Derek J. EllisPrior to returning to the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa where he initially opened the 950-room luxury property as Director of Rooms Operations in 2002, Ellis was most recently the General Manager of the JW Marriott Houston Galleria. Ellis brings extensive industry experience to his new position and has spent 27 years within the Marriott organization. He has held similar leadership roles throughout his career including General Manager of the Houston Marriott at the Texas Medical Center and Resident Manager at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona. While Ellis was Hotel Manager at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio from 2009 to 2013, the property achieved Hotel of the Year, the Operations Excellence Award and the Food and Beverage Excellence Award, all in 2011.