OWA Parks & Resort has strengthened its executive leadership team with the appointments of Melissa "Mel" Sells as senior director of operations and Danny Lyons as general manager of Tropic Hideaway RV Resort at OWA.

The appointments bring more than six decades of combined experience in attractions, hospitality, resort operations and guest service to the destination as it continues to expand and enhance its offerings for visitors.

Sells joins OWA Parks & Resort with more than 35 years of leadership experience across the theme park, attractions, hospitality and entertainment industries. She has held leadership positions at several of the nation's best-known attractions, including SeaWorld San Diego, Sesame Place California, SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Raging Waters San Jose and most recently CaliBunga Waterpark San Jose, where she served as general manager and oversaw daily operations of the multimillion-dollar facility.

Her background includes park operations, guest experience, safety, revenue management and team development.

In her new role, Sells will oversee park operations and guest experiences across OWA Parks & Resort with a focus on operational excellence, team member development, safety and creating memorable guest experiences.

"I am honored to join the OWA Parks & Resort team at such an exciting time in the destination's growth. Throughout my career, I've been passionate about creating exceptional guest experiences while building strong, empowered teams," Sells said in the release. "OWA has established itself as a unique destination with tremendous potential, and I look forward to working alongside our team members to enhance operations, foster a culture of excellence and create memorable moments for every guest who visits."

Lyons joins OWA as general manager of Tropic Hideaway RV Resort, bringing more than 27 years of hospitality leadership experience with expertise in resort operations, revenue growth, team development and guest satisfaction.

He began his career with Disney in food and beverage operations before moving into hotel and condominium management. In 2018, Lyons entered the RV resort industry and has spent the past eight years managing full-service RV resorts while creating vacation experiences for guests from across the country.

Most recently, Lyons served as senior general manager for Sun Outdoors in Orange Beach, where he oversaw staffing, budgeting, operational planning and guest experience initiatives for the large-scale resort property. The resort achieved the company's No. 1 ranking in sales growth over budget in 2024 under his leadership.

As general manager of Tropic Hideaway RV Resort, Lyons will oversee all aspects of resort operations with an emphasis on guest satisfaction, team culture, operational efficiency and maintaining an exceptional experience for travelers visiting Alabama's Gulf Coast.

"Tropic Hideaway RV Resort offers a truly special experience for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation along Alabama's Gulf Coast. I'm excited to join the OWA team and build upon the strong foundation that has already been established. My focus will be on delivering outstanding guest experiences, supporting our team members and ensuring every guest leaves with lasting memories and a desire to return. I look forward to helping Tropic Hideaway continue to grow as one of the region's premier luxury RV destinations."

Ken Leone, OWA Parks & Resort park manager, said the additions strengthen the organization's leadership as it continues to grow.

"We are thrilled to welcome both Mel and Danny to the OWA family. Their combined expertise in attractions, hospitality, and resort operations brings tremendous value to our organization. Mel's extensive leadership experience within the theme park industry and Danny's proven success in hospitality and RV resort management make them outstanding additions to our leadership team. As OWA Parks & Resort continues to grow, their passion for guest service, team development, and operational excellence will help us elevate the experience we provide to every guest who visits our destination."