Marriott realigns Caribbean & Latin American Area Operational and Regional Sales Leadership Positions

Marriott International has realigned its area operational and regional sales leadership positions in the Caribbean & Latin America region.

The moves are the result of Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing Dominic Sherry's transfer to a similar position to the company's Asia Pacific region, and the retirement of Alex Stadlin, formerly area vice president of operations for Marriott in Mexico, Central America, and the northern cone of South America. Named in the realignment are:

• Andrew Houghton has been promoted to area vice president for Marriott International in the Caribbean & Brazil where he will be responsible for overall hotel operations. This responsibility currently spans more than 16 hotels and resorts across four lodging brands including JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, and Courtyard by Marriott hotels.

Mr. Houghton began his career with Marriott International in 1986 as the director of sales & marketing at the London Marriott Hotel. In 1998 he accepted the position of director of marketing for the Cairo Marriott Hotel, Marriott’s largest hotel outside of the United States. Since that time he has held positions of increasing responsibility in sales & marketing and operations for both Marriott International & the Hilton Hotels Corporation in the United Kingdom and the Middle East. Mr. Houghton has also served as general manager of both the Riyadh Marriott Hotel in Saudi Arabia, and the JW Marriott Mirage City Cairo Hotel, in Egypt.

In 2004, Mr. Houghton moved to Marriott International’s global headquarters as vice president for full service brands including the JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, and Renaissance Hotels & Resorts brand. In this role he was responsible for creating and executing the positioning and strategy for these brands throughout the world.

• Manuel Ovies, currently area vice president of operations for Marriott International in the Caribbean & Latin America, has assumed expanded responsibilities in the region. Mr. Ovies’ role now encompasses operational responsibility for Central America and South America (except Brazil).

Mr. Ovies distinguished career with Marriott International spans 36 years and began at the Houston Astrodome Marriott in 1972. After assuming many notable roles in operations in various locations throughout the world, Mr. Ovies joined the Caribbean & Latin America region in 2001 as area vice president for hotel operations in the Caribbean & southern cone of South America (Brazil and Argentina). Mr. Ovies’ extensive experience in operations and the industry make him an invaluable asset to the Marriott International team in the region.

• John Licence has been appointed vice president for sales and marketing in the region with responsibility for the coordination of all sales and marketing activities, as well as the development of the overall strategy for the region. This responsibility covers more than 45 hotels and resorts in the region, across seven lodging brands.

Mr. Licence began his hotel career in London in 1979 as a management trainee for Centre Hotels, London. From 1983 to 1992 Mr. Licence held various positions in operations including front office manager, sales and marketing director, food and beverage manager, and two general management appointments with Ramada & Renaissance Hotels in the United Kingdom. From 1992 until 1997 he was area director of sales and marketing for Renaissance hotels in Europe. Since joining Marriott in 1997 as a director of alliance accounts for international lodging, he has held positions increasing responsibility in sales and marketing for the company. In 1998 he was appointed vice president of global sales for central Europe & Frankfurt. Since 2006 he has held the post of vice president of global sales for Europe and South Asia. He is a member of Marriott’s Senior Sales Leadership Council that develops strategic policy for the Marriott Global Sales Organization.

All three gentlemen are based in the company's Weston, Florida, regional office.

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, Promotions, New Hotels, Marriott