McKibbon Hospitality, an award-winning Hotel Management company announced the appointment of the three hospitality professionals that will lead the opening of Courtyard by Marriott Gainesville later this summer.
Wayne Cannon was named General Manager of the property and will oversee all operations regarding the 6-floor, 130-room property. Cannon, who has been with McKibbon since 2014, brings over 30 years of experience in hospitality to his new role. Most recently, Cannon served on the company’s corporate team as Operations Support Manager, deployed to properties throughout the southeast in transitional phases and undergoing renovations to provide leadership, coaching, and operational oversight. Throughout his career, he has managed hotels under several notable brand flags, including leading Courtyard properties in Athens and Tifton, The Glenn Hotel, an Autograph Collection by Marriott in Atlanta, as well as a variety of Holiday Inn Express, Hilton Garden Inn, and Hyatt Place properties throughout the state of Georgia.
Lauren Nicholson has been named Director of Sales, taking on the responsibility for the total revenue generation of the property. Nicholson joins McKibbon from Chateau Elan Winery & Resort where she served as Catering Sales Manager for more than two years, selling, booking, and executing large-scale functions and VIP events including 500-plus-guest weddings and galas. She also has experience leading a variety of events and connecting with clients from across the world. She previously served as Private Dining Sales Manager and Catering & Conference Services Coordinator for The Hotel at Avalon in Alpharetta.
David Guilford will serve as Chef & Beverage Director, responsible for overseeing elevated food & beverage service at the hotel’s in-house Courtyard Bistro and neighboring event space, The Vault at The National, the former Walton Jackson Building which has been repurposed into an event venue. Guilford brings over 40 years of restaurant and resort experience to his new role at McKibbon and recently came to the brand from Celebration Village Forsyth, a retirement resort in Suwanee, Georgia, where he worked as Chef and Food & Beverage Director. Throughout his time in the restaurant industry, he has gained experience in menu creation, ordering, inventory, catering large-scale functions, training, and more, from his roles as Sous Chef and Executive Chef for a variety of country clubs and golf clubs throughout Florida and Georgia, including Atlanta National Golf Club which was named Food & Beverage Operation of the Year for two consecutive years under his leadership.
“With Wayne, Lauren, and David at the helm, we are certain that Courtyard Gainesville is in trusted, hospitable hands,” Bruce Baerwalde, president of McKibbon Hospitality, said. “We congratulate them on their new roles and look forward to the many successes they’re sure to bring to this property as we gear up to open our doors and begin welcoming guests in the coming weeks.”
The forthcoming 77,000 sq. ft.Courtyard by Marriott Gainesville will offer a variety of modern accommodations, such as a fitness center, flexible communal areas, and an expansive outdoor terrace with bar service.
In a press release, McKibbon noted that The National – a revival and redevelopment of Gainesville’s long-vacant First National Bank building, Courtyard by Marriott Gainesville, and The Vault at The National are owned and developed by Capstone Property Group, LLC. McKibbon’s development and renovation arm, McKibbon Places, is managing the development and construction of the project with McKibbon Hospitality, operating the property upon completion.
Courtyard by Marriott Gainesville marks McKibbon’s 100th hotel in the town where the company got its start nearly 100 years ago. The project is located just one block from the site of the company’s first hotel project and just blocks away from McKibbon Hospitality’s Gainesville office.
