Brian Grant Joins The Sandpearl Resort team as Director of Engineering

CLEARWATER BEACH, FL (April 17, 2007) – Coral Hospitality has appointed Brian Grant as its Director of Engineering for the new Sandpearl Resort. The 253-room, eight-story luxury hotel will be the first new beachfront resort on Clearwater Beach in over 25 years, and will feature a lagoon-style pool with private cabanas, a signature restaurant, full-service spa, meeting & event space, and a selection of enrichment programs. The resort is also scheduled to become the first LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) certified resort in Florida.

Grant brings over 18 years of experience in hotel/resort engineering, most recently serving as assistant director of engineering at the Don CeSar Beach Resort in St. Petersburg, Fla. Other past positions include chief engineer at the Cincinnati Marriott in Cincinnati, Ohio. Grant was awarded Manager of the Year in 1999, as well as Manager of the Quarter in 2006. He earned his degree in business management at St. Petersburg College, and volunteers with the Ronald McDonald House.

“Many of the Sandpearl Resort’s engineering features are unique within Florida, with many designed to meet LEED standards,” stated Stuart Arp, General Manager of the Sandpearl Resort. “Grant’s past experiences provide excellent leadership for introducing a nationally-recognized ‘green’ resort concept to the state and its visitors.”

In addition to overseeing the opening of what will become the state’s first LEED® certified resort, Grant will also be responsible for all aspects of the Engineering Department, including the proper operation, maintenance and repair of all mechanical equipment. He’ll also develop and coordinate programs that will ensure the safety and comfort of all staff and guests.

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED® is a national standard for developing buildings that are environmentally responsible.  LEED® certified structures are built using a stringent framework that strives toward many environmental and economic benefits including improving energy efficiency, improvement of air and water quality, reduction of solid waste, conservation of natural resources, reduction of operational costs, improved employee productivity and reducing strain on the local infrastructure.

Grant and the current Sandpearl Resort team are in the pre-opening office located at 600 Cleveland Street in Clearwater until the resort opens.

The Sandpearl Resort, opening summer 2007, will be the first new beachfront resort in Clearwater Beach in over 25 years. Situated along a 700-foot expanse of pristine Gulf Coast beach, Sandpearl will feature 253 luxurious guest rooms, a lagoon-style beachfront pool with private cabanas, full-service spa, unique lifestyle enrichment programs, fine & casual dining, plus meeting & event space. For more information, visit www.sandpearl.com or call (727) 441-2425.

The Sandpearl Resort is being developed by JMC Communities (www.jmccommunities.com) of St. Petersburg, Fla., and is managed by Naples, Fla.-based Coral Hospitality (www.coralhospitality.com). Other project partners include the Hunter Hotel Group and Greenfield Partners.

Founded in 1978, JMC Communities is a Florida-based real estate development company specializing in premier waterfront residential properties that preserve and accentuate the state’s natural beauty and uniqueness. JMC Communities has developed nearly 4,000 waterfront condominium homes in Florida, including many highly successful developments in the Gulf Coast area.

Coral Hospitality is a full service management company with a diverse portfolio of resorts, hotels, condominiums, private golf clubs, marina, spas and community associations. Currently managing 35 properties throughout the Southeastern United States and the Caribbean, Coral operates each with a core belief in providing thoughtful service in unique surroundings. For further information, please contact Kerry Mitruska at 239-449-1800 or kmitruska@coralhospitality.com.

Media Contact:
Amanda Jackson
Ypartnership Public Relations
(407) 838-1812
amanda.jackson@ypartnership.com