Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando has named the key executives who will open Loews Sapphire Falls Resort this summer. The new hotel will operate as a complex with the adjoining Loews Royal Pacific Resort and will offer a combined 2,000 rooms and suites and nearly 250,000 square feet of meeting space.
Eddie Maddox
Eddie Maddox has been named Complex Director of Catering and Conference Services. During his more than 30 years in convention services and catering, Maddox developed a nationally-recognized reputation for superior service and food and beverage innovation. He has worked at The Peabody Orlando, the Venetian/Palazzo/Sands Expo in Las Vegas and GES, one of the world’s largest general services contractors for tradeshows, exhibitions and live events. Maddox holds a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation and is a certified sommelier.
Leonard Kong
Leonard Kong is the Complex Director of Rooms, overseeing the new Loews Sapphire Falls Resort as well as Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Kong has extensive experience across the Orlando hotel campus, having served in key roles at Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel. He has been instrumental in improving guest satisfaction scores and overall hotel performance. Kong brings a deep understanding of the best practices and operational excellence at the on-site hotels. He is a recipient of the Loews Legacy award, one of the company’s highest honors.
John Askew
John Askew has joined the team as Complex Director of Food & Beverage. A seasoned hospitality professional with formal training from the world-famous Culinary Institute of America, Askew began his career at The Peabody Orlando. He is a Certified Food and Beverage Executive from The Educational Institute and a recipient of the prestigious Silver Plate award from the International Food Manufacturers Association. During his 30-year career, Askew also led the food and beverage operations for the Colonial Williamsburg Company, where he oversaw four hotels and four historical taverns.
Nando Belmonte
Nando Belmonte has been promoted to Complex Executive Chef. A driving force in the development and ongoing operation of several of Loews Hotels’ most successful food and beverage concepts at Universal Orlando Resort, Belmonte was on the opening teams for Loews Portofino Bay Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort. He graduated from the Sydney TAFE College of Culinary Arts in Australia and is a member of the American Culinary Federation. Belmonte and his teams have won numerous culinary awards in the industry’s most respected competitions.
