Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, appoints new exec

SARASOTA — Longtime hotel executive Damien O'Riordan has been named general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, the third top official to run the property in the last two years.

O'Riordan was previously the general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt in Ireland, according to a release. A native of Cork, Ireland, he has also worked at Ritz-Carlton properties in Half Moon Bay, Calif.; Battery Park in New York City; Tysons Corner, Va; Georgetown in Washington, D.C.; and Rose Hall in Jamaica. He will move to Sarasota later this month, the hotel says.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of Damien O'Riordan's caliber leading our beautiful Sarasota resort and affiliated golf and beach clubs,” The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company Area Vice President Kate Monahan says in a release. “He has a long-standing history with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. His wide range of experiences make him the perfect fit for this unique property.” '¨

O'Riordan will oversee more than 500 employees at the 266-room property. He will also manage golf, spa and beach clubs and three residential facilities, the release states. O'Riordan replaces Bradford Jencks, who managed the hotel from late 2011 until early this year. Jencks replaced Jim McManemon, who oversaw the property for nine years.

“I am absolutely delighted to be taking on the role of general manager at one of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company's most beautiful resorts, offering so much to both guests and local residents of Sarasota,” O'Riordan says in the release.” '¨'¨