Foley, Ala. – OWA Parks & Resort is proud to announce the arrival of Ken Leone as its new Property Manager, bringing with him decades of industry-leading experience in hospitality management, property development, and revenue optimization.

A Senior Global Hospitality Executive and United States Marine Corps Veteran, Leone has built a reputation as a transformational leader with a proven track record of designing, developing, and managing award-winning hospitality destinations. His arrival at OWA signals a new chapter of growth and innovation for the growing resort.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ken to the OWA family,” said Cody Williamson, President/CEO of Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority and a Poarch Creek Tribal Citizen. “His deep industry expertise and visionary leadership will play a key role in elevating our guest experiences at the property and driving the next phase of strategic growth for OWA.”

As an experienced hospitality professional, Leone is a value creator and change agent known for identifying unique market opportunities that drive operational excellence. He most recently served as Managing Director of OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark, an entertainment destination owned and operated by the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma City, OK, where he oversaw the property from the construction phase through to its opening in 2025. This multi-million dollar development project included a 100,000 square-foot water park, 15 restaurants and 30,000 sq. feet of meeting space.  Throughout his career, he has also been instrumental in:

• Designing and managing three Margaritaville properties, one of which was named #1 Best New Hotel in the U.S. by USA Today in 2018.
• Developing the Westin in Buffalo, NY, which received Best Full-Service Hotel from Marriott in 2019.
• Leading Larkspur Hotels & Restaurants as EVP/COO, where the brand was named #1 Best Place to Work in the San Francisco Bay Area for two consecutive years.
• Driving a 650% ROI through boutique hotel development at Larkspur and spearheading hotel acquisitions and management contracts for Delaware North.

Leone’s strengths lie in creating service excellence environments, while his innovative approach will help support OWA’s continued mission to deliver memorable experiences for all its guests across its entertainment, lodging, and dining offerings.

“OWA represents a rare opportunity to blend innovation and guest-focused service into something truly extraordinary,” said Ken Leone. “My goal is to build on the strong foundation already in place, by empowering our teams, enhancing the guest experience, and driving long-term value through strategic growth and operational excellence.”