Steve Contos New VP and Managing Director of Grande Lakes Orlando
Peter Kacheris Named GM of the JW Marriott Orlando
ORLANDO, FL, August 23, 2006. Steve Contos, previously general manager of the 1,000-room JW Marriott Orlando has been promoted to vice president and managing director of the 500-acre Grande Lakes Orlando, a luxury estate that includes the JW Marriott as well as a 584-room Ritz-Carlton, a 40,000-square-foot Ritz-Carlton Spa, and an 18-hole championship golf course designed by two-time British Open winner Greg Norman. Peter Kacheris joins the JW Marriott Orlando as general manager.
As vice president and managing director of Grande Lakes Orlando, Mr. Contos will be responsible for all aspects of the operations, sales and marketing for the entire resort, including the two hotels, spa, golf club and resort programs. Mr. Contos, who has been with the Marriott Company for more than 25 years, was part of the opening team for the $600 million resort in July 2003.
Prior to his position at the JW Marriott Orlando, Mr. Contos was general manager at the JW Marriott Hotel Lenox, Atlanta and area general manager for all Marriott hotels in the Buckhead regional market. Previously he was at the Orlando World Center Marriott, the company's largest convention resort, where he started as director of food and beverage.
As general manager, Mr. Kacheris will oversee all operations for the JW Marriott Orlando. A 28-year veteran of the hospitality industry, he will provide strategic leadership to maintain the standards of the Marriott brand.
Mr. Kacheris has been with Marriott International for over 25 years. Prior to joining the JW Marriott Orlando, he was the hotel manager at the Orlando World Center Marriott; and before that, he was the General Manager for the JW Marriott Lenox and seven other Marriott properties in the Buckhead region. He is an active member of the Florida travel industry. He was chairman of the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association in 2005 and currently serves on its Executive Committee. Mr. Kacheris is also a former member of the Board of Directors for the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Grande Lakes is located 15 minutes from the Orlando International Airport, five minutes from the Orlando/Orange County Convention Center and minutes from the major theme parks.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
