The Boutique Search Firm
Heads Above the Rest - April 2023

The Newsletter of The Boutique Search Firm, a worldwide retained recruiting firm specializing in hospitality management.

Market update​​

• Leisure and hospitality added 72,000 jobs in March, lower than the average monthly gain of 95,000 over the prior 6 months.
• Most of the job growth occurred in food services and drinking places, where employment rose by 50,000 in March.
• Employment in leisure and hospitality is below its pre-pandemic February 2020 level by 368,000, or 2.2 percent.

 
Recent Appointments
 
­­North America​

• Kai Fischer has been appointed as General Manager at B Resort & Spa in Orlando. He will be responsible for guaranteeing an outstanding guest experience.
• Nour Laasri named Area General Manager at Marriott Marquis Houston. He will serve as an active member of the Houston community and will help the hotel team foster deeper relationships with local officials and businesses in the area.
• Missy Auge joins Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection in Sante Fe as Wine Director. She will oversee the wine operations for the 100-room resort, which serves as a luxurious and soulful retreat steeped in New Mexico's heritage.
• Meyer Jabara Hotels announced the appointment of Jay Sarkar as Chief Financial Officer. He is tasked with planning the financial future of the management company.
• Courtney Jones has been appointed as Vice President of Enterprise Sales at OTA Insight. She will focus on supporting North American hotel chain clients with commercial intelligence solutions.
• Alfonso Martínez is excited to embark on a new journey with NIZUC Resort & Spa as General Manager. He will continue encouraging collaboration to ensure strong training, motivation for success, and dedication.
• Edwin Torres has been promoted to Complex General Manager at Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel and OHANA Waikiki East by Outrigger in Honolulu. He will oversee all the daily hotel operations and services.
• Kiana Beimes has been promoted to Hotel Manager at OHANA Waikiki East by Outrigger in Honolulu. She holds an Associate of Science degree in hospitality and tourism with a concentration on hospitality operations management from Kapi'olani Community College.
• Asari Tashima has been promoted to Director, Market Development – Asia at Outrigger Hospitality Group. She will be an integral part of bringing Outrigger's important Asia source market back as the continent continues to recover from the pandemic.
• Hilton Alexandria Mark Center is pleased to announce that Audrey Vincent has been appointed as Director of Catering. She will utilize her 17 years of experience and well-earned talents to strengthen the synergy between Hilton Alexandria Mark Center's culinary and events programs.
• Ben Winston has been appointed as Board Director at MGM Resorts International. He is founding partner of the production company Fulwell 73 and has earned 12 Emmy Awards and 31 Emmy nominations.
• Diana M Chan has been appointed as Executive Director of Sales at Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s New York. She previously held sales and marketing roles with Faena Hotels, The Savoy London, and The St. Regis New York.
• Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s New York is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam Klein as Vice President.  His new role will support the hotel to maintain Groupe Barrière's signature level of service throughout all areas of the group's first US property.
• Alaina Sweeney joins The St. Regis Washington, D.C. from The St. Regis Aspen Resort as the Director of Operations. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge in luxury markets, extensive experience with high-end clientele and international guests.
• Abby Nurre has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Hyatt Regency Aurora Denver Conference Center. Previously she served as the property's assistant director of sales since joining the Hyatt in 2019.
• Vail Resorts announced the appointment of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Bill Rock as President of the company's Mountain Division. He joined Vail Resorts in 2010 as chief operating officer of NorthStar California Resort.
• Kurt Ekert has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Sabre Hospitality Solutions. He joined Sabre in January 2022 as President as part of the company's long term succession plans, as it split the role of President and CEO.
• Christina Santarelli-Foster has been appointed as VP of Marketing at First Hospitality. She brings more than 15 years of expertise in strategic marketing, communications, and brand strategy to this position.
• Chris Luersen has been appointed General Manager of The Eddy Taproom & Hotel in Golden, Colorado. He brings more than a decade of hospitality experience and a deep knowledge of the Front Range market to The Eddy.
• Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s New York is pleased to appoint Adam Klein as Vice President and Diana M Chan as Executive Director of Sales. The pair brings years of experience and a deep knowledge of the luxury hospitality industry to one of New York’s newest luxury hotels.
• Hotel La Compañía, is thrilled to welcome Anya Buitrago as Director of Sales & Marketing. She will be responsible for managing all sales and marketing strategies, tactics, and promotions to strategically generate awareness and sales across audiences.
• Melissa Arana named as Vice President of Revenue Strategy at Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG). In this newly created role, She will oversee the revenue strategy team for the entire company.
• Denise Hanas has been appointed as Corporate Director of Marketing Strategy at Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG). In her newly created role, she will expand on her most recent consulting position with the company by overseeing the company's hotel marketing strategy.
• Atlantis Paradise Island appoints François Gauthier as Vice President Food & Beverage. With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, He was most recently the Director of Operations for W Boston Hotel.
• KSL Resorts, has named David Makarsky its new Managing Director. In his new position, he takes over all management for the 560-acre resort – an expansive retreat offering a full range of indoor and outdoor activities.
• Daniela Trovato has been promoted to Regional Vice President and General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel and Residences at The Surf Club. His responsibilities include guidance of South Florida’s four distinct properties including Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach, Four Seasons Hotel Miami, and Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale.
• South Coast Winery Resort & Spa has named seasoned culinary professional Albert Park as its new Executive Chef at this multi-award-winning winery and luxurious wine country resort. Prior to this appointment, he served as executive sous chef at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach. 
• Hotel Haya in Ybor City proudly announces the arrival of Chef Eric McHugh as the new Executive Chef of Flor Fina. At the helm of the Latin and Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, he has crafted a refreshed menu that celebrates the heritage and diversity of the restaurant’s destination.
• Great Wolf Resorts named Mark Lewis as Senior Vice President of Field Operations. In this role, He will be responsible for delivering operational excellence and strengthening the overall guest experience at the 18 U.S.-based Great Wolf Lodge resorts. 
• Che Sutton has been appointed as General Manager at Marriott Irvine Spectrum. He brings more than two decades of hospitality experience to his role at Marriott Irvine Spectrum.
• Nelson Sanchez has been promoted as Executive Chef at Marriott Irvine Spectrum. He brings more than a decade of culinary experience to his new role as executive chef of the hotel's diverse outlets.
• Charline Bianchi has been appointed as Director of Room Operations at Marriott Irvine Spectrum. She brings her inspiring vision and passion to her role at Marriott Irvine Spectrum and she is responsible for leading day-to-day room operations.
• Hotel Nashville is pleased to announce the appointment of Onal Kucuk as General Manager. He will spearhead all operations and strategic goals for the property and brings extensive experience in luxury and lifestyle hotels.
• Aaron Stiles has been promoted as Vice President of Operations at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. He will be responsible for the successful operation of The Surf Club, the rooms and food and beverage divisions, the housekeeping team and the security department.
• The Mile High City's boutique lifestyle property Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver appoints Katie Williams as Business Travel Sales Manager. She brings her deep industry knowledge and steadfast passion for hospitality to her newfound role.
• Juan Flores has been appointed as General Manager at The Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection. He brings more than 20 years of experience to his position as General Manager
• Libby Nations has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa Autograph Collection. Over the course of her career, she has headed the sales and marketing departments for a number of hotels and resorts.
• Haytham Said has been promoted General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale. From trainee journeying to General Manager, He knows every detail about managing the most service-centric collection of hotels and resorts in the world.
• South Coast Winery Resort & Spa has named seasoned culinary professional Albert Park as its new Executive Chef. Prior to this appointment, Park served as executive sous chef at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif., overseeing Talbot Grill.
• Mazen Saleh has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach. He is a 20-year Four Seasons veteran and an adored-by-all leader.
• Jessica Cissel has been promoted to General Manager at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Frederick. Her experience began at the Courtyard by Marriott Frederick, and a year later she was recognized by Plamondon Hospitality Partners with their Shining Star award.
• Conny Gutierrez has been promoted to Director of Lifestyle at Crossroads Hotel in Kansas City. She first met the Crossroads Hotel team as an opening team member of the property's rooftop bar, Percheron. 
• Lauren Hobart has been appointed as Member of the Board of Directors at Marriott International, Inc. She is the third CEO in the company's 75-year history and the first non-family member CEO.
• Grant Reid named as Member of the Board of Directors at Marriott International, Inc. He fused performance with purpose, delivered sustainable growth, ramped up Mars' digital capabilities, built its iconic brands and expanded into newer territories.
• Walter Peseski has been appointed as Vice President of Business Development at First Hospitality. He brings more than 15 years of experience in hotel and lifestyle brands to this new position.
• Barbara Readey has been appointed as General Manager at The Don CeSar in St. Pete. She will look after daily hotel operations, programming, sales and marketing efforts, budgets and more.
• Walter Silva has been appointed as Executive Chef at The Kimpton Banneker in Washington DC. He oversees menu development, staff training, inventory management, vendor communications and more. 
• McColbert Evrard has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at The Kimpton Banneker in Washington DC. His multi-faceted position encompasses managing all the food and beverage operations throughout the hotel's dining outlets.
• Steven Kalczynski has been appointed as Managing Director at Lotte Hotel Seattle. As the newest appointment to the growing executive leadership team, He will drive forward the luxury hotel's mission of delivering exceptional guest experiences.
•  David Belknap has been promoted to Area Executive Chef at Shaner Hotels, Ohio region. He first joined Shaner back in 2017 to lead the kitchen at Spanish-inspired rooftop lounge and restaurant, VASO at The AC Hotel.
• Cletus Pancham has been appointed as General Manager at Greyfinch Chatham Inn. He brings an extensive skill set to his new position with ample hospitality experience.
• Jennifer Simmons has been appointed as Director of Guest Services at Greyfinch Chatham Inn. She will bring her wealth of expertise to her new role.
• Anthony Fantaroni has been appointed as Director of Food and Beverage at The Wild Goose Tavern at Greyfinch Chatham Inn. He brings nearly 10 years of culinary experience from his previous senior roles.
• Katharina Findlay has been appointed as General Manager at PACIFIC 19 Kona in Kailua Kona. She will oversee all daily hotel operations at PACIFIC 19 Kona, spanning from guest relations and housekeeping to revenue management and marketing.
• Marc Boussarie has been appointed as Executive Chef of the Snow King Resort, Jackson’s Hole, Wyoming. His vast culinary experience made him the perfect choice for the role.
• Melissa (MJ) Mosher has been appointed as Spa Director of the Snow King Resort, Jackson’s Hole, Wyoming. She brings more than 30 years of industry experience to her new role as Spa Director.
• LW Hospitality Advisors (LWHA) announced the appointment of Embree C. "Chuck" Bedsole, II as Managing Director, Asset Management/Restructuring and Bankruptcy/M&A. He has more than 40 years of international lodging industry experience.
• Ben Perelmuter has been appointed as President & Chief Operating Officer (COO) at TPG Hotels & Resorts. He brings almost 30 years of hospitality leadership experience to TPG Hotels & Resorts.
• Augie Saucedo has been appointed as Executive Chef at Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa. He brings two decades of experience in his role where he is responsible for maintaining and elevating the outstanding culinary experience.
• Cristiano Gonçalves has been appointed as Vice President, Development South America at Hyatt Hotels Corporation in Miami. He brings more than two decades of experience to Hyatt's development team.
• Phil Hugh named as Head of Luxury & Lifestyle Development at Sonesta International Hotels Corporation. He brings with him 20 years of experience in leading and motivating lodging development teams.
• Chris Inman has been appointed as General Manager at Hilton West Palm Beach. With 15 years of hospitality experience, He has served in management positions in food and beverage as well as hotel operations.
• Andaz West Hollywood is excited to announce the appointment of Kris Phillips as the new Director of Sales, Marketing and Events. In his new role, he will primarily oversee and spearhead strategy for sales and marketing.
• Richard Pelz has been promoted to Property Executive Chef of The We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort. In his new leadership role, he will oversee the culinary operations and stewarding departments for the award-winning resort’s six dining outlets.
• Colleen Brzozowski named as Regional Director of Global Sales at Hard Rock International, Midwest. She is an award-winning hospitality industry veteran recognized for her strengths that drive revenue and delight.
• Robby Delaney has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley in Calistoga. With a 16-year legacy at Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts, He brings a wealth of hospitality management experience.
• Stephanie Dowling has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Relations at Preferred Travel Group. With more than 25 years of experience, She leads communications efforts for Preferred Hotels and Resorts.
• Gladys Camphuijsen named as Vice President of Sales and New Business Development for Europe, South Asia, Middle East, and Africa at Preferred Travel Group.  In this role, she has strategic oversight of sales operations and new business development.
• Jennifer Munro has been appointed as Vice President of Loyalty at Preferred Travel Group. She is responsible for setting a vision for the program's evolution and directs all operations and delivery initiatives.
• Simone Mariote has been promoted to Executive Vice President for South America at Preferred Travel Group. In this newly created role, She leads development and retention efforts in the region through expanding the company's portfolio presence.
• Janette Ament has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer at Noble House Hotels and Resorts.  In her new role, she is responsible for corporate finance, oversight of lender and treasury management, strategic planning and operations.
• Jamie Colee has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Noble House Hotels and Resorts. He began his Noble House career in 1993and now has 30 years of hospitality and company experience.
• Terri Lester joined Duetto as Director of Sales for North America. She brings to the role experience in cloud-based software, most recently with Intrado.
• Axel Torres has been appointed as Executive Chef at The Hythe, a Luxury Collection Resort in Vail.  He now leads the culinary team at Vail's newest luxury resort across four outlets, weekly epicurean experiences and hundreds of banquets.
• Daniel Benton has been appointed as General Manager at Hyatt Regency Aurora Denver Conference Center. He brings over 23 years of hospitality experience to his new role as general manager having previously served as the general manager at the Hilton Fort Collins.
• Adam Greene has been appointed as Executive Vice President at Peachtree Group. He brings over 30 years of financial experience, including over a decade of EB-5 industry expertise.
• Katherine Herberholz has been appointed as Dual General Manager at Cherry Tree Inn & Suites and Hotel Indigo Traverse City. She has more than a decade of hospitality experience and a track record of high guest satisfaction in both transient and group markets.
• Carl Hubbard has been appointed as General Manager at Mondrian Los Angeles in West Hollywood. He will oversee the leadership team behind the positioning of Mondrian Los Angeles as a cultural connector through the hotel's thoughtful partnerships.
• Konrad Gstrein has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas. He brings an impressive 27 years of hospitality experience, including a 22-year tenure at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts properties across the globe.
• The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel welcomes Kelly Steward as the new General Manager of the 18-acre oceanfront resort. She spent two out of her three decades of hotel experience with The Ritz-Carlton.
• Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Jean Schulte as Director of Sales. Bringing over 30 years of hospitality expertise, she will develop the recently refreshed Southern California property.
• Troy Wood has been appointed as Director of Sales at Terranea Resort. He takes charge of developing, overseeing and coordinating all sales initiatives for the acclaimed Mediterranean-style resort.
• Gavin Pera has been appointed as Executive Chef at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta. He brings with him a rich array of skills and a nuanced perspective stemming from a lifetime in the hospitality industry.
• Matt Bergeron has been appointed as Hotel Manager at The Lytle Park Hotel in Cincinnati. He was recognized as a member of the Pyramid Global APEX program, which awards up-and-coming future General Managers in the company.
• Morty Valldejuli has been appointed as Area Managing Director at The Lytle Park Hotel in Cincinnati. He brings over 25 years of hospitality industry and hotel leadership experience to his new role.
• Oliver Gibbons has been appointed as General Manager at The St. Regis Chicago Hotel and Residences. He will lead The St. Regis Chicago team and oversee the day-to-day operations of the property
• Frederick J. Pérez has been appointed as General Manager at The Residences at the St. Regis Chicago. He will oversee day-to-day operations of The Residences and ensure resident satisfaction at the 393-unit ultra-luxury property. 
• Jackie Collens has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at The St. Regis Chicago. She brings two decades of experience from flagship, luxury hotels throughout New York City.
• Yago del Rincon has been appointed as Director of Operations at The St. Regis Chicago. With more than two decades of luxury hotel leadership experience across seven Ritz-Carlton hotels, he joins the team as Director of Operations.
• Becker Lara has been appointed as Director of Engineering at The St. Regis Chicago, Hotel and Residences. He will lead the engineering teams and projects for both The St. Regis Chicago Hotel and Residences.
• Kamil Kowalski has been appointed as Director of Finance & Accounting at The St. Regis Chicago. Kowalski has served in leadership roles across several Marriott Chicagoland hotels.
• Rita Grant has been appointed as Director of Human Resources at The St. Regis Chicago Hotel and Residences. She will lead human resources efforts for both The St. Regis Chicago Hotel and Residences including building, acquiring, and retaining top talent.
• Megan Candioto has been appointed as Director of Revenue Management at The St. Regis Chicago. She brings nearly two decades of experience working with international hotel brands and will be responsible for hotel's top line revenue strategy.

​
Europe​

• Sascha Hemmann has been appointed as Managing Director at Rosewood Schloss Fuschl. With a distinguished career that spans nearly 30 years, He is intimately familiar with the Rosewood brand  serving as Managing Director of Rosewood Bermuda for over three years.
• Siann Reid has been appointed General Manager at Doubletree by Hilton Glasgow Westerwood Spa and Golf Resort. With extensive knowledge in food & beverage and leisure management, her career history spans over 13 years within the hospitality industry.
• Reto Moser has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotels Istanbul. He started his professional career in Chicago, USA and held senior management and general manager positions in a number of hotels.
• Alliants, the experts in customer experience, has appointed Custódio Barreiros as Consultant. He will play a key role at Alliants in serving the ever-rising demand for innovative digital solutions that enrich the customer experience.
• Sophie Volant has been promoted to Hotel Manager at Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes. She graduated from the Institute Paul Bocuse in 1998; one of the most prestigious hospitality and culinary arts management schools in Lyon.
• Philippe Perd is proud to announce the appointment of Thierry Demolliens as Resident Manager. He graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor in Tourism Studies in Hotel and Restaurant Management.
• Jérémy Heuline has been appointed as Head of Food & Beverage at Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes. His most notable experience, until Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, was the opening of the Mandarin Oriental Paris in 2011.
• Jérémy Berthon has been promoted to Manager of the Eden-Roc Restaurant and Louroc restaurant at Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes. He began his career at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc during the summer season of 2012 as a Sommelier.
• Kerry Healy has been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer for Premium, Midscale & Economy brands at Accor Middle East, Africa, Turkey & Asia Pacific. He has a proven track record of managing teams, building trust and designing robust strategies.
• Victoria Sertic has been promoted as Senior Vice President, Brand, Marketing & Loyalty at Accor Middle East, Africa, Turkey & Asia Pacific. She has held various senior leadership positions in luxury hospitality and regional destination management companies.
• Kent Warren has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Topline Performance & Business Intelligence at Accor Middle East, Africa, Turkey & Asia Pacific. He is a highly respected hotelier with more than 28 years of high-level experience.
• Antony Meguerdijian has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Sales at Accor Middle East, Africa, Turkey & Asia Pacific. He brings more than 23 years of hospitality experience to his new position.
• Amro Khoudeir has been promoted to Vice President, Digital & Distribution at Accor Middle East, Africa, Turkey & Asia Pacific. He is a commercial leader with more than 15 years of digital, product, technology and management experience.
• Sarah Fernandez has been promoted to Vice President, PR & Communications at Accor Middle East, Africa, Turkey & Asia Pacific. Alongside her position on the Executive Committee, she will also be supporting communications requirements. 
• Tommy So has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Hyatt Regency and Hyatt House London Stratford. He brings with him extensive experience and a desire to further elevate all the F&B&E offerings at the hotels.
• James Smith has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Hyatt Regency and Hyatt House London Stratford.  He is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the day-to-day running of all hotel operations.
• Ruth Abellan has been appointed as the new General Manager at Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz. She brings over 20 years of experience in international hotel business to her new position.
• Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel welcomes Pierre-Jean Quinonero as Pastry Chef beginning April 10, 2023. He was awarded a Passion Dessert prize by the Michelin Guide 2023 as well as Pastry Chef of the Year 2023 by La Liste.
• Fiona Morgan has been appointed as Global Director of Sales, Marketing & PR at Lore Group in London. In her new role, She will lead the group's strategy across Sales, Marketing and PR for all current and future properties.
• Matthew Thomas has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer at Lore Group in London. Prior to this he was with Soho House, holding General Manager roles in New York and Istanbul.
• The Ritz Paris is pleased to announce that Laurent Herschbach has been appointed as General Manager of the hotel. Born in Luxembourg, he joined the Ritz Paris in 1997.
• David Taylor joined Lore Group as Chief Operating Officer (COO). In his new role he will oversee the operations of the group including hotels, restaurants and bars.
• Richard Cooke has been promoted to Cluster Managing Director at Rocco Forte Hotels. He will now take leadership responsibility for both The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, and Brown's Hotel in London.
• Chris Thomas has been appointed as General Manager at Moxy & Residence Inn Slough. This is his fourth position within Cycas Hospitality, having first joined the company back in 2014.
• Xavier Perret has been appointed as General Manager at Hyatt House & Hyatt Place Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Roissy-en-France. He brings a wealth of both operational and financial experience within the hotel industry to the role.
• Khalid Gaddur has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Deventer. He joins the team with over 20 years' experience in the Dutch market.
• Philip Steiner has been appointed as General Manager at Bankside Hotel in London. He first joined Cycas in 2018 as Director of Accommodations & Serviced Apartments, before becoming General Manager.
• Pedro Mendes has been appointed as General Manager at Courtyard London City Airport. With over 20 years' international hospitality experience, he brings extensive brand knowledge to the role.
• Scott Jakins has been appointed as General Manager at Staybridge Suites London-Vauxhall. Over the last 20 years he has built up his operational expertise working across key properties in both Australia and the United Kingdom.
• Guntram Weipert has been appointed as General Manager at Steigenberger Parkhotel, Düsseldorf in Dusseldorf. He held positions along the way at St. Regis, Four Seasons, Hyatt and Hilton, before joining Steigenberger Hotels in 2008.
• Marc Jones has been appointed as General Manager at Four Points by Sheraton Edinburgh Haymarket. He is one of the newest General Managers to join the Cycas team.
• Friedrich von Schönfeldt has been appointed as General Manager at Steigenberger Icon Grandhotel Handelshof in Leipzig. He has been working as Hotel Manager at Steigenberger Icon Frankfurter Hof since 2020.
• Thibaut Drege has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest. With an experience spanning across almost two decades in the luxury hospitality industry, he brings new inspiration and a drive for excellence.
• Jeremy Degras has been promoted to Executive Chef at Badrutt's Palace Hotel. He will oversee culinary direction for the hotel's multiple restaurants and bars, as well as catering services for corporate and leisure events.
• David Young has been appointed as Chief Sustainability Officer and Director of ESG at Accor Pacific. He has extensive ESG, commercial and operational experience gained over many years from working in the travel industry.
• Paul Russell has been appointed as General Manager at Norton Park Hotel, Spa & Manor House in Winchester. His career history spans 28 years in the hospitality industry, has previously managed various types of resorts across the UK.
• Jean-Marc Dizerens has been appointed as Vice President Food and Beverage at Kempinski Hotels S.A. An experienced hotelier with more than 25 years in global F & B, he had a long tenure with Shangri-La and was promoted through multiple progressively responsible roles.
• Louise Adolph has been appointed as General Manager at ibis Styles Copenhagen Orestad. She has over 22 years of hospitality experience in the region.
• Anne-Laure Kiechel has been appointed as Board Director at Accor. She is a graduate of HEC and the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland) and also holds a degree in mathematics.
• John Pelant named as Executive Vice President, Chief Experience & Technology Officer at CWT in America. He joined CWT in 1991 and has held various leadership positions, with both global and Americas remits.
• Jim Shepherd named as Executive Vice President (EVP) & Chief Financial Officer at CWT in America. He is responsible for the delivery of analysis, decision support, and leadership of Financial Planning and Analysis.
• Paul Stevens has been appointed as COO for Middle East, Turkey and Africa at Accor. He is the new chief operating officer for Middle East, Turkey and Africa, running premium, midscale and economy properties.

­­

Asia​

• Marc Dille has been appointed as General Manager at Islington Hotel Hobart in South Hobart. He is an industry all-rounder and brings over two decades of experience to his role. 
• Simon Anderson has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Holiday Inn & Suites Bondi Junction. He has got a strong background in hotel management operations, working in faced paced environments.
• Novotel Bangkok Platinum is pleased to announce the appointment of Cindy Delhomel as General Manager. She brings extensive expertise in various areas such as room division, food and beverage concept creation, talent development, and finance.
• Noriko Nakayama has been appointed as Managing Director at Rosewood Miyakojima. Noriko's vast knowledge of the hospitality space will be central to the opening of the hotel as Rosewood enters a new market.
• Lucy Werner has been promoted from Senior Vice President of Commercial to Chief Commercial Officer at Rosewood Hotel group. In her new role she will continue to lead revenue generation strategies across sales, marketing and distribution.
• Mehvesh Mumtaz Ahmed will advance to the role of Vice President of Social Impact at Rosewood Hotel Group. This new role signifies the progression of Rosewood Impacts, which embeds programs to empower people in internal and external communities.
• Rosewood veteran Agnes Park has been promoted to Senior Vice President and General Counsel. She will be responsible for overall leadership of the Company's general legal, data privacy and compliance functions with a global outlook.
• Mohamed Hussain Shihab Appointed as HR Cluster Director for InterContinental Maldives and Holiday Inn Maldives. Throughout his professional career, Shihab has studied and worked across the world, such as the USA, Sri Lanka and the middle east.
• Anne Gill has taken up the role of Senior Vice President Commercial, Premium, Midscale and Economy, for Accor Pacific. She joined Accor in 2019 and has held the role of Vice President Sales and Connected Partners in the Pacific region for the past three and a half years.
• Steven Lake has been appointed Senior Vice President Finance, Premium, Midscale and Economy, for Accor Pacific. In addition to his finance responsibilities, Steven was leader of Procurement for 3 years.
• Angela Howard will commence in the position of Senior Vice President Talent & Culture, Premium, Midscale & Economy, for Accor Pacific. She is an accomplished executive with over 20 years' experience delivering the strategic direction and operational effectiveness of Human Resource practices.
• Claire Haigh has been promoted to Vice President Communications, Premium, Midscale and Economy, for Accor Pacific. She joined Accor three years ago as Director of Communications and was recently awarded Travel Communicator of the Year by the Australian Society of Travel Writers.
• Novotel Phuket Kata Avista Resort & Spa is pleased to announce Carlyle Rebello's appointment as an Executive Chef. With over 16 years of experience in the industry, He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the culinary arts.
• Amanda Hoolihan has been appointed as Global Revenue Officer at TFE Hotels in Brisbane. She will work to enhance TFE's revenue management practices and drive innovation, and ultimately results, for the group.
• Katia Giurtalis has been appointed as Global Marketing Officer at TFE Hotels. She will be responsible for steering the global growth of TFE's brands, and ensuring guest experiences are enhanced through digital technology.
• Shahnaz Bakhshay has been appointed Global Sales Officer at TFE Hotels. She will be focused on developing and implementing global (and local) sales strategies and driving cross pollination of client coverage.
• Gargi Guha has been appointed as Director of Marketing and Communications at The St. Regis Goa Resort. She is an experienced professional with over two decades of cumulative experience in sales and marketing.
• Sandhya Sharma has been appointed as Associate Director of Marketing at The St. Regis Goa Resort. She has a rich experience working closely with hotels in the Marriott and Hilton brand portfolio in the APEC and North American Market.
• Bijo Thomas has been appointed as the Digital Marketing Manager at The St. Regis Goa Resort. He has been a key player in the resort's branding since October 2022 and handling all aspects of marketing for the hotel.
• Paul Stocker has been announced as the new Vice President of Operations in Southeast Asia for Minor Hotels, an international hotel owner, operator and investor based in Thailand. He steps into his new role to help take Minor Hotels to the next phase of growth.
• Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong welcomes Federico Balzarini as the new Beverage Manager. He will be heading ARGO and leading the beverage program of the award-winning bar.
• William J. Haandrikman has been appointed as Managing Director at Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford. He brings more than 30 years of international hospitality experience in senior management positions across Europe, USA and Asia.
• Khun Preecha Yarangwong has joined the Holiday Inn and Suites Siracha Laemchabang on Thailand's eastern seaboard as General Manager. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Bangkok's Kasem Bundit University.
• Adrian Pulido has been appointed as General Manager at Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa. He is a highly experienced hotel executive who has held leadership roles at high-profile resorts in the Americas, Middle East and Asia Pacific.
• James Sutcliffe has been appointed as General Manager at Avani+ Khao Lak Resort. He has got over a decade of operational experience in the hospitality industry.
• Craig Cochrane has been appointed as Chief People Officer (CPO) at Minor Hotels.  He joins the Bangkok-based group from his former role as Senior Vice President of Talent & Culture - Turkey, India, Middle East & Africa at Accor Hotels.
• Christian Dolenc has been appointed as Area Vice President, Operations at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, South China. He will also continue in his role as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Shenzhen.

­­South America​

• Rene Camelo has been appointed as Executive Chef at Kempinski Hotel Cancún. He will be overseeing all the culinary experiences throughout the property, or better said, his home away from home.

Carribean​

• Bequia Beach Hotel is pleased to announce its appointment of Elisabeth Alleyne as General Manager. With a career in hospitality that spans over 20 years, she has a wealth of experience within the luxury travel industry. 
• Andrew Archibald has been appointed Managing Director at Rosewood Bermuda in Hamilton. He will work closely with the Bermuda Tourism Authority to support the resort's mission of providing guests with immersive experiences and authentic programming.
• François Gauthier has been appointed as Vice President Food & Beverage at Atlantis Paradise Island. He will oversee the resort's extensive bar, lounge and nightclub experiences, including the beverage programs for Paranza.
• Maggie Mojica has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. With more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, she will drive the business development and execution of the property's sales initiatives.

­­Middle East​

• Eric Masalawala has been appointed as Operations Manager at Premier Inn Dubai Dragon Mart Hotel. The majority of his 15-year career has been spent across the emirates.
• Four Seasons Hotel Doha announces the appointment of Julia Selyukova as the new Hotel Manager. She brings with herself more than 20 years of experience and also previously held the position of Hotel Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Moscow.
• Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has appointed Juan Samsó as the managing director of Rosewood Doha. He will bring his expertise in hotel openings and management to his new role.
• Cyril Mouawad has joined Marriott Marquis City Center Doha and Marriott Executive Apartments City Center Doha as multi-property General Manager. He will manage the operations of 800 rooms, 12 F&B outlets, conference, and banqueting facilities.
• Meliá Hotels has appointed Pavlina Tarabova Alghamdi as General Manager of Meliá Desert Palm in Dubai. As a seasoned hotelier with a strong UAE and Middle East background, she has worked with well-known brands such as Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Marquis.
• Yazan Latif has been appointed as General Manager at Kempinski The Pearl in Doha. He has over 22 years of experience in luxury hotel chains.
• Krystel Irani joined Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre as Hotel Manager. She began her career with Four Seasons back in 2003, working as a management trainee within the famous Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris.
• Anthony Najm has been appointed as Food & Beverage Manager at Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah. He achieved a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management at the American University of Technology.
• Jihane Rahmani has been appointed as Marketing & PR Communications Manager at Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai. She is fluent in three languages and holds a Masters in Marketing and Commercial Communications from Morocco.
• The Ritz-Carlton, Amman is excited to welcome Maurice Zahr as the new General Manager of Roberto's Amman. He has a decade-long background in the hospitality and restaurant-related industries.
• Tariq Yousef Dowidar has been appointed as Vice President at Aleph Hospitality, Saudi Arabia. The company intends to add further resources to the Saudi team over the course of the year.
• Omar Elezab has been promoted to Food & Beverage Manager at SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences. With over 12 years of experience in the luxury F&B industry in Spain, Italy and Dubai, he has significantly contributed to SLS Dubai's growth.
• Yvette Carreon has been promoted to Food & Beverage Operations Manager at SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences. She is set to bring her dynamic leadership and strategic approaches to SLS Dubai's F&B operations.
• Arlette Richter-Picardo has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. With more than 20 years of experience in hospitality and sales, she brings a deep understanding of the UAE knowledge to the role.
• Georges Farhat has been promoted to Cluster General Manager at Avani Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites and La Suite Dubai Hotel & Apartments. He is well-equipped to continue driving record performance in his new role.

­­Africa

• Marisa Fernandes has been named General Manager at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Tanzania. Her leadership over the past year has seen the Lodge thrive on delivering the exceptional guest and employee experiences for which it is renowned.
• RoomRaccoon, a leading hotel management software company, has announced Kristine Kruger as Customer Training Specialist. She brings more than 14 years of experience across customer success and training roles in the hospitality industry.