Director and Associate Professor
Phone: (239)590-7710
E-Mail: sbrezina@fgcu.edu
Office: Sugden, 206 C

Sherie Brezina received a BA and MA from the University of Florida  and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University, specializing in natural resource based tourism and the convention industry.  In May of 2003, she was  hired as the Director of the Resort & Hospitality Management Division at Florida Gulf Coast University, in Fort Myers Florida. Her charge is to develop and implement the new degree focused on Resort Management.
 
 Previous university work experience includes five years as faculty for the University of West Florida, developing the tourism curriculum and  a hospitality, recreation and resort program, and  as an assistant professor and graduate  coordinator at the University of New Havens School of Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism and Dietetics, developing an Executive Master’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism. 
 
Prior to joining academia Dr. Brezina  worked for the City of Tampa as a budget analyst and later Marketing Director for the Convention Facilities Department.  Other work experience includes national feasibility and management consulting for convention centers, hotels, convention bureaus, and stadiums, and experience as a Mainstreet Project Manager.  Sherie grew up in the hospitality business. Her father owned a small seasonal resort in Michigan.  She began cleaning rooms at 13, during high school she waited tables, and  later in College  worked as an Assistant General Manager.
 
 Dr. Brezina teaches resort courses at FGCU, and speaks on resort and tourism issues with a nature based and community development emphasis.    She is a member of numerous professional hospitality and tourism industry associations and several environmental organizations. Currently serving as Vice President of the Southeast Chapter of the Travel, Tourism and Research Association, and serves on the Board for the SW Florida, SEE ( Society for Ethical Ecotourism).