Embassy Suites and Red Wolf Convention Center in Jonesboro announces Director of Sales

The 203-Suite property is set to open on Arkansas State’s Campus in 2019

JONESBORO, Arkansas

– O’Reilly Hospitality Management, LLC, is proud to announce Shawnie Carrier as its new Director of Sales for the Embassy Suites and Red Wolf Convention Center. This makes Shawnie the first hire for the 203-Suite property with over 40,000 square feet of convention space, that is currently under construction on the campus of Arkansas State University, located on Red Wolf Blvd. Her significant contributions and dedication to this project from the start will be invaluable in her new role.

“I am ecstatic about joining the OHM Team as Director of Sales for the Embassy Suites and Red Wolf Convention Center,” said Shawnie Carrier, “Having played a lead role in this development since the inception makes this move natural and exciting. This new property will generate an incredible amount of economic benefits for the Northeast Arkansas Region by hosting out-of-town visitors that attend conventions, tradeshows, business meetings and events of all types. In the years to come the convention center will contribute multi-millions in direct spending to the regional economy, making it one of Jonesboro and NEA’s most important economic engines.”

Carrier joined Arkansas State, in fall 2013, as the chief of staff for the chancellor after several years of work with economic development groups in the state of Arkansas. As the chief of staff, she led discussions regarding public-private partnerships related to A-State’s commercial land development. The Embassy Suites and Red Wolf Convention Center was at the top of that list.

Carrier was appointed as the Executive Director of the A-State Delta Center for Economic Development in the spring of 2015 in addition to continuing her role as Chief of Staff for a year. The Delta Center is the community outreach arm of the university. Functioning as a business with access to intellectual capacity found within the university, the Delta Center’s mission is to advance economic opportunity and quality of life for the Delta communities and surrounding counties in Arkansas.

Carrier brings 17 years of development experience with an aggressive and innovative approach to business development, marketing/recruitment strategies and community competitiveness. She has a proven track record of fostering positive community relationships with a comprehensive approach to serving businesses, governments, and citizens of Arkansas.

“We are thrilled that Shawnie is joining our OHM team as a Director of Sales,” said Tim O’Reilly, CEO of O’Reilly Hospitality Management, LLC, “and I am personally humbled that a person with Shawnie’s professional experience, work ethic, enthusiasm and character is joining us to lead the sales effort for this important project.”

Prior to OHM, Carrier’s career included several years of experience working in local and regional economic development. She was CEO of the Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance and director of external affairs for the Cross County Chamber and Economic Development Corporation. A graduate of A-State, Shawnie continued her education as a graduate of Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education in Authentic Leadership, the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and the U. S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management, receiving a professional IOM certification. Carrier was also recognized in 2015 by Arkansas Business as one of Arkansas’s 40 under 40.

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About O’Reilly Hospitality Management, LLC

Founded in 2007 by Tim O’Reilly, O'Reilly Hospitality Management, LLC is a proven hospitality firm specializing in the design, development, and staffing of hotels, restaurants, and commercial properties for some of the leading national and independent brands across the nation. Founded on the principles of sustainability, community involvement, philanthropic outreach, and a commitment to elevating the modern guest experience, O’Reilly Hospitality Management is truly an innovative presence in the hospitality space. Our hotel management company in Springfield, Missouri, brings a wealth of knowledge and forward-thinking initiatives to 25 existing sites and continuous development of new properties across the states. We do whatever it takes to make every guest smile, thanks to award-winning service, sustainable green practices, and a staff buoyed by working for a caring and involved company.