Crestline
Hotels & Resorts today announced the appointment of Rick Thompson as
Director of Sales & Marketing for the full-service, upscale 256 guest room
Newport News Marriott at City Center.  The Hotel and Conference Center is
scheduled to open in the summer of 2006, and will be the focal point of the
new City Center at Oyster Point.  The property is a joint partnership between
Armada Hoffler and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Newport
News, VA, and is being managed by Crestline Hotels & Resorts.Mr. Thompson returns to Crestline Hotels & Resorts with more than two
decades of hospitality industry and business sales experience.  He has been
the Director of Sales and Marketing for the Marriott Bay Point Resort in
Panama City Beach, FL, previously managed by Crestline.  Prior to joining the
Company, he held sales management positions with the Hilton Sandestin Beach &
Golf Resort, FL and the Perdido Beach Resort, AL.  Thompson’s additional
business sales experience includes positions with Lyons Safety, Thomson
McKinnon-Securities and Dean Witter Reynolds.
    “Rick’s extensive sales background, coupled with his experience in
managing large resort and conference facilities, is the perfect blend of
business expertise to help successfully open the new Newport News Marriott at
City Center,” said Vicki Denfeld, SVP of Sales & Marketing, Crestline Hotels &
Resorts.  “This is a significant property for the City of Newport News and for
Crestline.  Rick brings both the personal and professional skills to help this
hotel become a significant part of this growing community,” added Denfeld.
  Mr. Thompson is a graduate of Manatee Junior College in Bradenton, FL.  He
holds membership in the HSMAI and MPI.  His past community involvement
included serving on the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce Committee for its Annual
Business Show, and he has been a member of the Panama City Beach Sports
Marketing Committee.
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