Phoenix, Arizona (Decmeber 4 2017) – JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa has appointed Derek J. Ellis to Resort Manager and James Anderson to Director of Sales & Marketing, according to General Manager and Area General Manager Steve Hart.
Prior to returning to the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa where he initially opened the 950-room luxury property as Director of Rooms Operations in 2002, Ellis was most recently the General Manager of the JW Marriott Houston Galleria. Ellis brings extensive industry experience to his new position and has spent 27 years within the Marriott organization.
He has held similar leadership roles throughout his career including General Manager of the Houston Marriott at the Texas Medical Center and Resident Manager at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona. While Ellis was Hotel Manager at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio from 2009 to 2013, the property achieved Hotel of the Year, the Operations Excellence Award and the Food and Beverage Excellence Award, all in 2011.
James Anderson was recently named Director of Sales & Marketing for the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. He was most recently the Director of Group Sales for the 1,511-room Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas. During his 12 year tenure at the Gaylord, Anderson was Director of West Coast Sales and Director of Northeast Sales/Senior Sales Executive before being promoted to Director of Group Sales. He has held similar positions at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis and the Tan-Tar-A Resort & Golf Club in Osage Beach, Missouri.
