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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