Marriott Vacation Club has appointed Joseph Smith as general manager of the company’s Oceana Palms - The Palm Beaches on Singer Island in Riviera Beach, Florida. Scheduled to open early 2010, the initial phase of the club’s newest resort will include 75 (out of a proposed 169 upon build-out) two-bedroom villas with balcony.

Smith began his career with Marriott in 1997 at the Residence Inn Las Vegas Convention Center and, in 2001, joined Marriott Vacation Club as the director of services at Marriott’s Shadow Ridge in Palm Desert, California.

In 2006, Smith left the company for a short period of time and served as director of hospitality operations for Centex Destination Properties, and in his most recent role he held the position of vice president of operations for TerraMesa Resorts, LLC - where he was in charge of overseeing the daily operation of six resort communities.

“Joe’s knowledge and wide range of experience, combined with his strong personal commitment to excellence, will be instrumental in guiding Marriott’s Oceana Palms to tremendous success and creating great experiences for our owners and guests,” says Troy Asche, regional vice president of customer experience for the Florida-Caribbean region.