Annual Excellence in Business Award
SANDESTIN - Mike Stange, president and chief executive officer at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and senior vice president of Intrawest Hospitality Management (IHM), was presented with the Excellence in Business Award from the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce in early December.
The Excellence in Business Award is given to Walton County professionals who demonstrate “overall stellar performances in the areas of growth, expansion, services, innovation, capital investments, community involvement and responsiveness to change.”
According to Dawn Moliterno, president and chief executive officer of the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce, Stange was nominated by several individuals who all commented on his wide spread support of local organizations and charities, and but most of all, the selfless giving of his valuable knowledge and time to further their cause.
“There isn't anyone in this community who hasn't been touched by the team at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort or Mike Stange,” said Moliterno. “He exemplifies excellence in business and we are so grateful for his many contributions.”
A 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Stange has grown the team of IHM from 750 employees in 1998 to over 1,600 in Northwest Florida alone in 2007. He currently oversees the lodging division at 10 IHM properties throughout Florida, California, Nevada, Canada and France, with another seven in various stages of opening. Stange also cultivated unique employee experience programs including employee housing, the e-Cornell learning system for career development and an annual service awards banquet celebrating long-time and loyal employees.
As vice president and general manager of Sandestin, Stange successfully re-branded the resort, aligned the resort’s vision, mission and values, opened The Village at Baytowne Wharf, added 60,000 square feet of meeting space to the resort, opened the Raven Golf Club, re-designed the Baytowne Golf Club and secured Sandestin as host to The Boeing Championship at Sandestin, Intrawest’s first-ever PGA Tour event.
Stange currently serves as a board member for the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce, the Walton County Tourist Development Council, Southern Innkeepers Association, Sacred Heart Development Board, and the Jamaican Central Labour Organization. He is a commissioner for the South Walton Fire District as well as an active member of the Sandestin Owners Association.
Senator Don Gaetz was presented with the Excellence in Leadership Award at the same Business to Business Lunch, held at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.