Salamander Hotels & Resorts appoints managing director for Tampa Bay's Innisbrook

Salamander Hotels & Resorts, the luxury hotel company founded by Sheila Johnson, appointed J. Michael Williams as the new managing director of Innisbrook, a Salamander Golf & Spa Resort, in Tampa Bay, Fla. A former Innisbrook director of sales and marketing, Williams returns to the resort in his new role as it readies to host the Valspar Championship, an official PGA TOUR event on its own Copperhead Course.

J. Michael Williams

Williams’ hospitality management career includes spending the past four years as EVP for operations and sales with Crescent Hotels & Resorts. Williams also worked for over two decades at Hilton, including serving as VP of global brand performance. During his time spent working in Florida and at Innisbrook, he lived in nearby Palm Harbor for 12 years. 

"I am thrilled to join Salamander Hotels & Resorts and become a part of its exciting growth,” Williams said in a statement. “I look forward to returning to the area and working closely with the Innisbrook team, club members and owners to deliver memorable experiences at this distinguished resort."

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Williams has been married for 38 years to Mary Ellen Williams. They have two daughters, including one who lives in Palm Harbor, and a 3-year-old grandson. In addition to spending time with his family, he enjoys playing golf and cooking.

“Michael’s résumé and experience are exceptional, and he is an expert in improving guest satisfaction and delivering superior service,” Prem Devadas, president of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to welcome him to this special property and know he will continue to elevate our destination golf experience, which is already considered one of the finest in the country.”

Innisbrook Resort is situated on 900 wooded acres of rolling hills in the Tampa Bay area on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Located 30 minutes from Tampa International Airport, the resort offers 72 holes of championship golf, over 500 guestrooms and suites, the 12-treatment room Salamander Spa, four restaurants and three bars, the Innisbrook Golf Academy, 11 tennis courts, six heated swimming pool complexes, a nature preserve and three conference halls with 100,000 square feet of meeting space.