Blue Harbor Resort, The #1 Resort On Wisconsin's Lake Michigan Coast, Announces Promotions And Expansion Of Senior Management Team
SHEBOYGAN, Wis., Jan. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Harbor Resort & Spa, the #1 resort on Wisconsin's Lake Michigan Coast, today announced promotions and expansion of its senior management team.
David Sanderson, vice president and general manager of Blue Harbor Resort, has been promoted and assumed additional responsibilities as president of Garland Lodge and Golf Resort. Garland Lodge is Blue Harbor's sister resort, located in scenic Northern Michigan. Both resorts are owned by the Forsythe family, who acquired 100 percent interest in Blue Harbor earlier this year. Sanderson will continue to be based in Sheboygan.
Blue Harbor also announced the promotion of John Klemme from director of sales to assistant general manager and appointed Susan Engler as director of group sales. Laurie Hobbs, who recently joined the resort as director of marketing, will lead sales and marketing efforts for the property.
According to Sanderson, we are thrilled to continue to build our senior management team with promotions and additions of capable professionals who will continue to the positive results and momentum of Blue Harbor Resort. "For the third consecutive year, the resort has produced record financial results and the team has shaped the image of Blue Harbor as a hospitality leader and winner in the marketplace," said Sanderson.
The changes and additions in the organization come at a time when Blue Harbor continues to provide operational support for Garland Lodge. "Strategic areas of Garland Lodge will benefit from Blue Harbor's strong operational excellence in departments where it makes sense including information technology, finance and accounting, human resources and marketing," added Sanderson.
David Sanderson who joined Blue Harbor Resort in 2011, led the team that turned the lakeside property into the successful resort it is now. Sanderson was previously with Crestline Hotels and Resorts where he served as general manager and director of sales and marketing at Rocky Gap Lodge and Golf Resort in Maryland. Earlier in his career, he was also general manager of Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island, Michigan. Sanderson attended Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.
John Klemme, who is now assistant general manager at Blue Harbor, joined the property in January 2012 as senior sales manager and was subsequently promoted to director of sales. Prior to Blue Harbor, he was sales manager and front office manager at The Osthoff Resort. His operations experience includes his positions as assistant executive housekeeper, assistant front office manager and manager of guest services of The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. Klemme attended the University of Wisconsin and graduated from Lakeshore Technical College, Sheboygan.
Susan Engler's successful sales background in and outside the resort industry will be an asset for Blue Harbor's sales team. Engler joins Blue Harbor from Time Warner Cable Media. She previously was sales manager at The American Club in Kohler. She also served as director of sales for the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Kohler from 2001 to 2004. Earlier in her career she served 11 years with Kaytee Products Inc., where she held the titles of Midwest divisional sales manager, director of sales and regional sales manager. Ms. Engler is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
Laurie Hobbs came to Blue Harbor after serving as director of marketing for Destination Hotels in Illinois and more than five years at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, Florida. In addition to being a consultant for leading US companies, Ms. Hobbs was vice president at Edelman Worldwide, the #1 international PR and communications agency. For more than 15 years at Edelman she worked on many top corporate, travel and hospitality accounts including the National Tour Association, American Express and Marcus Hotels. She began her career at Financial Shares Corporation and earned her bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University.
About Blue Harbor Resort
With stunning Lake Michigan beachfront and water views, Blue Harbor features 244 suites and villas, more than 17,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a 54,000 square-foot indoor waterpark entertainment area, a new and expanded full service spa, three restaurants, and recreation amenities including watersports, golf and more. This Victorian style landmark is a favorite for leisure travelers and groups because of its proximity to Midwest gateway cities.
The Resort is located in the Harbor Center District in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, a city known as the "Malibu of the Midwest" for its scenic waterfront, sailing, boating, and fresh water surfing. It has also received many accolades including Best Places to Raise a Family by Bloomberg and other national organizations.
Visit BlueHarborResort.com or call 1.866.701.BLUE for details.
SOURCE Blue Harbor Resort & Spa
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