(Richmond Hill, GA) – June 2011 – Kermit Griffin, Executive Director and Chef at Richmond Hill City Center announced the appointment of Ms. Andrea M. Powers as Director of Sales at the popular, multi-use meeting and event facility. 
 
Powers, a resident of Richmond Hill, GA, has ten years experience in hospitality and has worked in a variety of segments of hotel management including Guest Services, Catering, Conference Services, and Director of Sales.  Her experience includes positions held in Alabama, Texas, Kentucky, Indiana, and Missouri with Wyndham, Holiday Inn, LaQuinta and several boutique hotels. 
 
She also served as Hotel Manager for Clipper Cruise Lines where she was responsible for all hotel operations including galley, dining room, lounge, housekeeping and has travelled extensively to Alaska, Canada, US East Coast, US West Coast, Central and South America.  Most recently, she was Catering Sales Manager at the Mansion on Forsyth Park in Savannah. She holds a bachelor of science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Purdue University. 
 
From 2007 – 2008, Andrea served as Program Manager and Catering Manager for Food Operations at Fort Rucker, Alabama.  Fort Rucker is the primary flight training base for Army Aviation and is home to the United States Army Aviation Center for Excellence (USAACE) and the United States Army Aviation Museum.  Andrea was directly responsible for managing the Catering and Kitchen staff, monthly financial reports, establishing menus, room setups, as well as the hiring, scheduling, training and supervision of catered events. 

Andrea’s husband of eight years is career military and is stationed at Fort Stewart, GA with the United States Army Military Police.  He has served for six years and has been deployed to Iraq and to Korea and is the proud recipient of The Purple Heart, the US Military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving with the US military. Their 3-year old daughter is preparing to attend Pre-Kindergarten class in the fall.

In her role as Director of Sales, Powers will be responsible for developing sales strategies, forecasting and budgets for the 22,800 square-foot, LEED-registered facility that sits on 335 acres of community parkland in Richmond Hill.  She will assume responsibility for the overall direction of the sales team, assist the Executive Director, and analyze current market trends in the execution of sales initiatives in the area.  She will be a liaison between the municipally owned facility and the local community. 
 
Executive Director and Chef Kermit Griffin commented, “Andrea has the ideal background for Richmond Hill City Center, and her commitment to the local community will be mutually advantageous to all.  We are delighted that Andrea’s experience in food & beverage will also be instrumental to the overall success of the property.”
 
Richmond Hill City Center is ideally settled only 12 miles south of Savannah on historic wetlands amid 335 acres of community parkland. Built and owned by the city of Richmond Hill, GA, the facility offers a stunning setting to enhance your meeting, wedding or community event. Handsomely decorated, the 22,800 square-foot pride of Richmond Hill is the first LEED-certified facility in Bryan County and is designed to support the local and regional community. From large conferences to smaller intimate gatherings or private events, the on-site catering and award-winning chef’s savory cuisine make for a satisfying and memorable experience.  Visit:  http://www.richmondhillcitycenter.com/

The Wilderman Group is a woman-owned hospitality management company that provides focused services both customized and cutting edge with a concentration in the Carolinas and the Southeast. They specialize in civic and community developments and creating effective and productive environments for meetings and conferences. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, TWG is a full-service hospitality management firm with a team of industry experts in all areas of hospitality including operations, sales and marketing management, food and beverage, and environmental programs. They are steadfast in their commitment to environmental stewardship and are proud and active members of the US Green Building Council’s Charlotte Chapter, the South Carolina Chapter, the Georgia Chapter, and the International Association of Conference Centers. Visit The Wilderman Group at http://thewildermangroup.com.