It was 1984 when Marriott Vacation Club® got its start on Hilton Head Island as part of Marriott International, becoming the first major hospitality branded vacation club to enter the timeshare industry. This company milestone deserves to be celebrated — and we will. Our festivities will also be about cherishing the triumphs of our associates, the joys of our Owners and guests, and supporting the communities in which we live, work, and play.
Clarence Heyward – Engineer IIClarence Heyward’s role at Marriott’s Grande Ocean in Hilton Head, SC, may be Engineer II, but he’s also the proud leader of Grilling With the Guys. The event has been a weekly tradition at the property for more than 13 years, and brings Owners, guests, and associates together over their love of grilled food.
Every Tuesday, Clarence and the rest of “the Guys” fire up the grills to provide Owners and guests with a complimentary cookout. Clarence has led the event for 10 of the years it has been around – and he’s not planning to stop anytime soon.
“I’ve had a guest who’s been coming here since she was a little girl,” he said. “Now, she’s in college and still tells me that she doesn’t eat anybody else’s ribs but mine, so that’s a big honor.”
Clarence said his favorite part about Grilling With the Guys is how it helps create lifelong relationships. He hopes to continue leading the event until it’s his turn to pass the role on – only to someone who loves grilling just as much as he does!
Guest Services Associate Lead Rosa Delgado has worked at Marriott’s SurfWatch in Hilton Head, SC, for almost 16 years. She has also been recognized by a customer or manager for an outstanding performance more than 1,800 times through MVW’s Way to Go Program. That’s not hard to believe because Rosa is known by those around her for her smile and welcoming nature.
“I love people and I think, when you give good service, everybody wants to come here. And I don’t want them to come here and say ‘Oh, I’m bored.’ What? No, you cannot be bored with me. We’ll find something you can do, and believe me, they leave happy,” she said.
Rosa loves her resort family so much that she even had her wedding at Marriott’s SurfWatch. She plans to stay with the property for as long as she can.
“Well, to tell you the truth, I know that I have to retire someday, but right now I’m not thinking about retiring because I really enjoy what I do,” she said. “I feel like I could still give to Marriott like they have given back to me.”
Guest Services Associate Lead Wilma Clark is honored to have been recognized by a customer or manager for an outstanding performance more than 2,000 times throughout her 33-year career with MVW. She has spent most of that time as Front Office Supervisor at Marriott’s Heritage Club in Hilton Head, SC, where she always meets the needs of Owners and guests with enthusiasm.
“I love asking them what they need or just, when they have a request, making them feel like they’re home away from home,” Wilma said. “They’re always looking for me to give them a hug and when I’m off work, they’re concerned. They want to know if everything is alright.”
When a challenge comes her way, she keeps a smile on her face and a positive attitude.
“I always follow up with a guest to make sure that they are okay, and their problem has been resolved,” Wilma explained.
What’s next for Wilma? “Retirement!” She answered, laughingly. “I don’t want to look at other places. After Marriott, that’s it.”
In 2012, Marriott Vacations Worldwide became the first timeshare company to participate with Clean the World on their mission to help people in need by providing them with the critical hygiene tools they need to survive, while simultaneously diverting waste in our communities.
Approximately 50 of our U.S.-based managed properties (and counting) participate in Clean the World’s soap recycling program. To date, MVW has collected more than 128,000 pounds of used soap, helping to divert 122,000 pounds of plastic from landfills and distribute 638,000 new bars of soap through Clean the World’s recycling process. Thanks to our volunteers, who have donated hundreds of hours of their time, more than 13,000 hygiene kits have been assembled and donated to community nonprofits around the world!
As we enter a new year, we look forward to expanding our participation with Clean the World for more of our resorts and celebrating every pound of soap and plastic recycled!