A young Bermuda College graduate has taken the reins of a luxurious South Shore resort, it was announced yesterday.

Esan Frederick, 27, is the first local graduate and second black Bermudian male to be appointed general manager of the 68-room Stonington Beach Hotel.

He fills the position vacated by Edmund Tucker, who brought him into the Stonington fold.

The former assistant manager of the facility said: "I am deeply honoured to have been appointed to the position of general manager of the Stonington Beach Hotel. I am equal to the task and look forward to the challenge of taking this very successful hotel into the next century.

"Thank you to the board of directors for giving me an opportunity to showcase my talents and in the process help lead Bermuda back to one of the finest vacation destinations in the world.'' The promotion fills Mr. Frederick's goal of managing one of Bermuda's top properties, an ambition which began as a student at Berkeley Institute. His deputy principal, Robert Horton, advised him to follow a career in the hospitality industry.

Mr. Frederick graduated from the Hospitality Management programme at Bermuda College in 1992 before moving on to Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island where he received an Associate degree in Culinary Arts, a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management and a Master of Business Administration in International Business.

Throughout his education, he was supported by his parents, Bermuda College lecturers Dr. Gloria Frederick and Rawle Frederick.

Mr. Frederick was appointed assistant manager of the hotel last December.

Previously, he was assistant manager at the Princess and executive housekeeper at the Westin Hotel in Providence.

He admitted that he was promoted at a rapid pace but said that excited him. He added that he had wanted to become the general manager of a local tourist property and was pleased to have achieved that goal.

His initial goal is to "saturate the local market'' and open Bermudian eyes to what the Paget property had to offer them.

In the long-term, Mr. Frederick said he would like to see cottages built on the oceanfront side of the property to take advantage of the hotel's location.

But first and foremost, he said he wanted to maintain Stonington's fine service and cuisine.

He noted the hotel served as a training ground for the Bermuda College's hotel programmes and urged more youngsters to sign on and build themselves a future.

In the long term, Mr. Frederick said he would like to manage the property for some time and then head overseas and manage a first class resort abroad.

This would prevent stagnation and provide further education, he continued, which he could then bring back and pass on locally.

Bermuda College President, Dr. George Cook said: "Esan Frederick brings an exceptional educational background to a position which calls both for a manager of a first class resort and an educator of students and staff.'' Tourism Director Gary Phillips said: "It is extremely good news. A part of the re-engineering and re-instilling of passion in this industry is going to come about when we see young, qualified, skilled, trained Bermudians moving up and taking positions of responsibility that are visible.

"This is a very powerful way to generate renewed interest. From what I know of this young man, he has all the attributes I have just mentioned.'' NEW CHIEF -- Stonington Beach's Esan Frederick.

Graphic file name: FREEDER