Overland Park, KS – Aug. 17, 2016 – Michael Watson, named “Business Person of the Year” last spring by the Halifax, Va., County Chamber of Commerce; Employer of the Year by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services; national Diamond General Manager by Marriott International, Inc.; and winner of True North Hotel Group’s “Truest North Award,” has been appointed by True North as general manager of the award-winning Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Leavenworth, Kan.

The 90-room hotel, managed by True North and developed by Ferguson Properties, won Marriott International’s 2015 Opening Hotel of the Year award among all new Fairfield Inn & Suites hotels in the brand.

“Michael’s track record speaks for itself,” said Richard Merkel, president and chief operating officer, True North Hotel Group. “His trademark eye-on-the-ball management talents consistently serve up excellent experiences for his guests, staff and community.”

“I’m excited by the opportunity to further my career with True North Hotel Group and Ferguson Properties at a hotel with such a stellar reputation as the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Leavenworth,” said Watson. “I look forward to building on the hotel’s successes and to carrying on its award-winning pedigree while continuing to grow our presence in the community.”

The hotel is located near the main gate of historic Fort Leavenworth, the oldest active U.S. Army post west of Washington, D.C.