A BID FAREWELL

BY ANGELINA COVINGTON, GENERAL MANAGER

For my longtime colleague and dear friend, Gary Brielmayer, becoming a hotel general manager was inevitable.

When I say he grew up living and breathing the hotel industry, I mean he was literally raised in the penthouse of what used to be the Ramada on Okaloosa Island. Over the years, Gary has shared with me memories of his storybook upbringing; from waking up early to help the kitchen prepare steamship round roasts to assisting his father — the hotel’s general manager — with his daily task list.

I believe this is what created the strong work ethic, wisdom and intrepidness with which Gary has led Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa as the General Manager for the past 13 years.

He first joined our resort 25 years ago as Director of Food and Beverage, whereupon he worked his way up to Director of Operations and, in the winter of 2009, became General Manager.

When I asked what kept him going throughout all those years, he said, “Stubbornness … no way I was going to quit, no matter what obstacle came my way.”

In my 19 years of working alongside him, I have tried to adopt and conduct myself with that same tenacity. Gary always welcomed a challenge, and his doggedness is what got us through some of our most difficult times.

I was proud to witness his leadership when Hurricane

Michael devastated Northwest Florida in 2018, and he helped secure a base of operations for the U.S. Coast Guard here on-site. I was even more proud to watch as he navigated our team through a worldwide pandemic in 2020, making our safety a top priority during uncertain times.

Gary is someone who truly cares about his community and its people. Beyond our property, he has sat on boards for the Walton Chamber of Commerce and our local tourist development council, Visit South Walton.

He is the proud father of two, both of whom he is looking forward to spending lots of time with — and getting in all the fishing and diving he can! — in his retirement.

Here at Hilton Sandestin Beach, we will miss our jovial, cowboy boot-wearing General Manager. Gary, we are so thankful for all that you have done in your tenure, and we wish you the best of health, happiness and fulfillment in your new adventures.