Marilyn Cornelius Breezes super boss

MARILYN Cornelius, general manager of Breezes Montego Bay, is one woman who does not accept failures. Coming from a family where “honesty and hard work are fundamental watchwords”, she clings to these time-honoured values which have taken her through 17 years of work within the hotel industry.

Sitting in her spacious office which is outfitted for comfort and ease, Marilyn is working way past normal business hours. Her only concern about being in the office this late, is that son Kwame, just shy of his first birthday, would not understand why Mommy is not at home. She smiles lovingly at his photographs (the only ones displayed on her desk), and settles in her chair to chat with All Woman.

Her strong personality coming through, Marilyn easily takes control of the conversation. “I was sold the idea of studying hotel management at a career’s day talk at St Hughs which is my alma mater,” she begins.

“The field was relatively new, and UWI was recruiting students for its degree programme. I liked the idea, so I went straight into it after leaving school,” Marilyn continues.

Fresh out of University, she worked as resident manager for a number of hotels including the former Wyndham New Kingston, Boscobel Beach and Hedonism II. For the past eight years, she has worked with the Super Clubs chain of hotels, interrupting her career briefly to pursue a Masters Degree in Business Administration.

“More than anything else, the MBA provided the type of academic stimulation I needed then.

You know, this industry is like a dream world created to fulfil people’s expectations, and once you get absorbed in it you kind of cut yourself off from normal, everyday life. I really enjoyed the programme, it stimulated that part of my brain that was kind of dead,” she smiles.

As general manager for a super-inclusive resort within the tourist capital, Marilyn faces keen competition, and in addition, carries the weight of the hotel on her shoulders. She has overall responsibility for the daily operations of the hotel, and above all, she must see to high standards.

“That’s the only way to run a profitable hotel because visitors come expecting a certain type of service, and if they do not get it, they will not return,” she says.

Experience through the years has taught her how to successfully delegate responsibilities, while leading by example. She is also backed by a team of managers and supervisors who “are not allowed room for mediocrity”.

The GM has an open-door policy which gives members of staff the freedom to interact with management, share their problems and get help in finding solutions to any problems that may arise.

Interestingly, Marilyn heads a management team which is predominantly female. “Of the 15 managers here, 10 are women, and this was not at all planned, it just happened,” Marilyn quips.

She continues: “We work well as a team, and we do not have the bickering that often comes when too many women share the same space.

There are no cliques and little groups gossiping here and there. I will not have it.

“The grapevine has its place in the office but you have to know how to deal with it. I believe in following rules and regulations, and I believe in discipline. People should have a good time at the workplace, but they must also exhibit a high level of professionalism”.

Included in her management team are Charlene Anderson, Food and Beverage; Andrea Bennette, Human Resources; Charlotte Ashley, Sales and Marketing and Denise Logman, Entertainment.

Time away from work does not add up to much, and Marilyn makes sure she puts some in for Kwame and husband, Winston. She has a passion for movies, any old black and white western that allows her to fantasize of years gone by.

Exhibiting her softer side, she says: “I enjoy the 30s classics, it’s a time passed that I have not experienced but yearn for — when ladies were ladies, and men were men, it was an age of innocence, and somehow this appeals to me.”