Joe Hindsley, general manager of the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, is retiring after 40 years working for Hyatt.
“From his start as a corporate management trainee at Hyatt Regency Minneapolis to completing his career as general manager at Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, Joe’s impact has been felt far and wide. He embodies Hyatt service culture and purpose of care by setting the highest example among his colleagues and we will miss Joe dearly,” Pete Sears, group president – Americas for Hyatt Hotels Corp., said in a news release.
“It has been a great honor and privilege to have worked for this outstanding company more than four decades, in 13 hotels and 11 markets,” Hindsley said in the release.
Under Hindsley’s leadership at Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, he managed the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the travel and hospitality industries and secured a mission contract with the U.S. Marine Corps with a $26 million economic impact for Jacksonville when tourist numbers were down.
In the past year, Hindsley and his team returned the property to pre-pandemic business levels.
“Joe was a true professional and I’ll never forget the calming influence he had coming out of the pandemic at the Hyatt. His willingness to serve, whether as an industry leader in our community, or on our Tourist Development Council, was always apparent,” said Michael Corrigan, president and CEO of Visit Jacksonville, in the release.
“He was always willing to share his experience and knowledge to help our local community grow. When you have the largest hotel in our community supporting your everyday efforts, it certainly makes my job easier.”
The release said that while general manager of Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Hindsley was a pioneer in establishing sustainability programs. He lead energy and water conservation initiatives that became the models for other hotels.
At Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch, he was involved in renovating and reopening the Gateway Arch Grounds to the public, was a board member of the St. Louis Sports Commission and served as an executive board member and treasurer for the St. Louis Community Improvement District.
During his tenure at Hyatt, Hindsley received numerous awards and recognition including being selected Hyatt Hotels General Manager of the Year in 2012.
Hindsley began as a management trainee at Hyatt Regency Minneapolis. He served as a food and beverage director at properties including Hyatt Regency Alicante in California, Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, Hyatt Regency Columbus and Hyatt Regency Dallas Fort Worth Airport.
He was promoted to general manager in 1997 and then managed hotels including Hyatt Regency Lisle in Illinois, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at Union Station, Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch, Hyatt Regency Hill Country and Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront.
Hindsley and his wife, Lisa, are moving to Clearwater Beach.