MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (June 6, 2016)DoubleTree Resort by Hilton, Myrtle Beach Oceanfront, formerly Springmaid Beach Resort, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has announced the appointment of Joanna Patterson-Rizkallah as the resort’s director of sales and marketing. A former resident of Myrtle Beach, she assumes the position as the resort completes a multi-million dollar renovation and repositioning and prepares to re-open as DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Myrtle Beach Oceanfront in September 2016. Her responsibilities at the newly redesigned ocean front resort include shaping and executing all sales and marketing strategies for group and leisure markets; developing new programs to maximize opportunities and exceed revenue goals; management of the public relations and advertising initiatives of the resort; and overseeing the performance management, coaching, recruiting and selection of the sales team.

“Joanna’s tenure in the hospitability industry, combined with her familiarity and passion for tourism in Myrtle Beach, make her an ideal addition to the new executive team,” said Mike Frits, general manager, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Myrtle Beach Oceanfront. “She’s been a part of the Hilton family for many years and exemplifies the commitment to outstanding service and hospitality for which the brand is known.”

A 40-year veteran of the hospitality and tourism industry, Patterson-Rizkallah was most recently director of sales and marketing for Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort in Clearwater Beach, Florida, but her distinguished career also includes positions in Myrtle Beach’s hospitality industry. She was director of catering at the Hilton Myrtle Beach, preopening group sales manager for the Radisson at Kingston Plantation, (now Embassy Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront) and director of convention sales for all seven Sands Resorts.

Patterson-Rizkallah first moved to Myrtle Beach in 1981 to join her parents, owners of Sands Furniture and Patterson Mercantile, which later became Pat-Mor Salvage Furniture Outlet.

“I’m honored and excited to be back in the place that I call home and at a resort that’s such a big part of this community,” Patterson-Rizkallah said. “Tourism is vital to the local economy and the fully renovated Springmaid will continue to be a central part of the vibrant industry here in Myrtle Beach.”

For more information about Springmaid Beach Resort, call 866-764-8501 or visit SpringmaidBeach.com.