SAN SERVICES USA, INC.
MIAMI, FLORIDA

He's been called the "King of All-Inclusive Resorts," the "Cupid of the Caribbean," and the "Master of Marketing." While all descriptions are appropriate, none of them quite capture the full measure of Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, chairman and founder of Sandals Resorts International, parent company to Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, on July 6, 1941, he grew up along Jamaica's north coast, a tropical paradise boasting some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, now home to seven Sandals Resorts, three Beaches Resorts. But the origin of Stewart's business career as the leading entrepreneur in the Caribbean had nothing to do with the hotel or resort industries; rather it had everything to do with salesmanship and Stewart soon proved himself to be a master of the craft. After rising to the position of sales manager for the renowned Dutch-owned Curacoa Trading Company, Stewart left in 1968 to start Appliance Traders, Ltd. (ATL). Founded as an air-conditioner service and distribution company, ATL soon grew meteorically, adding refrigerators, freezers and other appliances. When the Jamaican government turned socialist in 1970 and demanded a limit on imports, Stewart met what at the time was the greatest challenge to his business savvy and resourcefulness by expanding into manufacturing. Today, ATL makes or sells everything from water pumps and electrical generators to cars and auto parts. By 1980, the government returned to a more centrist approach to politics and business began to emphasize tourism. The first government-owned, "all-inclusive" resort opened in Ocho Rios and ATL was contracted to supply kitchen appliances and air conditioners. Stewart's unofficial motto, "We can do better," kicked into gear and led to his purchase of an old hotel on one of Montego Bay's largest beaches. Despite no hotel experience, Stewart approached this business with a simple philosophy he articulated many times: "The winning formula is to find out what people want, give it to them and, in doing so, exceed their expectations." Stewart's successes have garnered hundreds of personal and industry awards, which have been publicized. Perhaps less well-known is the extent of his considerable philanthropy. Sandals Resorts International currently gives active support to more than 150 major projects in its host communities, through the company's philanthropic arm, The Sandals Foundation. This support ranges from the building of schools to the paying of teachers, to providing hospitals with linens, to bringing healthcare to the doorsteps of those who cannot afford it. As the dynamic Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sandals Resorts International, the world's leading resort company, and The ATL Group, Jamaica's Born in 1981, the same year his father Gordon 'Butch' Stewart purchased his first hotel and launched the Sandals Resorts chain, Adam Stewart was raised in Jamaica and later graduated from Florida International University's (FIU) acclaimed Hospitality Management Programme in Miami. After graduation, Stewart underwent a fast track immersion course through the company's Caribbean-wide resort operations which today comprises 19 resorts across three brands and seven islands. resorts, offering guests unprecendented and unmatched vacation priviliges and experiences in the region's most sought-after locations. Stewart's leadership has earned the company international acclaim and has seen the brand being named the World Travel Awards' Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Company for 22 consecutive years. With Stewart as the pioneer, the company expects even more growth and has plans to double size and triple revenue over the next decade through at least 10 new exciting developents, including the debut of the highly-anticipated over-the-water suites at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island, the first of its kind for the Caribbean. This pioneering spirit has been recognised and awarded by many, resulting in Stewart receiving numerous accolades, among them, the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association's Hotelier of the Year 2015, World Travel Awards' Rising Star, Caribbean World's Travel and Tourism Personality of the Year, the Distinguished Alumni Torch Award from FIU and The Gleaner Company's Jamaica 50 under 50 Award. In October 2015, Stewart was named the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association's Hotelier of the Year 2015. A lover of the ocean and all things adventurous, Stewart was inspired by his passion for sharing the Caribbean with others, and launched the Caribbean's premier luxury tour company, Island Routes Adventure Tours, offering countless unique and exciting tour and adventure experiences throughout the region. Island Routes has since transformed from a small island outpost to a multiple World-Travel-Award-winning company employing 200 people and offering hundreds of adventures in 12 countries. In just seven years, Island Routes has earned the enviable title of the World Travel Awards' Leading Caribbean Tour Company for four consecutive years. Following significant investments in new assets such as its first-class fleet of luxury cars and buses, in 2014, the company expanded into destination management services and has since signed landmark partnerships with leading brands such as Air Canada Vacations and Hyatt. Established in 1968, ATL Appliance Traders has been significantly modernized under Stewart's leadership. A re-energized company now encompasses a broad spectrum of new sectors with international aspirations while still remaining faithful to the philosophy of service that Stewart's father created many years ago. Now in 2016, celebrating its 48th year, the ATL Group is part of the largest private sector organisation in the country boasting over 750 employees nationwide. In 2010, driven by his love for cars, Stewart changed the face of the automotive industry in Jamaica with the creation of ATL Automotive. With multi-million dollar distributorships and state-of-the-art service centres located in Kingston and Montego Bay, ATL Automotive boasted unrivalled sales and service of Audi, Volkswagen, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rover automobiles. Jamaica embraced Stewart's vision and the revitalized Volkswagen and Audi brands enjoyed huge sales increases in their first years of business, 272% and 346% respectively, with each breaking sales records and making Audi the number one premium brand in Jamaica. The Honda brand, part of the ATL Group since 1997, also scored big with the Honda Automobile Customer Experience Award for two consecutive years and beating all 22 countries who carry the brand in the Latin America and Caribbean region, for market share.