Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort announces the addition of two senior executives; Mark Hodgdon appointed GM and Ron Carnes named Director of Engineering

DESTIN, FL, Sept. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort today announced the appointment of Mark Hodgdon as General Manager, and Ron Carnes as Director of Engineering.

Mark Hodgdon joins Sandestin as General Manager with more than 30 years of hospitality experience, including management of some of North America's leading properties and destinations.  He has a strong commitment to operational excellence, customer service and to the staff who help achieve those important benchmarks.

Hodgdon's impressive hospitality background includes leadership at Del Mar Development at Villas Del Mar, where he oversaw operations and property management for five star resort communities in Los Cabos, Mexico.  He was managing director of The Grand America Hotel, a 775-room luxury hotel in Salt Lake City that was the headquarters hotel for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.  Hodgdon was also general manager at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona, a five-star property that led in 22 company service categories.

His past experience also includes positions as vice president and general manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena, California, where he was involved in the design and development of a new spa and major hotel renovation.

Hodgdon also served as general manager at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona and as well as at the Grand Wailea Resort, Hotel & Spa, a five diamond resort in Hawaii.  He was previously executive assistant manager for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, during which time he was at the Ritz Carlton Buckhead and the Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel.  He began his career with Hyatt Hotels Corporation, serving as a manager in various aspects of the rooms division including front office and housekeeping.

Hodgdon has a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and has served on a variety of boards for community and hospitality organizations.

In related news, Ron Carnes joins Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort as Director of Engineering with more than 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry.

Carnes' impressive hospitality background includes management of operations and maintenance at ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals, located in Northwest Florida. Carnes is also a licensed Community Association Manager (CAM) in the State of Florida. With his commitment to employees and customer satisfaction, Carnes specializes in maintenance, housekeeping operations, rental operations, rental reservations and front office operations.

Prior to entering the hospitality industry, Carnes served more than 14 years in the United States Air Force where he served as an Operations Systems Management Specialist overseeing flight schedules and training for aircrew members.

Carnes has received several honors and awards including employee of the quarter in 2003, 2007, 2009 and 2010 at ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals. He resides in Fort Walton Beach with his wife Tracy and is a proud grandfather of Jaycee and Hayley.

About Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort was named the #1 resort on Florida's Emerald Coast and one of the best family beaches by iVillage.  The resort invites guests to a world of 2,400 acres and 30 charming neighborhoods featuring 1,300 vacation rentals, condominiums, villas, town homes and the best in Destin hotel accommodations.  A member of Visit South Walton and Visit Florida, the resort has more than seven miles of beaches and pristine bay front.  It also features four championship golf courses, 15 world-class tennis courts, 19 swimming pools, a 113-slip marina, a fitness center and spa, meeting space and The Village of Baytowne Wharf, a pedestrian village with shopping, dining and nightlife.  Call 1-866-91-BEACH or visit sandestin.com for details.

Guests and prospective guests are invited to download Sandestin's APP for iPhone and Android devices, or become a Facebook Fan or Twitter follower for the latest events and news.

SOURCE Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort