Jim Williams, with more than 16 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry, was promoted from his current position as Director of Marketing for the complex which includes the Marriott Hotel, Embassy Suites and the Benton Convention Center, managed by Noble. 

�Jim has a proven record in the hospitality industry and is an exceptional person,� said Tim Loughman, Managing Director. �His extensive background and numerous skills will aid in leading our Embassy Suites and the entire complex into the direction we are heading - the very best hospitality venue in the region.�

Williams was most recently the General Manager for Noble�s Courtyard by Marriott in Winston-Salem and has been successful at directing several other hotel renovations and new openings. Williams was responsible for opening a 303-room Marriott hotel in Columbus, Ohio and later received the Marriott �Newcomer of the Year� and �Best Hotel Opening� awards in 1998. 

A 1989 graduate of Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management, Williams is president of the Forsyth County Tourism Alliance and is a board member of the Greater Winston-Salem Sports Commission. Jim and his wife Andrea have three children Katarina, 10, Alex, 8, and Christopher, 6.

Ron L. Stephens, a North Carolina native, was most recently Vice President/Director of Sales and Marketing for the High Point Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

�Ron will be a dynamic addition to our management team due to his extensive experience within North Carolina and the Triad,� said Tim Loughman, Managing Director of the complex. �The relationships and trust he�s built over the years to bring visitors and convention groups to this area will benefit not only the hotels and convention center but also the downtown area and Winston-Salem�s economy.�

In addition to his most recent position, Stephens� experience also includes a Vice President and Director of Sales with the Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and several positions at the Holiday Inn � Four Seasons Towne Centre in Greensboro. 

�Ron is very well respected in our industry for his professionalism, customer loyalty, creativity, knowledge of the marketplace, and in general, his highly effective work,� said Bob McCoy, President of the Winston-Salem Convention & Visitors Bureau. �We look forward to working with Ron and all of the Noble management staff to partner in the promotion of this beautiful new facility.� 

Stephens will be responsible for the overall marketing efforts for the Twin City Quarter which consists of the Marriott Hotel, Embassy Suites and the Benton Convention Center.  Stephens earned a Bachelor of Music Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, December 1979. He is also a Certified Hospitality Marketing Executive (CHME), Hotel Sales and Marketing Association International, November 1989.

Noble Investment Group

Noble Investment Group is a leading national hospitality organization that conducts business through three, wholly-owned strategic divisions. Noble Capital Group makes ownership investments in luxury and upscale hotels, resorts and convention/conference centers. Noble Development Group is a preeminent developer of first class hospitality and mixed use developments, and Noble Management Group is the company's award-winning operating arm. Noble Management Group operates more than 5,000 hotel and resort guest rooms including over 500,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, convention and conference centers, championship golf courses, spas, and fine dining operations, together with approximately 7,000 hotel rooms operated by Alliance Hospitality Management, a majority-owned affiliate of Noble. Since 1979, Noble Investment Group and its predecessors have developed and acquired more than $900 million in hospitality assets. In the past year, the company began development on and acquired an aggregate of $200 million in hospitality investments.

Betsy Annese
336-722-1921