Wendy A. Watkins is vice president of global corporate communications and public relations for Delaware North Companies, recognized as one of the leading foodservice and hospitality management companies in the world.
Watkins is responsible for corporate communications and marketing strategy, public relations, media relations, brand management and internal communication for Delaware North Companies and its subsidiaries.
Prior to joining Delaware North in April 2000, Watkins spent 10 years with the Marriott family of companies including Marriott Corporation, Host Marriott and Host Marriott Services, holding senior roles in corporate communications, public relations and marketing. She most recently lead Host Marriott Services’ communication and marketing efforts as director of global corporate communications and client marketing for the company’s operations in North America, Australia, New Zealand, China and Europe. While at Host Marriott Services, she was instrumental in the development of the company’s corporate brand positioning strategy, which helped earn the company a ranking as one of Fortune Magazine’s Most Admired Food Services Companies. She was also responsible for internal, shareholder and investor communications for the company, which was publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
Previously, Watkins was national director of public relations, advertising and marketing for Brandywine Enterprises, based in DeLand, Florida, part of Empire of America. There, she was responsible for government and community relations, advertising, marketing and public and media relations for the company’s locations throughout the United States.
Prior to Brandywine, she held communication posts at LaNier Associates, an Orlando Florida-based advertising and public relations agency, and Four Seasons World Resort and Community in the Midwest.
Watkins received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. She is a member of several national and local professional, community and charity organizations. |