Magdalena Grand Beach Resort Announces Executive Team

Tobago resort prepares for November opening with 250 new hires.

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. September 15, 2011

Scarborough, Tobago - September 14, 2011 - The Magdalena Grand Beach Resort, set to open in November as Tobago's newest leisure resort, is pleased to announce the appointment of Vince Angelo as general manager. Additionally, Devanand Drepaul has been named financial controller and Famida Malik is the resort's director of human resources and training. Ithmiaz Kader has been named as the resort's executive chef.

“In preparation for opening the Magdalena Grand, we've been able to hire more than 225 employees locally and start building a solid team of leaders,” said John Murphy of EFM Hospitality Solutions. “At a time when many hotels and resorts are cutting back or even being forced to close, we are fortunate enough to be in a position to provide jobs to the local community and beyond. We are delighted to have a management team who bring an excellent blend of both local and global experience and skills which will enable Magdalena Grand to distinguish itself as a leading resort in the Caribbean.”

“We're very pleased with the caliber and talent of employees we've been able to hire and the pace at which we are progressing,” stated Kenneth Mohammed, vice president, Corporate Support Services at Evolving TecKnologies and Enterprise Development Company Limited. “The hiring process has been a positive step towards our November opening.”

Vince Angelo joins the Magdalena Grand team from the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort in the Bahamas, where he was hotel manager for four years. Prior to that, Mr. Angelo held positions with Wyndham, Marriott and Hyatt hotels throughout the United States.

Devanand Drepaul comes to the Magdalena Grand from the five-star Carlisle Bay in Antigua, where he managed a team as the financial controller. Drepaul's other prior experience includes working at several hotels in London and Moscow.

Famida Malik is a seasoned hospitality industry executive who is a qualified trainer and expert in service standards, revenue management and operations. Ms. Malik has worked for major international hotel brands, including InterContinental and Le Meridien, in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Executive Chef Ithmiaz Kader joins the culinary team from the Park Plaza Westminster in London where as executive chef he oversaw a team of 40 employees. Prior to that, Chef Kader was executive chef at the Hilton Curaçao. He has won numerous awards throughout his career including being a semi-finalist for the UK National Chef of the Year in 2002 and 2006, as well as a gold medallist at the 8th Culinary Contest of the US Meat Export Federation 2008. Additionally, Kader was the personal chef for the Dutch Antilles Football Club in 2008.

Tobago, sister island to Trinidad, is the quintessential Caribbean island with secluded beaches, quaint villages and award-winning eco-attractions that include the Main Ridge Rainforest, the oldest protected reserve in the western hemisphere. In addition to offering sun, sand, sea and diving, Tobago also provides many cultural, historical and ecological points of interest that appeal to visitors.

For more information, please call 868.660.8500 or email [email protected].

Magdalena Grand Beach Resort:

Opening November 2011, the 200-room Magdalena Grand Beach Resort will be Tobago's premier leisure and business resort. Located on 20 acres of tropical surroundings, the full service resort will feature five fine and casual dining options, an 18-hole golf course, expansive beachfront, swimming pool with cabana beds, as well as generously sized and flexible meeting/event space. For more information, please call 868.660.8500 or email [email protected].