Columbus – April 23, 2018 – Renaissance Hotels announced today that the executive leadership team is now in place for the first full-service hotel in Westerville, Ohio. The team will lead the way as the new property prepares for its spring grand opening. The Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel (Renaissance Westerville) is finishing up construction and is scheduled to open this May.
Located near Polaris Parkway and Uptown Westerville, the modern American lake house-inspired hotel will feature 222 rooms and 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and banquet space with the capacity to seat up to 750 guests.
With a heavy local focus on the Westerville community, the hotel will feature local artists and musicians, as well as offer “Navigators” to support guests seeking distinct Westerville experiences. In addition, the hotel’s restaurant, The Two-One, was named after the 21st Amendment, honoring Westerville’s rich history in prohibition as the "Dry Capital of the World." The name was selected by local resident, Chris Carlisle following an online contest.
“As we near our grand opening, it is imperative to have the right team in place that embodies the brand and ideals of the Renaissance,” said Scott Starek, general manager of the Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel. “While our hotel has its own unique look and feel that is ideal for weddings, corporate events and more, the sublime customer service our guests will experience is consistent throughout the entire Renaissance family. With a knowledgeable staff and a keen eye on providing exceptional hospitality, we look forward to opening our doors and making each visit memorable.”
The executive leadership team includes:
- Scott Starek, General Manager – Scott has been working at Marriott properties for nearly 15 years. He has spent time in Phoenix, AZ, St. Louis, MO and Cleveland, OH with Renaissance, Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Courtyard properties. This will be the third opening that he's been a part of and he feels each opening is more exciting than the last.
- Kevin Ball, Assistant General Manager – Before taking on the role, Kevin spent more than 20 years as a chef and food and beverage leader in numerous hotel brands and private clubs. For seven years, he ran the member and player hospitality tent at Augusta National Golf Club for the Masters Tournament. He serves as a member the American Culinary Federation's apprenticeship committee.
- Heather Turkay, Director of Sales and Marketing – Heather began her career at the Indianapolis Marriott North as a Sales Coordinator. Since that role, Heather is back to the Midwest after a lot of stops along the way. She brings with her 14 years of hospitality experience from all over—- Tennessee, Florida, Washington, and even Istanbul are some of the places that work and love (her husband is also a hotelier) has brought Heather.
Tyler Tremaine, Executive Chef – Prior to this role, Tyler held various chef positions with Marriot, Hilton, and was on the opening team for the Hideout at the Laylow Waikiki as well as 16 on the Park at the Residence Inn Baltimore.
