Hilton Ft Lauderdale Beach Resort Assembles Executive Team
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, July 5, 2006. The new Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, one of the area's first large-scale, luxury oceanfront resorts opening fall 2006, has announced its executive team responsible for the pre and post-launch of this highly-anticipated flagship property.
"This is an exciting time for both the Hilton brand and Fort Lauderdale, which is poised to become a favored destination for discerning travelers," states General Manager Andreas Ioannou. "We could not be more pleased with the talent this group of professionals brings to the project. Each shares the Hilton vision in offering the finest services and amenities with a personalized touch. These qualities today, are the same of our company's founder, Conrad Hilton, who said over 50 years ago, 'It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality.' Our mission is simply, 'Be Hospitable.' Conrad Hilton's quote has become our passion," Ioannou adds.
Jacqueline S. George, SPHR has been named director of human resources, responsible for the hiring of the entire team to service the 373-suite resort property. George brings more than 20 years of human resources experience to the team and began her career in the hospitality industry working with Caneel Bay Resort, St. John, USVI, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Toronto, Canada, and Rosewood Hotels and Resorts in Dallas, Tex.
St'ephane Lafon, a native of France who earned his bachelor of science in hospitality management from Florida International University, North Miami, Fla., has been appointed director of food and beverage. He began his career at the Fontainebleau Hilton Hotel and Towers in Miami Beach, Fla., before moving to New York to work for the legendary Waldorf=Astoria. Lafon has held management positions with Turnberry Isle Resort and Club, Aventura, Fla., Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Palm Beach, Fla., Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans, La., and most recently served as director of food and beverage at the Swissotel The Drake in New York City.
Miguel Rodriguez joins the team as executive assistant manager, responsible for day to day operations of the resort. Also a graduate of Florida International University, Rodriguez returns to South Florida after serving as general manager of The Water Club Boutique Hotel in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Previously, Rodriguez held senior managerial positions with two South Beach hotspots - The Winterhaven Boutique Hotel and The Delano. Rodriguez began his career with Ritz Carlton, working with their properties in Washington, D.C., Arlington, Va., Cancun and Dearborn, Mich.
Thomas R. Parke has been named director of sales and marketing, responsible for the creation and development of all initiatives, including the overall guest services master plan. Prior to joining Hilton, Parke held various pre-opening sales and marketing positions with other resorts throughout Hawaii, Asia and the Caribbean. In total, Parke has held a senior sales and marketing position in four previous successful luxury resort openings on a total of three continents. Most recently, he served as the regional marketing director of Inter-Continental Resorts - Puerto Rico where he was instrumental in the re-opening of the Inter-Continental Resort San Juan and the newly built Inter-Continental Resort Cayo Largo. Prior to that, Parke worked with CAA International, LTD., Hong Kong, SAR, China, overseeing two Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts pre-openings in Thailand and the Island of Maldives. Parke has also been affiliated with the American Golf Corporation, the Maui Inter-Continenal Wailea and the Kea Lani Hotel & Villas, also in Maui. He currently serves on the Marketing Advisory Committee for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as the Marketing Committee for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce.
Henry "Clay" Stewart II has been appointed director of finance, returning to South Florida and Hilton Hotels Corporation following a turn as operations controller for Lake Las Vegas Resort in Henderson, Nev. Stewart served as director of finance at the Hilton Miami Airport and the Doubletree Oceanfront Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Prior to that, he worked as assistant controller at The Breakers Hotel and Resort in Palm Beach, Fla., and Pheasant Run Resort & Spa in St. Charles, Ill.
Clare-Helen Sutton joins the team as director of revenue management, responsible for overseeing in-house reservations and liaising with Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort's central reservation offices to maximize market share. She recently served in the same position with Hilton, focusing on the Doubletree Guest Suites Galleria and Fort Lauderdale Oceanfront Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Sutton began her hospitality career with Embassy Suites in Boca Raton, Fla., before moving to Coral Springs Marriott Hotel in Coral Springs, Fla.
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