Brent Cross Named President and General Manager of Gasparilla Inn & Club
After sixteen years of service to The Gasparilla Inn & Club, including eleven as President & General Manager, today Jon Reecher announced his retirement. Brent Cross, Assistant General Manager, has been named President and General Manager.
"We thank Jon for his many contributions to the growth and success of The Inn and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement,” said Sarah Farish, owner of The Gasparilla Inn & Club. “Jon’s deep passion for excellence and vast experience in delivering world-class hospitality is engrained in our culture.”
Reecher, initially hired as Director of Food & Beverage in 2008, cultivated a team of hard-working, devoted individuals who streamlined the Food & Beverage department. Jon was promoted to the role of General Manager by Sarah Farish, in 2013. “I’ve greatly enjoyed working with and appreciate the dedicated employees who have contributed to the significant success of The Inn over my tenure. The time has come for me to step away from this role and focus on spending more time with my extended family.” Jon is grateful to have been a member of this community and for the relationships he developed while here.
Over the past fifteen years, Brent Cross has served in nearly every facet of The Inn’s operations and executive divisions, from front office and housekeeping to finance and special projects. In 2021, Brent was appointed Assistant General Manager where his duties included oversight of the daily operations of The Inn. In addition to that role, Brent was an integral part of the successful team tasked with completion of the new Beach Club, Fitness Center and Beach Cottage construction. In 2022, Cross provided steadfast guidance through The Inn’s rebuilding following the devastation of Hurricane Ian. In recognition of his experience in the industry, Brent was elected to serve as President of The Southern Innkeepers Association in 2023.
Cross is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with an MBA from Midway University. Brent is devoted to the island community, volunteering his time to numerous philanthropic events and initiatives including serving as Treasurer of the Island School Foundation. Brent and his wife, Sharon, share a long history with The Gasparilla Inn, meeting after college and later marrying at The Inn in 2012. They have since made the island their home with their children Will, Caroline and Oliver.
“Brent is a natural leader with a relentless drive for excellence, an unwavering commitment to this team and the vision to move The Inn forward,” said Sarah Farish. “These core values are so important to our future, and we know that the future is very bright under Brent’s leadership.”
“I want to thank Jon for the support and leadership throughout his tenure here at The Inn and I am honored to lead The Gasparilla Inn & Club into its next chapter," said Brent Cross. "It’s a privilege to uphold the values of exceptional service, luxury and community engagement that have defined
this historic establishment. Together with this amazing team, I am confident that we will continue to exceed the expectations of our guests and members for years to come.”