Pre-opening Team Appointments at JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa - opening December, 2001

Jerry Phelps, General Manager of JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa opening in December, 2001 is pleased to announce the following appointments to his pre-opening team:-

Fitz Aguilar – Director of Operations

A native of California, USA, Fitz Aguilar is a seasoned Marriott professional with extensive experience in opening new properties. Prior to his arrival in Thailand he was the director of operations at the Marriott Prague in the Czech Republic. Phuket will be his sixth hotel opening, following Marriott properties in Warsaw, the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico. His responsibilities will encompass the total resort operation, including food and beverage, rooms and guest services.

Jeff Crowe – Director of Marketing (Thailand)

Jeff Crowe joined the JW Marriott Hotel in Bangkok in February and is also responsible for the management of sales and revenue for JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa. Jeff brings a wealth of experience to his regional position. Over the past 20 years, he has worked in Southeast Asia, China and the United States. Prior to joining Marriott International he was the Area Director of Marketing, Peninsula Malaysia for Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts. He holds a bachelor degree from the Stetson University in Florida and a Master of Professional Studies (Hotel Administration) degree from Cornell University in New York.

Anthony Tuttle – Executive Chef

Anthony (Tony) brings a wealth of talent and experience to his latest posting with over twelve years experience with Marriott. Before moving to Thailand he was the Executive Chef at JW Marriott, Mexico City for three years and prior he was Executive Sous Chef at the New Orleans Marriott hotel with 1,290 rooms where he was responsible for banqueting facilities for up to 3,500 people, with an average of 8,000 covers per week.

Other postings include the Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio, Texas, a 1000 room property where he was Specialty Restaurant Chef for four years and Marriott Marco Island Resort in Florida where he was food production manager for for three years. Originally from Kalamazoo in Michigan, USA, Tony is a passionate “foodie” and is excited about the wonderful culinary experiences that Thai food offers. He looks forward to presenting an innovative range of interactive restaurants at the new resort, including Thai, Seafood, Italian and Japanese (sushi) cuisine.

Prapon Yaipuak – Director of Engineering

Prapon Yaipuak brings a solid engineering career spanning more than 26 years to his new position at the JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa. Immediately prior to joining the resort, he was employed at Copeland (Emerson Electric Thailand) Ltd, in Rayong for four years, starting as Resident Engineer before being promoted to Assistant Quality Manager and then Assistant Manager, Service Engineering. Prior to working for Copeland, Prapon was the Resident Engineer for the Grand Hyatt Erawan in Bangkok for six years, including during the pre-opening stage where he was responsible for the overall engineering operation. Prior to joining Copeland Prapon worked in several industries in the engineering field. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology, Bangkok.

Lee Sutton – Marketing Manager (International)

After four and a half years at The Regent Resort Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, Lee moved to Egypt with The Ritz-Carlton, Sharm El Sheikh for a year and now returns ‘home’ to Thailand. Her previous experience also includes opening the Equatorial Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Prior to coming to Asia she was based in Australia - firstly in Conventions and Incentives on Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland for three years and then she moved into public relations at the Burswood Resort Hotel and Casino in Perth, Western Australia where she worked for four years before moving to Asia.

JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Spa comprises 265 rooms, including 13 suites and will be fully integrated within Marriott’s Phuket Beach Club, consisting of 144 two-bedroom/two bath luxurious vacation villas (at buildout) measuring 119 square meters (1,282 square feet). Phuket Beach Club will be under the banner of Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), the Vacation Ownership division of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR).