FORT WORTH, Texas–The Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown has established a five-member senior executive team responsible for guiding the property’s vision and elevating the guest experience as the hotel nears completion of one of the most extensive hospitality transformations ever in the Fort Worth market.
The Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown, located at 1701 Commerce Street, is managed by Aimbridge Hospitality, a leading, global hospitality management company and the world’s largest third-party operator known for delivering outstanding service and creating memorable guest experiences every day with every interaction.
Headed by General Manager Damien O’Connor, who joined the Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown in April 2022, the senior executive team brings more than 80 years of combined experience in the hospitality industry, including decades in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, to the hotel.
The senior executive team members are:
- Courtney Towson was named Director of Sales and Marketing for the Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown in June 2022. Towson, who has 15-plus years of experience, was most recently Director of Sales and Marketing for The Sinclair, Autograph Collection in Fort Worth. Prior to The Sinclair, she was with the Gaylord Texan for more than 10 years.
- Rosa Morakis, Director of Human Resources, has held similar positions at several hotel brands, including Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, DoubleTree and Radisson. Morakis, who was born and raised in Brazil and lived several years in Greece, speaks Portuguese, English, Spanish and Greek.
- Bill Richards, Director of Finance, has more than two decades of experience in hotel accounting and finance, and has been an Aimbridge Hospitality team member for many years.
- Kara Anderson, Director of Food and Beverage, is a one-time Starbucks barista – and the first-ever certified tea master for the chain. She has been at the Beverly Hills Marriott for several years and recently returned home to Fort Worth.
“We have put together a first-rate senior executive team with decades of experience and knowledge of the industry,” said O’Connor, who has more than 25 years of experience working at four- and five-diamond hotels. “Together we’re committed to turning the hotel into a must-stay, top-of-the-list property.”
The 403-room Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown is across the street from the Fort Worth Convention Center, the popular Water Gardens and the new addition to the Texas A&M University Law School, and a short walk to some 75 restaurants and dozens of entertainment venues in the heart of downtown Fort Worth. The hotel is a short drive from The Stockyards, Texas Christian University (TCU) and the Fort Worth Zoo.
Construction on the $45 million transformation – one of the largest-ever hotel renovations in the Fort Worth region – started in fall 2022, and is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.
From the new exterior and signage to the refresh inside, the transformation will create a brighter and more open hotel, a frequent request from guests. The transformation includes a redesigned entryway, more suites and several new work-space studios ideal for small meetings.
The Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown will also debut a signature restaurant-bar named West+Stone that will serve breakfast to late-night dinners, while an all-day menu and dozens of beverages for in-hotel dining or takeaway will be available from &More by Sheraton.
Construction has been taking place in phases, allowing the twin-tower hotel and its almost 30,000 square feet of conference space to remain open during much of the project. Construction has moved to the entryway and conference space in recent months.
When completed, the second-floor conference space will feature an updated ballroom, new carpet, lighting, furniture and the latest audiovisual technology. The spaces are adaptable to meet the needs of small to large events.
“Our guests, whether they are here for a wedding, a weekend getaway or a weeklong conference, will find every space, from the conference rooms to the guest rooms, appealing, comfortable and spacious,” Towson said.
Guests are already enjoying and giving high marks to the new guest rooms that feature platform beds, 55-inch televisions, adjustable work tables, numerous charging outlets and power sources, and much larger bathrooms.
The Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown features 37 suites, including three expansive suites. The top-floor Trinity Suite boasts a large parlor and two bedrooms with king-sized beds.
“We’ve been able to accommodate guests and their many needs, while also moving forward on building what is, in many ways, a brand-new hotel,” O’Connor said. “We want to ensure the best-possible experience for our guests and be their first choice in Fort Worth.”
Sheraton Hotels has always been a timeless, upscale pioneer in hospitality. It is Marriott International’s most global brand, positioned within the Premium tier, with nearly 450 hotels in over 70 countries and spanning six continents. Sheraton has embarked on a global transformation to create a new and welcoming environment for our target guest, the Team Player. The new Sheraton has been designed to embrace our mantra of, “Where the World Comes Together.”
“When we are done, we are going to open a lot of eyes to what is possible with the right team in place and a lot of hard work,” O’Connor said. “We will be better in every way possible.”
