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Fred V. Alias began his distinguished career in the hotel industry after graduating from the University of Mississippi with a BBA degree in marketing and sales. After graduation, he joined Holiday Inns, Inc. of Memphis, Tennessee as National Sales Representative in Los Angeles, California for the then 1,100 inn hotel chain. He was ultimately promoted to Assistant to the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Holiday Inns, Inc., in charge of all international sales offices outside the continental United States. Offices under his direction included Tokyo, London, Paris and Zurich. Alias left Holiday Inns in 1973 to join Atlanta-based W.B. Johnson Properties Inc. (owner of the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company). During his nine years with this prestigious firm, he served as Vice President of Marketing, Vice President of Development, Executive Vice President of Operations, and ultimately as Chief Operating Officer. Under his direction, the firm went from owning and operating five Holiday Inns to a network of 12 of the largest Holiday Inns on the East Coast, in addition to the development and ownership of five Marriott hotels. Alias developed the 1,500-room Orlando Marriott, which at the time and remains today the largest franchise ever granted by Marriott Corporation in the United States. From 1975 until 1982 Mr. Alias was the Vice Chairman of W.B. Johnson Properties, Inc. owner of the Ritz Carlton Hotel Company. In 1982, Alias and Frank Flautt, Jr. formed Sandcastle Resorts, Inc.