F
ive years into a banking career April
Sarver graduated from the University
of West Florida with a degree in
Communication Arts / Public Relations.
Five years of banking later, she made a
conscious decision to feel enriched and
successful in a career she was passionate
about.
April’s career rebirth in tourism marketing
began late 2010. As a Northwest Florida
native, she knew the impact of tourism and
was excited to be a part of it.
“I knew at a very young age that I’d
never want to live anywhere else. I like to
call myself a sunshine slinger, influencing
emerald coast business and leisure travel
everywhere I can”, April says.
Seven years into her tourism marketing
experience, April began her career at
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort as the
Director of Rental Sales. Six months later,
she had proven her work ethic and shared
her passion for marketing and PR, earning
a promotion to Director of Marketing and
Communications.
April continues, “In collaboration with
the best teammates a gal could ask for, I
feel successful and enriched, influencing
consumers through traditional and non-
traditional marketing and PR campaigns to
visit the most beautiful and expansive golf
and beach resort on the emerald coast. “
APRIL
SARVER
H
eather Cleveland began her career
with Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
14 years ago. After graduating from
Auburn University with a degree in Hotel &
Restaurant Management, she transitioned to
Food and Beverage and Conference Services
before her promotion to Director of Event
Management in 2013. She knew she wanted to
be in the hospitality industry at an early age.
“I had this glamorous vision of traveling the
world, working at different hotels and sampling
new cuisines along the way.” Says Heather.
Her passion became clear on the job at a
catering venue. Coordinating an event from
start to finish was incredibly gratifying for
Heather and she had to find a way to make a
career out of it.
According to Heather, event planning is a
fast-paced environment and requires a lot of
quick thinking and problem solving. She loves
the challenge of looking for creative solutions,
special touches and helping her clients uncover
that “WOW” factor.
Some of Heather’s most impactful
accomplishments include each unique event
where she and her team help to facilitate
successful meetings, events and conferences.
Additionally, she earned the title of Sandestin
Director of the year in 2016.
Heather notes, “Event planning can be
stressful, but my team is comprised of the most
fun-loving, competitive and caring individuals
around. They make coming to work everyday
something to look forward to.”
Director of Event Management
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
HEATHER
CLEVELAND
Sandestin.com/groups
F
ollowing an internship at Sandestin Golf
and Beach Resort, Lee Sailors graduated
from the University of Kentucky
with a degree in Hospitality Management.
She spent her middle and high school spring
breaks at Sandestin so it was a no-brainer when
presented with the opportunity.
After completing the internship, Lee spent
the next 4 years as the Club Manager at Burnt
Pine Golf Club. She moved into Rental Owner
Relations as a Rental Manager for 5 years
before earning the role as Director of Rental
Sales.
When asked about her success, Lee had
this to say, “I think, oftentimes, people have
hesitations when it comes to change. In my 9
years at Sandestin I have been through many
changes in consumer demand, leadership and
innovations. This has taught me to become
resilient and embrace new opportunities.”
Lee loves a Challenge and is motivated
by solution-finding for her clients and team
members. Lee goes on, “Sandestin is in the
relationship business.”
As the Director of Rental Sales in a vacation
rental company, Lee knows very well, the
value of relationships. Her number one goal is
to ensure that Sandestin is a good fit for each
individual property owner.
According to Lee, “It’s less about sales and
more about understanding the goals, being
transparent, and presenting owners with
unique options that we have to offer in helping
them achieve their goals.”
Director, Sandestin Rental Sales
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Sandestin.com/Sandestin-
property-management
LEE
SAILORS
Director of Marketing &
Communications
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Sandestin.com
WONDER WOMEN
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