Clearwater Beach, Fla. – April 23, 2014 — Jay R. Campbell has been named general manager of the 416-room Hilton Clearwater Beach resort nestled on 10 acres of white-sand coastline in Clearwater Beach, Florida, according to Ted Ratcliff, senior vice president operations, US eastern region. Campbell will oversee the day-to-day operations of the hotel which is centrally located near two major airports; Tampa International Airport (TIA) and St. Petersburg/Clearwater International (PIE), next door to Pier 60 and within walking distance to the Beach’s best restaurants and shopping. He will assume his new post, effective immediately. He most recently held the position of general manager of Hiltons of Branson.

Campbell brings over 30 years of leadership experience in hotel management, finance and operations. He began in the food and beverage industry in 1979 and worked for Houlihan’s Restaurants and LA Cafes holding several key management positions including vice president of operations. In 1987, he joined the hotel industry as director of food and beverage for the Hotel Park Tucson where he remained for two years before joining Renaissance Hotels and Resorts in Dallas, Texas. After six years, Campbell joined Remington Hotel Corporation in Indianapolis before taking the appointment of general manager for Meristar Hotels and Resorts. Interstate Hotels brought him to Missouri in 2000 where he received the General Manager of the Year award in 2002. He was appointed general manager of Millennium hotels in 2006 where he remained until 2010. Prior to joining Hiltons of Branson, he was interim general manager of the Radisson Branson.

His leadership skills and experience in motivating associates has won him many accolades and awards including Business Excellence Award, President’s Hotel award and the president of the hotel association in St. Louis. He holds a BA Degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management from Michigan State University, School of Business. He enjoys tennis, skiing, golf and water sports.

Hilton Clearwater Beach resort is within walking distance of many area attractions, restaurants and shopping venues. Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the hotel is an easy stroll from dining, shopping and water sports. Select from a variety of fishing and dining boat tours at Pier 60 and Clearwater Marina where hotel staff can arrange wave runner rentals, snorkeling trips, deep sea fishing and private charters. Named by USA Today as Florida’s Top Beach Town for 2013, as well as “North America’s Best Place to Watch a Sunset,” Clearwater Beach offers beautiful beaches and sparkling waters.