Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa Appoints Two New Executives

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. January 29, 2013

January 29, 2013 - Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida - January 29, 2013 - Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, a premier resort nestled along the Northeast Florida coast in Ponte Vedra Beach, has recently appointed Chris Bracken as Director of Sales and Marketing and Char Miller as Marketing Manager. Together, the two will utilize their valued expertise to oversee the golf resort's ongoing marketing and communication efforts.

"We're very delighted to welcome Chris and Char to the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa team," said Tom Manno, General Manager of Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa. "Chris' comprehensive knowledge and prior experience with the resort, combined with Char's expertise at managing marketing and public relations for one of the biggest names in the hospitality industry, will prove to be a great asset for our resort's vision for growth."

Chris Bracken , with over 30 years of experience at upscale hotels and resorts - including more than a decade at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa - Chris Bracken oversees all sales and marketing efforts including creating strategies for increasing business from the group clientele and leveraging the resort's incomparable golf experience to draw leisure and business travelers alike.

"It's really great to be back and rounding up business for the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa again," said Bracken. "This region of Florida has so much to offer, and I've always felt right at home in this community. I'm delighted to be working with such a great team, and I look forward to inspiring them to success on every level."

Chris Bracken returned to Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa as Director of Sales and Marketing from Doral Resort & Spa in Miami, where among other accomplishments he booked the first NFL team into the resort. Previously, Bracken held a slew of positions in his chosen field including Director of Sales and Marketing at Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club in Redondo Beach, California; Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Visit Jacksonville; and Director of Marketing at Don CeSar Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida.

As Director of Sales and Marketing at Sawgrass from 1994 to 2007, Bracken hired, supervised and developed 21 managers-many of whom are still at the resort. He also developed successful relationships with the PGA Tour, NFL and NCAA to increase revenue and host high profile teams. Bracken got his start with the Marriott Corporation in sales management for Marriott's Lincolnshire Resort back in 1982.

Born and raised in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Bracken holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Wisconsin - Stout. He currently resides in Ponte Vedra, Florida.

Char Miller manages Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa's day-to-day implementation of marketing and communications initiatives. Miller arrived at the resort from The Big Easy where she spent 12 years as Director of Public Relations for The Ritz-Carlton Hotels of New Orleans, the city's premier luxury hotel complex. Along the way, she also acted as Area Director of Public Relations for The Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Hotels of New Orleans where she oversaw marketing and communication initiatives for 17 properties immediately following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

Prior to joining Ritz-Carlton, Miller held the position of Director of Marketing at Duke Unlimited in New Orleans from 1998-2000; at Marketing Basics in Aspen, Colorado from 1995-1998; and at Sizeler Architects in New Orleans from 1993-1995. She got her start as Director of Marketing for West Coast Women in Tampa, Florida, in 1988.

"I'm eager to get to know more about the famed First Coast and to contribute to Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa's success and growth," said Miller. "Ponte Vedra is a very welcoming environment, with top-notch golf courses and pristine beaches, and I look forward to spreading the word to leisure, group and business travelers alike."

A native of New Orleans, Miller earned a Bachelor of Liberal Arts Degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She currently resides in Ponte Vedra, Florida.