The soon-to-open AC Hotel by Marriott in Jacksonville, Fla., has recruited an executive leadership team with a collective half-century of comprehensive industry experience. OTO Development, part of The Johnson Group, is developing the hotel in partnership with Simon, a real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment, and mixed-use destinations. OTO will manage the hotel, which is located within Simon’s St. Johns Town Center in northeast Florida.
Hope Jenkins is the general manager of AC Hotel Jacksonville St. Johns Town Center and Quentin Jones is the director of sales. Terrance Kinman is the hotel’s beverage and food manager.
“What a privilege to bring this distinctive brand to Florida’s northeast coast,” Jenkins said in a statement, noting this is the fourth AC Hotel by Marriott located at a Simon property and the 10th within OTO’s owned and managed portfolios. “Travelers appreciate the AC Hotel mantra to provide everything guests need—and nothing they don’t—with equal emphasis on sophisticated style and practical comforts.”
Jenkins worked in the nonprofit sector with a focus on senior citizens and students with disabilities. She then moved into hotel leadership roles at full-service and lifestyle properties managed by hospitality companies including Naples, McNeil and Interstate.
“I’ve had so many wonderful opportunities,” Jenkins said. "But leading the opening process at AC Hotel Jacksonville is the shining highlight of my career.”
Jones brings a background in luxury, full-service and convention hotels to his director of sales role at AC Hotel Jacksonville. Jones got his start in hospitality as a turn-down attendant at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C. He went on to hold sales and operations roles of increasing responsibility at Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, W Hotels, and Hampton properties.
Kinman got his first job as a 15-year-old busboy at a hotel on the Atlantic City Boardwalk—and he’s been working in hotels, restaurants and country clubs ever since.
He worked on New Jersey’s famed boardwalk for 10 years, gaining hotel experience in everything from convention planning to guest services to food and beverage operations. From there he moved to Florida to work in F&B and management roles at private venues such as Jacksonville Country Club and Queen’s Harbor Country Club before ultimately transitioning back to branded hotels.
AC Hotel Jacksonville will have 118 sophisticated, modern guestrooms and a variety of amenities. Its location will connect guests to 90 market-exclusive retail brands and an array of dining options at St. Johns Town Center while offering easy proximity to the region’s best beaches and other recreation opportunities.
Scheduled to open in March, AC Hotel Jacksonville St. Johns Town Center is under development by OTO with project partners DLR Group, architect and interior designer; and Kellogg & Kimsey, general contractor.