The Principals
And Their Principles
Paul Griffin - Is a
combat veteran and was a
member of the honor guard at
the White
House for the funeral of our president John F Kennedy. He served on
staff for the head of NATO operations, Admiral Masterson from 1963-1966
where he was recognized and awarded for his services. (A dynamic and
turbulent time during the cold war.) Paul was invited to join a "Good
Will Tour" of South Africa and Zimbabwe in 1981, following
Goldie Hawn, and Shelly Berman. (Again, a dynamic and turbulent era in
the genesis of those two nations.)
After twelve
years of residence in
the United Kingdom, where he was employed by the BBC and Thames
Television, Paul
and his British bride,
Irene
returned to the United States. Since their return, Paul was
the
president of the local Chamber of Commerce for five years, and he
has
served on the boards of the
Sullivan County Advisory Committee, Sullivan County Tourism, Delaware
Valley Arts Alliance, and NYS Hospitality & Tourism, where he was
nominated for "Tourism Executive of the Year-2006."
Prior to
all of this, Paul was a studio musician and as such, he recorded and
performed
with some of the most talented musicians of our time. His lead trumpet
playing could be heard on the Ed Sullivan Show, where he performed with
Ella Fitzgerald, Tom Jones and many other icons
of the entertainment industry. (Diana Ross & the Supremes, Joe
Williams, Sammy Davis Jr., Syd Caesar and Imogene Coca to name a
few.) Paul attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey,
where his studies included Business Administration, Psychology, and
Philosophy.
IRENE GRIFFIN - Irene
began her business training at an early age
when as a young woman of twenty one, she purchased and managed her own
convenience store. While fulfilling the day to day operations of her
growing enterprise, she honed her vocal skills as she performed in the
rural night clubs of her native Lancashire, England.
In
1990, Irene, along with her husband, Paul, co-founded The
Griffin House Bed and Breakfast.
There she put her many skills to work
as she infused this former aristocratic mansion home with the quaint
feel and hospitality of a British Manor Home. With Irene's
supervision, the award winning Griffin House gained broad recognition
as New York State Tourism & Hospitality's "Star Of The
Industry-2006" With a professional background in
music as a singer/entertainer, she performed as a soloist in various
theatres, nightclubs, and television studios. While performing on
Thames Television, Irene was seen by Fred Waring, a prominent musical
director/producer. Mr. Waring offered to headline Irene in his
North American tour with his orchestra, the "Pennsylvanians".
Since that auspicious occasion, Irene has performed at numerous venues
in the United States, including: Caesars Palace, Trump Plaza, The
Detroit Athletic Club and with The River City Brass Band, a 50 piece
brass ensemble featuring players from The Pittsburgh Symphony.