Wyndham Appoints Rio Mar Beach Resort Manager
APRIL 12, 2007. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts today announced the appointment of Mark Stevenson, a 35-year hospitality veteran, as managing director of the 600-room Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, a Wyndham Grand Resort, in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. In his new role, he will be responsible for the operation of the 500-acre resort including oversight and management of the 1,200-member staff, golf facilities, spa, casino, food and beverage outlets, rooms, sales and marketing. He will begin his new role May 10 when the property officially joins the Wyndham Hotels and Resorts system.
Stevenson previously was general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas From 1998 to 2005 he served as general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan Hotel, Spa & Casino in Puerto Rico. Stevenson founded CMC Management Corporation, a casino and event management consulting company, in 1997.
In 1996 he became president of Windsor Casino Limited in Windsor, Ontario. From 1993 to 1996 he was corporate vice president of resort operations for Aruba-based Meta Corporation, responsible for managing a complex encompassing the Aruba Sonesta Resort & Casino and the Aruba Sonesta Suites Resort; the Crystal and Seaport Casinos; two marinas; two shopping malls, five cinemas and more than 150 shops; a conference center and a 100-acre private island.
Stevenson spent 17 years with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, where he worked in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility including executive assistant manager, general manager and regional vice president. He began his hospitality management career at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans as director, rooms division.
"Mark was an obvious choice for us," said Peter Strebel, president, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. "His proven track record, knowledge of the local culture and wealth of experience catering to discerning guests is a perfect match for the high standards of service that guests can expect at Rio Mar Beach."
While living in Puerto Rico, Stevenson served on the board of the Puerto Rico Hotel & Tourism Association and Caribbean Hotel Association and as Chairman of the Marriott Casino Cluster Committee.
In addition to business and community affiliations in Puerto Rico, Stevenson served as a member of and held various leadership positions with hospitality boards throughout the United States and Caribbean. Currently, he serves on the board of the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association and is an active member of the American Hotel & Lodging Association's prestigious resort committee.
Stevenson received a double bachelor of science degree in geological oceanography and geological sciences from the University of Washington, Seattle and a master's degree in finance from the University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H.
The Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, a Wyndham Grand Resort is situated on 500 acres along a mile-long section of tropical beach adjacent to the Caribbean National Rain Forest of El Yunque and the Mameyes River. It features 48,000 square feet of function space; a 7,000-square-foot casino; two world-class, 18-hole golf courses; a 7,000-square-foot spa and fitness center; 11 restaurants, lounges and entertainment venues; international tennis center; water sports center; and two beach-front pools.
The resort soon will undergo a multimillion-dollar redevelopment, including a complete overhaul of the casino and an upgrade of the golf courses, hotel lobby and guest rooms, suites, restaurants and meeting spaces. For more information on the resort, visit www.wyndhamriomar.com.
As announced last month, Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE: WYN), parent company of the Wyndham hotel brand, recently purchased a partial ownership interest in the resort, owned by Rio Mar Associates L.P. S.E., which is led by affiliates of Tishman Realty Corporation. Tishman Realty affiliates originally developed and built the resort, which opened in 1996, and continue to co-own it. Wyndham Hotel Management was contracted to operate the resort under a 20-year agreement.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts offers upscale hotel and resort accommodations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. All hotels are either franchised or managed by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts or an affiliate.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
