2024 Heroes of Hospitality: Gene Merlino
Hotelier, Public Servant
Gene and his wife, Linda, entered the hospitality business in 1984 when they bought an 1890s Victorian in Lake Luzerne and turned it into a bed and breakfast called the Lamplight Inn.
The B&B earned glowing reviews and the loyalty and affection of many guests who came back year after year during the Merlinos’ 40 years in business. The couple sold the inn just this year.
Gene serves the hospitality community in a broader role as the chairman of the Warren County Board of Supervisors’ tourism committee. Gene has been the Town Supervisor of Lake Luzerne for 19 years and served for 18 years on the tourism committee, 10 as its leader.
He works closely with the staff of the county’s tourism department to reinvest the occupancy tax money collected in Warren County back into local businesses.