Feb. 26, 2009 – On a recent visit to St. Thomas, Bill Marriott, chairman and CEO of Marriott International, offered congratulations to several employees who had distinguished themselves over the past year. Among them were: Randolph (Leban) Nichols, Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Beach Resort Manager of the Year; Antoinette Gomez, Tommy Star Award winner for Marriott's Frenchman's Reef; Naomi Hurston, Tommy Star Award winner for Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Cove; and Mohamed Ismail, Marriott's Frenchman's Reef Rookie Manager of the Year.
He also expressed confidence in the future of Virgin Islands tourism and noted several initiatives recently begun on St. Thomas on behalf of Marriott's Frenchman's Reef and Morning Star Beach Resort as well as Frenchman's Cove, the new vacation ownership facility nearing completion.
Marriott General Manager Jose Gonzalez said, "Tourism is most important to the economy of St. Thomas as well as all of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the tourism employees are at the heart of this industry. It is most satisfying to be able to acknowledge the excellent efforts of not only those who have been recognized over this past year but also all of those who have – for so many years – contributed to the success of this industry. Marriott is proud to be an integral part of this tourism product.
The primary challenge now is to make certain that more local employees continue to be developed to assume leadership roles. It is everyone's responsibility to make this island the very best it can be – for only then can the success of the tourism industry be obtained, maintained and sustained."
