As Tom Rasinen prepares to step down from his post as director of sales, David Cowles is primed and ready to take his place.


Born in Williamsburg, Virginia, David spent most of his life in Birmingham, Alabama. After working in wireless sales for AT&T, David made his Innisfree debut as a regional sales manager at Hilton Pensacola Beach.


“By that time I had moved down to Fairhope with my wife and two kids,” he says. “I still make the commute, but once I get to the beach, it’s like paradise.”


During that time, David was working for someone you may know — Tom Rasinen.


“Tom has been one of my all-time best bosses,” says David. “I’ve learned so much from him and value the friendship we have.”


David took a brief hiatus from Innisfree and spent time working at Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach, Alabama.


“Gina and George contacted me and told me that Tom was stepping away at the end of 2018, and the director of sales position would be opening,” says David. “It was a welcome call. The opportunity and great culture at Innisfree made it an easy choice.”


For David, the Hilton has always been home. As he prepares to take the reins as director of sales, he is staying humble.


“I know I have some big shoes to fill,” he admits. “Tom does a fantastic job here. I’m always learning from him.”


And although David is taking plenty of pages out of Tom’s book of consistency, he knows that change is inevitable.


“You have to embrace change,” says David. “You just have to buckle up a prepare for the ride.”


Keeping his eyes on the horizon, David is excited about the road the lies ahead.


“I am looking forward to building the sales team, and taking it to the next level,” he says. “I’m prepared to give it my all. I have wanted to be director of sales here for quite some time.”


David’s first full year as director of sales in 2019 will also be the 100-year anniversary of Hilton — no pressure, right?


We welcome David back to Innisfree and wish him the best of luck at his new position as director of sales. Congrats, David!