The USVI Hotel and Tourism Association (USVIHTA) welcomes Scott Derrickson as chairman of the board of directors. Derrickson is the general manager for Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove on St. Thomas, part of the Marriott Vacation Club. He joins the board with over three decades of experience in the hospitality, tourism and customer service industries, as well as time served on the Aruba Timeshare Association board and the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Authority board.
Derrickson first expressed a passion for tourism as a teenager working in the food and beverage industry. He studied graphic design and computer science at Arizona State University, but he found his calling in tourism and hospitality. Eventually, he delved into the fast-paced world of restaurant management, and his career in hospitality took off. Once he had his foot in the door, he quickly rose in the ranks, working in nearly every sector of food and beverage before moving on to sales and marketing and executive work.
“The association and I are looking forward to working under the leadership of Scott. He has worked in the territory prior to this, and his experience and knowledge are invaluable. We are truly honored to welcome him aboard,” said Lisa Hamilton, president of USVIHTA.
The new board chairman has lived and worked in six different countries. He has eight years of successful tenure as a general manager for Marriott. He has won multiple hospitality awards, proving his dedication and eagerness to grow in the field. Derrickson’s vast experience and knowledge are an asset to the association and the territory.
“Tourism is cyclical. We all become the hot spot,” said Derrickson of the current state of tourism in the territory. “We are knowledgeable, intelligent and ahead of the game. We’re not the status quo. We’re always trying to find different ways to market and bring people here.”
Derrickson joins the board at the close of previous chairman Trudie Prior’s term. Being an allied member, Prior’s tenure as chairman gave the association a more diverse and comprehensive understanding of the tourism industry. Derrickson’s election presents the association with yet another unique opportunity to stand out amongst its peer associations as he is the only timeshare manager to lead an association.
“Once again, USVIHTA is setting a precedent. Typically, associations have hoteliers at their helm, but we are non-traditional. While on other islands there is a rift between the competition, we have embraced the timeshare industry and find the partnership to be to our advantage. We have learned so much about how each branch contributes to the industry, and discovered that it takes a united front to succeed,” Hamilton said.
The board of directors is elected by association members and meets on a monthly basis. In addition to facilitating monthly board meetings, the chairman gives association updates at bi-monthly membership meetings, is involved in association advocacy initiatives and will participate in major association events, to name a few responsibilities.
