Pictured: Commitment to Excellence Council- Committee Members (Left to Right) Hailey Thrift, Marie Gaines, Wes Santos, Carmel Koons,Toni Fike, Riley Austin, Michael Kvenberg, Jessica Heiting, Jeff Janssen, Jamie Ujvari

Like most businesses over the past two years, the Hyatt Regency Sarasota has had to adjust their traditional way of doing business.  There is now a younger vibe in hiring to reflect the growing younger demographic of Sarasota, plans for future renovation, and new leadership in place. General Manager, Wes Santos, is new to the Hyatt, but certainly not new to the hotel industry. Wes is a seasoned leader who has spent a number of years working in the hospitality busines in several markets across the country. During his tenure as General Manager, he has received various leadership awards, including Marriott’s General Manager of the Year during his first year as GM. His top priorities are coaching and development of his team members. 

Recently, a new plan was introduced to get line level team members more involved in decision making and planning. The Commitment to Excellence Special Council invites employees from different departments of the hotel to meet monthly and talk about what is being done well and what can be done better. The purpose is to aid in developing associates, share best practices and gather feedback from hourly team members—tasks that were once typically handled by management. The council consists of supervisors and associates working together, introducing and sharing ideas to affect positive changes for the hotel, community and personal growth. “The council members are really ambassadors for excellence in the hotel,” says Santos. It’s a plan that benefits both the hotel and the employee, as being part of the committee provides mentorship and growth opportunities within our management. Council members are empowered with community leadership opportunities and greater involvement in planning. 

Pictured: Commitment to Excellence Council- Committee Members (Left to Right) Hailey Thrift, Marie Gaines, Wes Santos, Carmel Koons,Toni Fike, Riley Austin, Michael Kvenberg, Jessica Heiting, Jeff Janssen, Jamie Ujvari

For more information click here