Hyatt Place Fredericksburg Names General Manager
The University of Mary Washington Foundation and Interstate Hotels & Resorts have appointed James A. Fournier as general manager for the 93-room Hyatt Place Fredericksburg hotel currently under construction. Located in the Eagle Village mixed-use development complex between Mary Washington Hospital and the University of Mary Washington, the Hyatt Place broke ground last August and plans to open in the fall of 2013. The hotel is owned by the University of Mary Washington Foundation and will be operated by Interstate Hotels & Resorts.
As general manager for the hotel, Fournier will cultivate and lead the hotel’s executive team and manage the hotel through the pre-opening phase into opening and full operations, with responsibility for day-to-day operations upon opening.
Fournier brings 23 years of experience to his role, including 12 years in operations leadership as a general manager with Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn by Marriott properties. Most recently, he was general manager at the Residence Inn in Alexandria, where he successfully managed the hotel through the construction phase to opening.
During his tenure with Marriott, Fournier received numerous accolades, including the Top Operations Excellence Award in 2010 based on high quality assurance and guest service satisfaction scores.
“Jim is a top performer in the hotel business and brings the level of service and experience to our hotel that both we as owners, and Hyatt as a global brand, will expect from a general manager,” said Jeff Rountree, CEO of the UMW Foundation. “Our goal is to run a hotel with the customer service and friendliness of a Ritz Carlton, but within the body of a select-service hotel product. We believe this can be done and we believe Jim is the right man for the job.”
Fournier has a degree from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass.
The premium select-service Hyatt Place Fredericksburg hotel is located at 1241 Jefferson David Highway. Upon completion, the hotel will have 93 spacious guestrooms featuring the Hyatt Grand Bed™ and Cozy Corner sofa-sleeper; 2,000 square feet of meeting space; an indoor pool and fitness center; Gallery Menu, Fresh 24/7 and Gallery Market for a la carte items; a coffee and spirits bar; a complimentary hot breakfast; and complimentary Wi-Fi in guestrooms and throughout the hotel.