They work everywhere - in their cars, their hotel rooms, in public places and even in our lobby,” said Carreno. “Complimentary wireless is the number one need.”

And it’s not just about staying connected for connectedness sake.

“They want information that connects them to restaurants, fitness centers and the locations of the best running trails,” she said.

For Carreno, managing the hotel isn’t the whole story. It’s the harmonious synergy of her personal values with Marriott’s operating philosophy that makes her job worthwhile.

“Mr. Marriott called it the ’spirit to serve.’ Treat your employees well and they will treat your guests well,” said Carreno. “I couldn’t find a more conducive company for that.”

Every hotel has its fair share of competition. For Carreno this has a unique twist.

“It’s my husband,” she said. “He’s the general manager of a hotel just up the road on El Camino Real.”

The Courtyard by Marriott is located at 4320 El Camino Real. For more information, call 941-9900 or visit www.paloaltocourtyard.com.