The following profile of Lorrita Tucker-Simons was published in 1997 by the Hospitality Professionals Association.

The Marriott philosophy is one of in house training and in house promotion and now their Castle Harbour Resort has a training manager on site, a position held by long-term associate Lorrita Tucker-Simons.

Some of Marriott's training is extremely innovative. Lorrita explained: "I will be doing in-house programmes with a new spin to help associates with their personal lives. If our associates have a better understanding of their personal make-up they will better understand the people who are coming into the hotel.'' Marriott is also implementing programmes on leadership and customer focus.

"The customer is number one,'' she said. "The customer is the reason for our business, so they come first.'' Lorrita is not a college graduate, but she spent four years with Up With People.

"The training I received with Up With People has really helped me with the industry there isn't anywhere I haven't been, there isn't a person I've met to whom I can't relate,'' she said.

Lorrita said the hospitality industry and Marriott have been "very good'' to her. She began her career in the hospitality industry as an aerobics instructor.

"Then, I moved on to the concierge department. Often, the first contact the visitor has with the island is with the concierge. It can make or break a person's stay,'' she said.

Lorrita later joined the Human Resources Department.

"Marriott is very focused on the quality of the associates. We have some of the best in the business, and we will continue along that road.'' she said.

Lorrita Tucker-Simons