JW Marriott Names New GM

Currently in the final phase of a three-year, $320 million renovation and brand conversion project, the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort is pleased to announce the appointment of their new general manager, Sharon Lockwood. A 35-year Marriott veteran, Lockwood will be taking over the role for Rick Medwedeff who has been appointed as the general manager for the all new Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado. Medwedeff spent the last 12 years with the property.

Most recently, Lockwood was the operational leader of the Gaylord National Resort just outside of DC. During her time with the property, she strategically placed a focus on meeting planner expectations and re‐ignited service standards in order to boost event satisfaction and instill confidence for future bookings. She created new standards for “Ice!”– Gaylord’s signature holiday event, which creates a winter wonderland with more than two million pounds of ice– and drove guest satisfaction to increase summer leisure bookings.

“While it is certainly bittersweet to be leaving after 12 years with this beautiful property, I know the resort will be in excellent hands under Sharon’s leadership,” said Rick Medwedeff, current general manager of the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort. “Her vast experience and dedication will lend itself well to the culture of our resort and the journey that lies ahead with the opening of our new Lanai Tower, marking the completion of our $320 million transformation project. I know she will strive to continue the achievements of our landmark resort, and I have full confidence in her success.”

Lockwood’s impressive experience includes catering, human resources, rooms operations and hotel operations in properties spanning from the DC area to Southern California to Philadelphia. She has previously held general manager roles at several hotels including the Key Bridge Marriott and Crystal Gateway Marriott, both located in Arlington, Virginia, and the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel. While at the Renaissance, she worked with the hotel community and as a board member with Destination DC in order to drive citywide success during the changing downtown climate. Sharon was also on the board of the Hotel Association of Washington, DC and is former co‐chair of the Convention Committee.  She has served as chair of Marriott’s Washington, DC Area Business Council and Community Relations chair for that council as well as the Guidance Council chair for the Mid‐Atlantic.

In her new role, Lockwood will oversee all operations and functions of the resort, serving as the primary strategic business leader of the property while ensuring sales and revenue generation from both leisure and group guests. She will be an ambassador for the resort and the JW Marriott brand, and effectively lead hotel staff to maximize the guest experience, verifying the implementation of service strategy and initiatives to meet and exceed guest expectations. Lockwood’s responsibilities will also include a commitment to the community, and she will take charge on the variety of outreach efforts held by the resort, such as their dedication to the Harry Chapin Food Bank and American Cancer Society Relay for Life charities. Lockwood’s position as general manager begins January 6, 2018.