Meet the Team

Bill McKay is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Innisbrook, a Salamander Golf & Spa Resort.  The 27-year hotel industry veteran directs all marketing and sales strategies overseeing all golf and group sales, as well as catering and revenue management.  Before joining Salamander Hotels and Resorts, Bill held various sales and marketing positions with Hyatt Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Gaylord Hotels, KSL Resorts and with several convention and visitor bureaus in Charlotte, Little Rock and Savannah.  In addition, Bill spent six years in the initial start up, with the Nashville Predators and in the first five seasons securing corporate partnerships and sponsors for the NHL franchise. Bill spends his free time on his John Deere tractor or at a hockey rink watching his 15 year old “Goalie“ son play hockey.

Julie joined the Salamander team in September 2014 as the Director, Regional Sales for the Florida State Association market.  She brings with her 18 years of hotel sales experience in various Florida resorts.  Based in Jupiter, Fl she is responsible for selling Salamander's growing portfolio: Reunion Resort in Orlando, Innisbrook Resort in Tampa Bay, Hammock Beach in Palm Coast and The Henderson in Destin. Julie serves on the Associate Advisory Committee for the Florida Society of Association Executives.  She also has a Bachelor Science in Recreation & Hopsitality Management from the University of Florida and Masters of Business Administration from Nova Southern University. 

Heather is the Director of National Accounts for the Mid-Atlantic region and joins Salamander’s national sales team from Benchmark Hospitality, where she served as Associate Director of Sales at Villas of Grand Cypress resort in Orlando.  Based in Washington, D.C, she is responsible for selling Salamander’s growing portfolio, which includes the luxurious Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, VA,  Innisbrook in Tampa Bay, Reunion in Orlando and Hammock Beach in Palm Coast; and a fourth Florida resort, Henderson Beach Resort in Destin, scheduled to open in summer 2016. Heather is a graduate of DePauw University in Greencastle, IN.

Rachael joined the Innisbrook team in July of 2008.  She has been an instrumental leader on the operations team with her previous positions as Front Office Manager, Director of Housekeeping as well as a year spent in Reservations assisting and learning the group side. She brings over 15 years of customer service experience. That combined with her property and operations knowledge, Rachael makes optimal Sales Manager for Innisbrook. She started in Sales in 2016 with Florida and Canada as her territories then after a few months advanced to handle the Midwest Territories.  She loves Innisbrook and all it has to offer and truly enjoys sharing with meeting planners all of the possibilities that can come to life for an event, meeting or exhibit. She enjoys creating relationships with planners and helping make their day. Rachael has a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of South Florida.

Rachael also enjoys spending time with her husband (newly married! 9/3/17) and her two fur babies. She loves Innisbrook so much that she even got married here!

Michelle Lewis joined the Salamander Sales Team at Innisbrook, a Salamander Golf & Spa Resort, in January 2018 as the National Sales Manager for the Northeast Region.  Most recently, she worked for InterContinental where she brings her 10+ years of experience in sales to the Resort. Michelle holds a Bachelors Degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

She enjoys spending time with her husband, Chris and her two children

Claudia joined the Salamander team in September of 2016 as the National Sales Manager for Florida and Canada. She started her career with Starwood Hotels & Resorts and has also worked with InterContinental Hotels.  Claudia’s outgoing personality and attention to detail makes Claudia a great addition to the Innisbrook team. She is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that your event at Innisbrook exceeds all expectations. Claudia has a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Event Management from the University of Central Florida. Her passions include attending concerts, playing and watching sports, and traveling. 

Kylie Ferguson joined the Salamander team at Innisbrook Golf Resort & Spa in October 2015 as Senior Sales Manager for the Mid-Atlantic Region. She spent 17 years in New York City working in Food and Beverage for boutique hotels and high end restaurants, working under several celebrity chefs.  She started her career in Sales with Starwood Hotels and Resorts in January 2014 at The Westin Hilton Head Island. Kylie has a Bachelor’s degree in The Thomas Hunter Honors Program from Hunter College in New York City. 

Carla Carroll began her hospitality career as a student in the School of Hospitality at Georgia Southern University, gaining her degree in Tourism and Commercial Recreation in 2001.  Carla completed her internship at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island and went on to join Old Overton Country Club in Vestavia Hills, Alabama as Director of Aquatics and Tennis Pro-Shop Manager, leading Kids Programs and Managing Special Events for the Club.  Carla then moved to Destin, Florida and continued her career with Noble House Hotels & Resorts and The St. Joe Company as Sales Manager and Catering Sales Manager for WaterColor Inn & Resort.  Carla spent seven years with WaterColor Inn & Resort helping to build the wedding and special events industry in Destin then continued her career with Noble House Hotels as National Sales Manager for Kona Kai Resort & Spa in San Diego.  In 2014, Carla moved back to her home state of Georgia and began her next adventure as National Sales Manager for the Atlanta Convention & Visitor’s Bureau for three years before joining Salamander Hotels & Resorts in 2017.

Drew serves as Golf Sales Manager for the Grand Golf Resorts of Florida where he books and coordinates golf outings for groups of 12 to 250. Drew is actively involved attending golf trade shows and marketing all three golf resorts as the top golf destinations of Florida. Drew brings great energy to Innisbrook where he continues to broaden his current knowledge on golf industry trends and marketing campaigns to increase sales and surpass his goals. Drew is a graduate of North Carolina State University and has been rewarded with outstanding customer service awards in his past positions over his last 10 years in hospitality. Besides playing golf in his spare time, Drew enjoys playing poker and attending various pro and college sport events.

With a focus on customer service Mr. Thompson joined the Salamander family in February 2007. Tim has been in the golf industry for over 20 years and in Hospitality for nearly 8 years. Tim's focus is ensuring the success of each and every group's program. Tim has the proven ability to create unique member, junior and guest experience using innovative and dynamic programs. Tim enjoys spending time with his kids swimming, barbequing and attending local sporting events.

Billy serves as a Golf Sales Manager at Innisbrook Resort specializing in Golf Tournaments and Day Golf Groups. With 10 years of experience in the golf industry, Billy brings plenty of knowledge and passion to the Innisbrook team. Before joining Innisbrook, he spent time working at some notable facilities including Medinah Country Club in IL. Most recently, Billy served as the assistant golf professional of Innisbrook’s Copperhead Course; He took on his new role in 2017. Billy enjoys playing golf with friends and clients, kayaking, and rooting for his Detroit sports teams.

Rick has over 20 years of experience in hospitality event catering and joins Innisbrook from his most recent position as Director of Catering with Embassy Suites Hotels in Arkansas where he handled all major convention accounts, as well as high profile social events in addition to his management responsibilities. Galipault's responsibilities include booking and coordination of social catering events, business meetings/events and special events at the resort. He collaborates with community and non-profit organizations on a variety of annual fundraising events and works closely with Innisbrook's executive chef and banquet service team to ensure all catered events meet a high standard of quality and creativity. Rick states what he likes best about his position is the opportunity to help people through such a wide variety of what are often “milestone events” in their lives.

Melissa joined Innisbrook in February 2013 as Catering Manager and plays an instrumental role in the execution of an array of Catering events including weddings, social events and corporate meetings and dinners for up to 500 plus guests. Melissa's strong attention to detail and ability to build and maintain relationships with her clients makes Melissa a great asset to the Innisbrook Catering Team. Melissa brings many years of hospitality experience and great passion to exceed the guests' expectations. Melissa wants her clients to know that she has great attention to detail and a passion to exceed their expectations.