Key Appointments and Industry Moves in Hospitality – July 2024

North America

• Rob Smith has been appointed President and CEO at Stonebridge Companies, where he will guide the company’s strategic direction and report to the Board of Directors.
• Tyler Morrissey has been named Director of Engineering at Luminary Hotel & Co., overseeing maintenance and operations to uphold the highest standards of quality and safety.
• TJ Helms joins Thompson Denver as Director of Group Sales, managing group and event sales, planning, marketing, PR, and hotel activations.
• Farrah Staub is now Regional VP of Sales and Marketing at Concord Hospitality, supporting a range of independent and luxury properties across multiple brands.
• Natalie Kimball has been promoted to VP of Strategic Accounts, Americas & EMEA at Shiji Distribution Solutions, reflecting the company’s significant global expansion.
• Christopher Holbrook is the new Complex General Manager at The Westin and Aloft San Francisco Airport, guiding business initiatives and partnerships for both hotels.
• Hans van Wees has been appointed Managing Director at Westport Hospitality, LLC, bringing extensive experience in branded full-service hotels.
• Matt Canning is now General Manager at Hotel Vermont in Burlington, where he will continue to grow the hotel’s presence in the local community.
• William Davenport joins Aimbridge Hospitality as CFO, overseeing financial management, planning, analysis, compliance, and procurement.
• Dieter Schmitz has been named General Manager at Sofitel, with over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry.
• Ryan Rauscher is the new General Manager at The Gabriel South Beach, bringing a strong background in property repositioning and branding.
• Lisa Jordan joins Red Roof as VP of Marketing, responsible for the company’s marketing and digital strategies.
• Roberto Vazquez has been appointed Associate Principal at AXIS Architecture + Design, specializing in adaptive reuse and architectural renovation.
• Drew Horton is the new Hotel Manager at The Redondo Beach Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, with a decade of experience in hospitality.
• Elaina Jardini joins Pacifica Hotels as Area Director of Sales, having previously managed sales and event planning at SpringHill Suites.
• Sol Gumapac has been appointed Director of Sales at Half Moon Bay Lodge, bringing over ten years of industry experience.
• Patrick Clemons is now Corporate Director of Sales at Pacifica Hotels, with 30 years of hospitality experience
•  Sirenia Liu joins Pacifica Hotels as Area Hotel Controller, bringing a 30-year career in hospitality finance.
• Anthony Duggan is the new General Manager at Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, with over 25 years of global hospitality experience.
• Christina Richardson joins Grand Hyatt Deer Valley as Director of Sales, Marketing & Events, bringing extensive experience in luxury hospitality.
• Brigid McDonnell has been named General Manager, Middle East & Africa at Virtuoso, overseeing operations and regional business planning.
• Nathan Hall joins The Hardy Group as Director of Operations, focusing on training, operational efficiency, and personnel support.
• Nelson Parker is the new Chief Strategy Officer at Mohegan, responsible for identifying and executing growth opportunities.
• Kristie Byrd has been promoted to Divisional VP of Sales and Marketing at Concord Hospitality, collaborating with general managers on divisional strategies.
• Aik Hong Tan is the new CIO at Hotel Equities Group, LLC, leading investment strategies in partnership with the Chief Development Officer.
• Anne Buckland joins Snow King Resort as General Manager, bringing over 17 years of hospitality experience.
• Jamie Williams has been appointed Director of Sales at Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana, leading a team of experienced sales professionals.
• Ben McKethan is the new General Manager at The Embers Hotel in Blowing Rock, leveraging his local hospitality experience.
• Harry W. Siebert joins Tampa Marriott Water Street as Director of Restaurants, overseeing F&B management and strategic planning.
• Bob Bracy is the new Director of Food & Beverage at InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco, managing budgets and multiple teams.
• Glenda Rivera has been named General Manager at Zachari Dunes, contributing to the resort’s success since its opening in 2022.
• Robert Rivers joins Universal Helios Grand Hotel as Managing Director, leading the team at this 500-room hotel.
• Jonathan Barisano is the Complex Managing Director at Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort, overseeing these galaxy-themed properties.
• Chris Coles joins as Complex Managing Director at Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort and Universal Aventura Hotel, with a background in Marriott International and Walt Disney World.
• Ivana Johnston has been appointed CEO at Puzzle Partner Ltd., tasked with driving growth and transformation.
• Bill Fanning joins Stayntouch as Chief Revenue Officer, focusing on revenue growth through customer-centric strategies.
• Ted Peters has been promoted to Senior VP of Beverage & Food at Remington Hospitality, leading growth across the company’s properties.
• Paul Freudenthaler is the new CFO at Tambourine, supporting strategic financial planning and execution.
• Stacy Seaborn joins InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk as Director of Sales & Marketing, overseeing the property’s strategic sales and marketing direction.
• Clark Albright has been named Director of Sales & Marketing at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, managing a vast property with extensive amenities.
• Reda Kolta joins Le Méridien Fort Worth Downtown as Director of Food and Beverage, blending French and Texan culinary influences.
• Scott Williams has been promoted to Chief Development and Brand Officer at Main Street Hospitality Group, focusing on strategic growth.
• Stephan Fitz is the new Director of Food and Beverage at The Adolphus, overseeing its diverse dining experiences and catering.
• James Cassidy has been named Executive Chef at Hotel 1000, bringing a rich culinary background.
• Roberto van Geenen joins The Crescent Hotel as General Manager, bringing a legacy of exceptional service.
• David Bilbe is the new General Manager at The Royal Sonesta, overseeing daily operations and guest satisfaction.
• Aaron Slattery joins Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington as General Manager, managing this property near major attractions.

Europe

• Jochen Gaßner has been appointed COO at FutureLog AG, responsible for global operations and European operations.
• Lluc Pons is the new Director of Strategic Account Sales at Shiji Distribution Solutions, enhancing customer performance through strategic initiatives.
• Pedro Lancastre joins Dils as CEO, leading the company’s vision in Portugal with a focus on local expertise and advanced technologies.
• Stephanie Clarke is now Director of Sales & Marketing at The Chancery Rosewood, contributing to luxury hospitality.
• Sophie Rough joins The Chancery Rosewood as Director of Talent & Culture, enhancing employee experience and maintaining brand essence.
• Alice Jónsdóttir has been appointed Director of Communications at The Chancery Rosewood, shaping brand identities and strategic relationships.
• Francesco Ascani is the new General Manager at Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection, with over 30 years in luxury hospitality.
• Iñigo Sánchez-Crespo joins UMusic Hotel Madrid as General Manager, with a proven track record in international markets.
• Mark Haywood is the new CCO, EMEA & APAC at BirchStreet Systems, bringing extensive industry experience to the role.
• Barnaby Kean has been appointed General Manager at voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, located near key transport links.
• Ross Clark is promoted to Director of Operations at The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton, guiding the hotel’s transformation and ESG efforts.
• Steve Coulam has been promoted to VP of Operations at Aimbridge EMEA, managing properties across the UK.
• David Beers joins Choice Hotels EMEA as CEO, focusing on strategic growth and financial performance.
• Tom Gibson is the new General Manager at Cheval Collection Edinburgh, transitioning from Virgin Hotels.
• Peter Norman is SVP Corporate Development and Owner Relations for EAME at Hyatt, focusing on relationships with hotel owners and franchisees.
• Felicity Black-Roberts has been promoted to SVP Development for EAME at Hyatt, leading growth initiatives in the region.

Asia

• Anson Lau has been promoted to Managing Director – Global at Shiji Distribution Solutions, reflecting significant global expansion.
• Aurélie Chiaffi joins The Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa as Spa Director, curating Polynesian-inspired treatments for the new Heavenly Spa.
• Shaarn Letele is the new General Manager at Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Darling Harbour, with a background in reopening Travelodge Wellington.
• Frances Ryall joins Vibe North Sydney as General Manager, bringing expertise from IHG, Accor, and Hyatt Regency brands.
• Arthur Rojas has been appointed Cluster General Manager at Travelodge Hotel Melbourne Docklands and Adina Melbourne Southbank, focusing on team culture and capability.
• Suzanne Pentecost is the new General Manager at Adina Apartment Hotel Auckland Britomart, with previous experience in a Cluster GM role.
• Annabell Javinez joins Travelodge Hotel Auckland Wynyard Quarter as General Manager, with 15 years of hospitality experience.
• Laurence Neumann is the new Director of Sales & Marketing at Gran Meliá Nha Trang, with extensive experience in five-star properties.
• Santosh Singh has been appointed General Manager at Radisson Mumbai Goregaon, overseeing a boutique 71-room hotel.

South America

• Fernando García Rossette has been appointed General Manager at AVA Resort Cancun, overseeing all operational aspects and focusing on strategic objectives and revenue maximization.
• Diego Padula is the new General Manager at Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa, bringing extensive experience to the island’s first international branded hotel.
• Ruben Gabino joins Hilton as General Manager, where he will enhance the luxury hospitality experience in Costa Rica.

Caribbean

• Derek Kokinda has been named Director of Marketing Communications at The Ritz-Carlton, managing the hotel’s marketing and communications strategies.
• Laura Jarvinen is appointed General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, using her experience to improve guest experiences and drive strategic goals.
• Laura Santoni joins The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort as General Manager, bringing over 30 years of expertise in the Caribbean and Latin American markets.
• Fred Khoury has been named General Manager at Point Grace, overseeing operations to maintain high service standards.

Middle East

• Ilkin Imanov has been appointed Chair at Marriott Business Council Qatar, with a background in various aspects of hotel management.
• Chantel Moore is the new General Manager at Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbour, leading operations, marketing, and guest services.
• Alex Willats joins Waldorf Astoria Lusail as General Manager, bringing over 20 years of luxury hospitality leadership.
• Sreeja Mannangath is the new Marketing & Communications Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island.
• Anzhelika Chekhlova has been named Director of Sales at Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, with over 11 years in the industry.
• Ghadi Ahmed joins The Ned Doh as Director of Marketing & Communications, with over 10 years in luxury marketing and PR.
• Elias Saad is appointed Hotel Manager at Royal M Hotel Abu Dhabi, with a 25-year career in hospitality.
• Naike Lopez takes on the role of Director of Operations at Marriott Marquis City Center Doha, with 16 years of hospitality experience.
• Esra Parin joins Park Hyatt Doha as General Manager, with over 20 years in luxury travel.
• Zeinab Ahmed has been named Director of Quality at The Ritz-Carlton and will serve on the MEA Quality Assurance Advisory Board for 2024.
• Deepak Mehta joins Shangri-La Muscat as Director of Finance, bringing nearly 20 years of financial management experience.
• Wanalee Samutkhochorn is the new Director of Spa at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi.
• Mohammed Kadi has been appointed Director of Rooms at The Ritz-Carlton.
• Philippe Kronberg joins Shangri-La Muscat as Resort General Manager, overseeing the resort’s operations across three hotels.