Submitted
St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino is pleased and fortunate to announce the appointment of Mr. Barry Zwueste, as Chief Executive Officer.
In this capacity, Mr. Zwueste's responsibilities will encompass overseeing the growth and sustainability of all branches of the Resort — namely the Golf Course, Hotel and Casino Operations.
Zwueste has been a senior executive in the hospitality industry for over 20 years. His experience includes senior as well as General Management positions at several prestigious resort and city center hotels across Canada including; Fantasyland Hotel, The Algonquin Resort, Jasper Park Lodge, Chateau Lake Louise as well as founding partner with Bellstar Hotels and Resorts.
His postings have given him coast to coast expertise in operations, and a well-rounded background in development and acquisition. The ability to succeed in new and challenging situations are part of his dynamic portfolio.
Zwueste’s priorities lie in executing four key strategies. The first is to concentrate on the support of the team of exceptional St. Eugene employees without whom success cannot be achieved. Secondly, he plans to work with his associates toward the delivery of consistent, exemplary customer service for the resort’s valued guests.
St. Eugene is well known for excellence in customer service from the dedicated employees that comprise the St. Eugene family, and Zwueste plans to take that reputation even further.
Thirdly, recognizing that our Aboriginal heritage is core to St. Eugene’s continued success, Zwueste’s plans include concentrating on enhancing awareness and sharing the knowledge of the Ktunaxa Nation with all of our guests. Finally, if our surrounding communities prosper and grow, we all prosper and grow. Zwueste has committed to work to elevate our presence within the Cranbrook & Kimberley district and our neighbouring East Kootenay communities, with a penchant to develop and retain long-standing relationships with our community leaders.
St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino is owned by three First Nations partners: Ktunaxa Nation of British Columbia, the Samson Cree Nation of Maskwacis, Alberta, and the Chippewas of Rama First Nation of Rama, Ontario. The resort is the second largest private employer in the local area with nearly 300 employees, many of them residents of Cranbrook and Kimberley.