Brevard County Local, Tom Williamson, Named General Manager Of The Year By Industry Association

By  //  October 14, 2016

Williamson nominated by staff without knowledge

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Tom Williamson was selected from a list of nominees which included some of the most prestigious hotels in Florida. Tom is pictured here with his wife of 32-years, Diane.

BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA – Tom Williamson, General Manager of Hampton Inn by Hilton & Courtyard by Marriott Cocoa Beach/ Cape Canaveral was named General Manager of the Year by the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association at the recent Annual Gala in Orlando.

Williamson was selected from a list of nominees which included some of the most prestigious hotels in Florida.

General Manager of both hotels since 1998, Williamson was nominated without his knowledge  by his staff. A portion of their nomination read “Tom’s calm demeanor, leading by example, and setting the gold standard for employee recognition, as well as fair and equal treatment, are just some of the qualities that make Tom the obvious choice for this award.

Tom is known to step in where needed, behind the grill, at the dishwasher or with a guest need. He is personally involved in all departments,  takes time to get acquainted with all employees as an individual, showing interest and compassion and creating  happy hospitable teams”.

After graduating from the University of Maryland, Williamson started his hospitality career as a dishwasher in a restaurant at a Colorado ski resort, and within three years he was running the restaurant.

He then became the Assistant General Manager at a  resort near the restaurant that had a lodge, condominiums, a conference center and three restaurants.

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FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Theri mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $82 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy and more than 1.1 million employees

A few years later he moved to Florida to run the Marco Island Yacht and Tennis Club. The owner of the club then brought him to Orlando to run a hotel, and Tom stayed in Orlando for 11 years. For the past 18 years Tom has been a General Manager and Partner with Ocean Partners Associates, based in Cocoa Beach.

Being admired and respected doesn’t stop at the hotel doors, Williamson’s actively involved in numerous community activities and business affiliations.

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He is currently serving as Chairman of the county’s Tourism and Development Council, President of the Cocoa Beach Hotel Association and sits on both the Merritt Island High School Hospitality Academy, and Cocoa Beach High School International Business Academy.

Williamson also serves as a board member of the Space Coast Chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

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