PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico (March 4, 2015) – CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa welcomes David Gauna as general manager of the four-diamond luxury beachfront resort. With 20 years of experience under the Marriott brand, Gauna will focus on increasing guest satisfaction and exceeding expectations in the Puerto Vallarta hospitality market.
Gauna will be responsible for implementing business strategies and measureable goals as the resort’s new leader. His business savvy and strategic leadership skills will be crucial in managing the 433-room property, with an additional emphasis on groups and corporate meetings guests. Having experience with Marriott’s in Cancun, Costa Rica and Aruba, Gauna brings influential hospitality and cultural experience to the CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta team.
“David’s results-oriented skillset is a noteworthy asset to the CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa team,” commented Kevin Schwab, area vice president for Caribbean and Latin America Marriott Hotels, “he has grown with the Marriott family, and we’re looking forward to watching his continued success with this property.”
Now overseeing CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa, considered the Marriott International flagship in the Mexican Pacific Coast, Gauna will continue to develop and improve the resort’s signature cultural programming. Highlights include the signature Ohtli Spa featuring traditional Huichol therapies, Catch of the Day experiences, Sea Turtle Rescue Program and the onsite agave garden – being one of the only resorts in the world to grow agave and produce a proprietary brand of tequila.
Gauna began his Marriott career in 1996 as a housekeeping supervisor at the CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort. There, he held various positions including front office manager and director of room operations. Gauna moved on to resident manager of Los Suenos Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort in Costa Rica and then director of operations at the JW Marriott Mexico City, where his achievements and leadership helped him advance to general manager. In 2011, Gauna successfully opened the Courtyard by Marriott Mexico City Airport as general manager. In 2013, Gauna was awarded General Manager of the Year for the CALA Region as well as the Diamond General Manager Award for the Courtyard brand.
