Jon McGavin

In 1991, Jon McGavin began his hospitality career as a Server Attendant at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. While interviewing with a variety of hotel brands during his senior year in college, McGavin decided the luxury sector was where he was meant to be as it offered a great opportunity for challenge and growth, and he’s never looked back. 

Today, McGavin serves as the Area General Manager for The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. Under his leadership, the resort has achieved significant growth in both revenue and profitability, while fostering remarkable increases in employee and guest engagement. During his tenure, the property has earned numerous prestigious accolades, including being recognized as Central Florida’s only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star hotel, receiving the coveted AAA Five Diamond Award, earning a MICHELIN star, and securing multiple consecutive years as the #1 Resort in Orlando by Condé Nast Traveler and U.S. News & World Report.

With a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Georgia, McGavin worked his way up through Marriott International for 34 years, primarily in the food and beverage departments at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland, The Ritz-Carlton, Marina Del Rey and The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai. He opened The Ritz-Carlton Orlando as Food and Beverage Director and later rose to Hotel Manager. He moved on to be General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead before returning as General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes and then his current role, Area General Manager at Grande Lakes Orlando (encompassing The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes and the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes). 

Under his leadership, Grande Lakes Orlando—which encompasses 1,592 guest rooms, more than 150,000 square feet of meeting space, 14 restaurants and lounges, a 40,000-square-foot spa, and an 18-hole championship golf course—has earned some of the most prestigious accolades in hospitality. He successfully inspired and led his team at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes to secure Orlando’s first Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star recognition, along with the AAA Five Diamond Award, Travel + Leisure’s “Top 15 Favorite Florida Resorts,” and Condé Nast Traveler’s “Top Resorts in Orlando” as well as global recognition on its “Best in the World” list.

Grande Lakes Orlando has also been honored as one of Good Housekeeping’s “Top 15 Best Family Resorts in Orlando” and earned the title of #1 Best Hotel Spa by USA Today’s 10Best. Its culinary program continues to excel, with Primo named MICHELIN Recommended and Knife & Spoon achieving the ultimate distinction: one MICHELIN Star in the inaugural Florida Guide.

McGavin serves as Chair of the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association and is an active member of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, the Orange County Tourism Development Council, and the Florida Foundation for Corrections Excellence.