New HR Director at Orlando Sheraton
ORLANDO, FL, June 15, 2006. Mary Secrest joins the new Sheraton Orlando North as director of human resources. Her responsibilities include hiring and training hundreds of people for the hotel's opening in August.
"Nobody is better than Mary at recruitment and team building," says Peter Valenzuela, general manager, Sheraton Orlando North. "Her leadership skills, combined with her expertise in hospitality and her ties to the community, will be invaluable as we prepare for the grand opening this summer of North Orlando's premier hotel and conference facility."
Mary brings to the new Sheraton more than 20 years of experience in property openings and human resources. Before joining Sheraton, she served as director of human resources at the Florida Mall Hotel, Orlando, Fla. Using community resources, Mary established cost-effective recruitment programs for the upscale, 510-room hotel and franchisees.
Earlier, Mary was director of people services for the grand re-opening of Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn, Orlando. She spearheaded a major hiring campaign for the new 777-suite brand, quadrupling staff size. Among her responsibilities, Mary also created employee payroll and benefits programs.
"Opening a hotel and knitting a team together are tremendously rewarding" Mary says. "At the Sheraton Orlando North, everything will be new, from the elegant furnishings to all the equipment and technology. To be part of this world-class property from the start will be an exciting opportunity for all our team members."
In recruiting, Mary looks for people who are upbeat and reliable. Above all, they must demonstrate a genuine concern for others. "To provide the best service, we need team members who will take the extra steps to be attentive, serving as ambassadors of the warm, caring culture that will be a hallmark of the Sheraton Orlando North."
Mary serves as president of the Hotel Human Resource Association of Central Florida, an organization with a mission to educate members on best practices In addition, she belongs to the Society for Human Resource Management and the Central Florida Hotel/Lodging Association. A Central Florida resident for nearly a decade, Mary also has a long track record of involvement in Orange County schools and neighborhood associations..
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