Mark Edwards has seen it all in nearly 40 years working at Marriott-branded properties – hurricanes and a pandemic included – that can stress hotel managers and, more importantly, the customers who are relying on the rooms.
But the experience gained from all those events has not dimmed Edwards’ enthusiasm for the job, which often takes him to various sites around the country when properties are in need of his leadership and guidance. Such was the case recently, when properties in Nashville, Tennessee, and Birmingham, Alabama, were facing crises.
“Mark was there both times getting these properties through troubling times that had our owners questioning our abilities,” says Jim Obermaier, area director, engineering and facilities for Georgia and Florida. “The work he did grew confidence in our engineering discipline with both owners. He probably spent three months of the year at both properties while still running his regular facilities team and managing up with a transition in his leadership.”
In the last year, Edwards has seen metric performance numbers rise for his team in the following areas: water safety, rooms preventive maintenance, fire life safety and equipment preventive maintenance.
While Edwards makes a difference in metrics, which pleases property owners, he also scores points as a leader. In submitting Edwards for Facility Champion consideration, Obermaier included testimony from those who know best. The endorsements show a leader who has a positive effect on his team.
“He is by far the best leader I have worked for. Not just because of his extensive knowledge of the hotel industry, but mostly for his leadership skills and the way he treats people,” says Brad Tippy, facilities service technician.
“I was in an accident heading to one of my properties in the work van, someone pulled out in front of me and ended up totaling the work van. Thankfully I was physically OK and only a little emotionally shaken. Mark drove three hours from his home to see me and my family to make sure I was OK. Then, he helped me get the tools transferred out of the van, got a rental vehicle, and bought my family dinner so we wouldn’t have to worry about it that night,” says Mark Fagley, facilities services technician.
“Throughout the pandemic even when we were working in different departments he still reached out and called us to make sure everything was OK and is always there to lend a hand if needed. I know under his management I will keep growing in Marriott,” says Chris Vito, bench engineer.
Dave Lubach is the executive editor for the facility market.
