Wyndham Vacation Resorts Employee Receives Top Honor on Oahu for Outstanding Service in the Resort and Timeshare Industry

Ashley M.K. DeCanto, Sales Operations Manager at Wyndham Vacation Resorts Waikiki

The American Resort Development Association of Hawaii (ARDA-Hawaii) has named Ashley M.K. DeCanto, sales operations manager at Wyndham Vacation Resorts Waikiki, as its Oahu “Timeshare with Aloha” honoree. DeCanto is the island of Oahu’s 2012 Timeshare Employee of the Year for the statewide awards program.

“We are very proud to have an exceptional professional such as Ashley representing Hawaii’s resort and timeshare industry,” said ARDA-Hawaii Chair Daniel Dinell, who is also Hilton Grand Vacations vice president for Oahu. “Among the Hawaiian islands, Oahu draws the largest number of visitors each year, truly making it ‘The Gathering Place.’ Ashley has exemplified the kind of leadership in service and community volunteerism that make it clear why visitors and kamaaina alike come here time and again to enjoy Hawaii’s distinctive culture.”

ARDA-Hawaii established the “Timeshare with Aloha” Awards this year to showcase and reward committed industry professionals who make Hawaii a special place to visit. The nominations, which included submissions from supervisors and peers, were reviewed by a panel of judges comprised of community and government leaders and experts in the travel and hospitality industry. The judges evaluated the submissions based on the candidates’ dedication at the workplace, relationship with coworkers, customer service, and community stewardship. One outstanding employee each from Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii will be recognized as a “Timeshare with Aloha” awardee. Each receives a two-night stay at a Hawaii timeshare resort and $1,000 to spend during their awarded vacation.

(L-R) Leslie Lyons, Director of Sales Operations at Wyndham Vacation Resorts Hawaii; Ashley M.K. DeCanto, Sales Operations Manager for Wyndham Vacation Resorts Waikiki; and Daniel Dinell, ARDA-Hawaii Chair and Hilton Grand Vacations Vice President for Oahu.

DeCanto has been with Wyndham Vacation Resorts for eight years. The judges say she stood out from the many worthy nominees by carrying the true spirit of aloha in her leadership. According to her nominator, Leslie Lyons, director of sales operations for Wyndham Vacation Resorts Hawaii, DeCanto has led her team to achieve outstanding performance evaluations from her managers and visiting guests. Lyons says DeCanto, who was born and raised in the islands, always strives to represent Hawaii’s culture in a positive way that will impact visitors’ experiences.

DeCanto also shares that same aloha spirit with her community. For the last several years, she has organized food drives to benefit the Hawaii Foodbank and helped organize and participate in the Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association’s annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk.

ARDA-Hawaii is the local chapter of the American Resort Development Association, the national timeshare trade association. Timeshares account for 13 percent of Hawaii’s visitor lodging inventory and thousands of jobs. Learn more about “Timeshare with Aloha” at www.ARDA.org/alohaawards.