The Boutique Search Firm
Heads Above the Rest - December 2023

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

Market update​​​

• In November, employment in leisure and hospitality continued to trend up (+40,000), almost entirely in food services and drinking places.
• Leisure and hospitality had added an average of 51,000 jobs per month over the prior months. 
• The Boutique Search Firm awarded as one of the top Executive Search Firms in 2023 by Forbes coming in as #38 overall!
  • America's Best Executive Recruiting Firms 2023 (forbes.com)

 
Recent Appointments
 
­­North America​​

• Will Brandon has been appointed as Area Director of Sales and Marketing at Alila Ventana Big Sur. He is dedicated to cultivating a culture of well-being, diversity, equity, and inclusion to his team.
•  Kevin Miller has been appointed as General Manager at The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. In his new role, he will oversee the 300-room historic hotel located near the University of Nebraska campus, Nebraska State Capitol, and Historic Haymarket District.
•  Corey Hayes has been appointed as General Manager at Hilton Aventura Miami. In this significant role, he will spearhead the entire property, overseeing all departments and ensuring the hotel's commitment to excellence in guest experiences.
•  Christopher D. Saputo has been appointed as Managing Director at Hotel AKA Alexandria. With over 21 years of experience in luxury hospitality, he brings an exceptional vision and expertise to his new role.
• Antonio Morales has been appointed as General Manager at The Steward, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott in Santa Barbara. He will provide strategic business development to position the recently opened Southern California property.
• Rafael Torres has been appointed as General Manager at ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. He has also held leadership roles with various hotel brands such as Armani Hotels & Resorts, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and St. Regis Hotels & Resorts.
• Jamie Choi named as Director of Sales & Marketing at ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. Prior, she served as Director of Sales and Marketing at The Laylow, Autograph Collection on Oahu.
• Kristina D’Amico has been promoted to Managing Director, Leader – Caribbean Region at HVS Consulting & Valuation. She specializes in luxury, complex, all-inclusive, and mixed-use developments throughout the Caribbean region.
• Patrick Huey named as Director of Global Wellbeing Operations at Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Most recently, he served as the general manager at We Care Spa in California, a prestigious 28-suite wellness resort and spa.
• Jacob Kucinski has been appointed as General Manager at AC Hotel by Marriott Naples 5th Avenue. He previously served as general manager of AC Hotel Spartanburg in Upstate South Carolina.
• Kimberly Hilty has been appointed as Director of Sales at AC Hotel by Marriott Naples 5th Avenue. A graduate of Penn State University, she began her career at a convention hotel in downtown Philadelphia.
• Douglas Gaquer has been appointed as Food & Beverage Director at AC Hotel by Marriott Naples 5th Avenue. He has worked in boutique hotels, an ideal combination of experience for his current moment.
• Jairah Ramirez has been appointed as Opening Director of Sales at Moxy Phoenix Downtown. The Moxy Phoenix Downtown is situated in the Luhrs Building, built in 1924.
• Thomas Lents has been appointed as Culinary Director at Alila Napa Valley in St. Helena. In this role, he will oversee all food and beverage outlets at Alila Napa Valley, providing strategic direction to the property's culinary team.
• Sunil Narang named as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Nashville. He has been with Four Seasons for more than 27 years, leading properties for the renowned hotel brand across the world.
• Justin Robbins has been appointed as General Manager at Goldener Hirsch, Auberge Resorts Collection in Park City. He began his professional career as concierge manager at the Venetian and Palazzo Resort in Las Vegas.
• Milan Drager has been appointed as General Manager at Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa. His career highlights include international management positions with the Shangri-La group at properties throughout Australia, Tokyo, Myanmar and Vancouver.
• Frank Rodgers has been appointed as Global Sales Director at KSL Resorts. He is an experienced sales executive and will be a brand ambassador for the leisure market, playing a pivotal role in the company's overall sales strategy.
• Jason Waterlow has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Turtle Bay Resort in Kahuku. In his new role, he will help strengthen the many food & beverage channels across the property.
• Chef Kwan has been appointed as Executive Chef at Alila Ventana Big Sur. He brings a globally-minded perspective to his kitchen to further elevate the Alila Ventana Big Sur guest experience through an innovative culinary approach.
• Wendy Worley has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at The ART Hotel Denver, Curio Collection by Hilton. She brings a palette of more than two decades of experience in the hospitality industry to the 165-room refreshed hotel.
• Rosie Karakan has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. She has a robust history in the hospitality industry, bringing over 20 years of experience to the Forbes Five-Star resort.
• Jim Hindman has been appointed as Director of Restaurant, Bars, and Events at The Kimpton Sawyer in Sacramento. He spent 15 years overseeing food and beverage programs at resorts and casinos across the country.
• Megan Kohl has been appointed as Restaurant General Manager at Revival at the Sawyer in Sacramento. For the past five years, She served as general manager of the local Sacramento favorite, Ink Eats & Drinks.
• Gerard Spezio has been appointed as Executive Chef at Park Hyatt New York. He has plans in place to introduce new seasonal menus, in preparation for the upcoming holiday season in New York City.
• Mouhssine Benhamacht has been appointed as Executive Chef at Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center. He moved to New York City to embark on his culinary journey where he gained valuable training and insight that helped mold his culinary perspective.
• Robert Carr has been appointed as Executive Chef at Live! By Loews – Arlington. He brings more than 25 years of five-star international luxury hotel culinary experience to Live! by Loews - Arlington.
• Gerald Glennon has been appointed as General Manager at ESPACIO, The Jewel of Waikiki in Honolulu. Most recently, he served as Strategic Advisor at The Kahala Resort, responsible for management and strategic planning.
• Jessica Janis named as Honorary Trustee at AHLA Foundation. She looks forward to working with fellow Trustees to enhance educational opportunities, support research, and promote diversity, ensuring a vibrant and inclusive hospitality industry.
• Wes Zane has been appointed as Food & Beverage Manager at ESPACIO, The Jewel of Waikiki in Honolulu. Prior, he spent eight years as Owner and Operator of Formaggio Wine Bar and Formaggio Grill.
• Ricardo Losada Revol joined the Choice Hotels International, Inc. as Senior Vice President and General Manager, International. He joins Choice as the company continues to expand its global footprint.
• Ishma Haider has been appointed as Vice President, Group Travel at U.S. Travel Association (USTA). Prior to Visit Orlando, she served on the national meetings and events team at Caesars Entertainment.
• David Bodette has been appointed as Managing Director at The Preserve Sporting Club & Residences in Richmond. The Preserve is proud to welcome him as he steps into this prominent position at New England's premier sporting club and esteemed sanctuary.
• Cesar Oceguera has been appointed as Executive Sous Chef at Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. He draws his imaginative and diverse experience in fusing the spectacular and vibrant flavors of traditional Latin American cuisine.
• Jennifer Trapani has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village. She will oversee all sales and marketing initiatives for the waterfront resort.
• Jesse Olsen has been appointed as Executive Chef at Lotte Hotel Seattle. A Washington state native, he studied at Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon.
• Antonio Giovanni Artale has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Lotte Hotel Seattle. In addition to managing hotel fine dining in the United States, he has experience leading fast-paced restaurants and popular bars in Sicily.
• Kelly Kitashima has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Laylow, Autograph Collection in Honolulu. She brings a fresh perspective to The Laylow, an urban oasis perched above the hustle and bustle of Waikiki on Oahu.
• Andrew Caine has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara. As the longest standing luxury resort in the community, San Ysidro Ranch has served as an icon of the region for over a century.
• Laura Vera has been appointed as Group Sales Manager – Large Group Markets at Kimpton Pittman Hotel in Dallas. She joins the team from the Thompson San Antonio Riverwalk where she served as the only sales manager for the hotel.
• Tomo Hikichi has been appointed as Resort Manager at OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort in Honolulu. He was most recently director of operations at Waiea, an ultra-luxury condo in Kaka'ako, and at Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani.
• Jasmin Tanguay has been appointed as Director of Research at Institut de tourisme et d'hôtellerie du Québec. He has been part of the prestigious hospitality school for 26 years.
• Thomas Schulz has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at SHR Group. He stated, “I am thrilled to be a part of SHR and look forward to contributing to the company's continued success.”
• Heinrich Kessler has been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer at SHR Group. With over 25 years of experience, he has worked with prominent brands such as D-Edge, Pegasus, and Trust International.
• Sanjay Mahajan has been appointed as General Manager at Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle North in Lynnwood. He will lead all facets of operations, including marketing, hotel oversight, and guest services and satisfaction.
• Anne Marie Doyle has been appointed as General Manager at Pendry West Hollywood. She will now oversee all operations of Pendry West Hollywood.
• Jason de Vries has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero. He brings 15-years of hospitality management at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts with a unique blend of urban hotel and luxury resort experiences.
• Peter Wu has been appointed as President of Hospitality Operations at Kessler Collection. He brings the expertise and passion that has established him as an industry thought leader.
• Houssem Tasco has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Regent Santa Monica Beach. With over 25 years of experience in renowned organizations, he has a proven track record of excellence in the hospitality industry.
• Jon Park has been appointed as Senior Sous Chef at Lotte Hotel Seattle. He began his career at Chiso Sushi and graduated from Seattle University with a bachelor's degree in Psychology.
• Denise Luna has been appointed as General Manager at Virgin Hotels New York City. In her new role, she will oversee the operations of the 460-room hotel located in the heart of Manhattan's NoMad neighborhood.
• David Joo has been appointed as Executive Chef at Thompson Central Park New York. His dedication to uncompromising quality and artful attention to detail have positioned him as a tastemaker in the realm of luxury hotel dining.
• Marta Hagan has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at Viceroy Santa Monica and Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica. She is responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of all marketing and sales activities.
• Troy Talpas has been appointed as Director of Food and Beverage at The Perry Hotel & Marina. She brings 25+ years of experience in both hotel and food & beverage operations to The Perry.
• Arash Azarbarzin named as Board Trustee at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in New York. He is a CIA graduate with over 40 years of hospitality experience.
• Hansen Lee has been appointed as Executive Chef at Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito. He brings more than 20 years of fine dining expertise at renowned luxury properties.
• Marie DeLibero has been appointed as General Manager at The Rally Hotel in Denver. He is equipped with nearly a decade of hospitality experience within the destination and will oversee all aspects of operations in her new role.
• Fantasy Greene has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago. She will oversee all sales and marketing initiatives for The Gwen, one of Chicago's premiere luxury hotels.
• Laura Morgan has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at 106 Jefferson, a Curio Collection hotel by Hilton in Huntsville. She brings over 25 years of hospitality experience to the property.

Europe​

• Patrice Boman has been appointed as Cluster General Manager at Residence Inn & Fairfield by Marriott Copenhagen Nordhavn. He brings 15 years of experience from Marriott, Hilton, IHG and Radisson.
• Andrew Rubinacci has been appointed as Chief Advisory Officer, Hospitality at FLYR (formerly Pace Revenue). He is one of the foremost revenue management and global distribution experts in the hospitality industry.
• Michael Bonsor named as Managing Director at The Chancery Rosewood in London. He started his career at an early age working alongside his parents at their hotels in Scotland before venturing to the United States to work with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts.
• Greg O’Hara named as Incoming Chair at World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Prior to forming Certares, he served as Chief Investment Officer of JPMorgan Chase's Special Investments Group.
• Pauline Oster has been appointed as Vice President Tribe Europe & North Africa at Accor. In 2008, she joined Accor as the Head of Marketing, Pricing, and Distribution for the ibis Styles brand in France.
• Claudia Hall has been appointed as Event Director at IBTM World in London. She brings a wealth of knowledge, creativity and dynamism to the position.
• Gloria Fluxà named as Vice-Chair and Sustainability Committee Chair at World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). She takes over the role from Intrepid Group Co-founder and Chairman, Darrell Wade, who took the reins in 2020.
• Lionel Anidjar joined Global Asset Solutions as Hotels Project Director. He began his journey in hotel operations, where he honed his skills before transitioning into project coordination overseeing successful renovations and openings.
• David Boveda joined Global Asset Solutions as Hotel Asset Manager. He began his career at Carris Hoteles in Galicia, before joining IHG as income auditor, where he spent more than four years and revamped the whole income audit process.
• William Harley-Fleming has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Operations for Middle East & Africa at Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR). He brings more than 27 years of experience to his new role.
• Oliver Milne-Watson has been appointed as General Manager at The Newman in London. The contemporary hotel with 81 rooms and suites, European brasserie, cocktail bar, and wellness floor, is set to be an instant new destination for the neighborhood.
• Cris Tarrant has been appointed as Communications and PR Committee Co-Chair at Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance has a purpose to accelerate the path to net positive hospitality.
• Gaudéric Harang has been appointed as General Manager at Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel. He first joined Anantara in 2016 as Resident Manager for Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu Private Island in Maldives.
• Wael Soueid has been appointed as General Manager at Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort in Faro. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from International Tourism Institute of Toulouse France, and is passionate about polo, endurance horse riding, and languages.
• Dominique Florian has been appointed as Head of Construction at Generator. He assumes direct responsibility for managing all aspects of design and construction whilst providing support to the senior development team.
• Tolga Lacin has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Türkiye at Ennismore. He will oversee operations for Ennismore's lifestyle collective hotels in the region, with 14 properties in the network and pipeline.
• Olga Schuster has been appointed as Cluster Director of Sales and Marketing at Rosewood Vienna and Schloss Fuschl. In her new role, she will establish and direct the marketing and sales activities of Rosewood Vienna.
• Gilda Perez-Alvarado has been appointed as Chief Strategy Officer Accor & CEO Orient Express at Accor. She has accrued nearly two decades of experience providing top-tier strategic advice to the industry's largest owners and investors.
• Maxime d'Angeac has been appointed as Artistic Director Orient Express at Accor. He went through professional education, during which he was a roadie then stage manager on French gigs.
• Omer Acar has been appointed as CEO Raffles & Fairmont at Accor. He is an eminent specialist in luxury hospitality.

Asia

• Samit Kazi has been appointed as Area Head of Sales – West at ITC Hotels. He will leverage his experience of over 2 decades, to collaborate with the hotels sales and ITC Hotels Head Quarter team.
• Sandeep Sinha has been appointed as Hotel Manager at The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences in Haryana. He carries over two decades of work experience in the luxury hotel industry, having overseen some of the most prestigious hotels.
• Jonathan Kao named as Managing Director for North Asia at BCD Travel in Shanghai. He brings to his new role a deep understanding of the Asia-Pacific region's intricate technical, operational, and cultural nuances.
• Christian Wiendieck has been appointed as General Manager at Kempinski Hotel Beijing Yansha Center. He has over 30 years of experience in luxury hospitality industry.
• Arshed Refai has been appointed as General Manager at Sun Siyam Pasikudah. He collaborates closely with the CEO and the Group General Manager at Sun Siyam Resorts.
• Dulanka De Mel has been appointed as Sales and Marketing Manager at Sun Siyam Pasikudah. He comes with over 13 years of progressive experience in the country's hospitality sector.
• Dhiraj Amin has been appointed as Director of Sales at Sofitel Mumbai BKC. He also held positions at Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport and Waterstones Hotel & Resort Mumbai.
• David Cumming has been appointed as Regional GM for Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar at The Ascott Limited in Bangkok. He joins Ascott with over two decades of global hospitality industry experience.
• Kanit Sangmookda has been appointed as Country GM for Thailand and Laos at The Ascott Limited. He holds a Master's Degree in International Business Management majoring in Management and Economics from Wollongong University in Australia.
• Chen Thipvarodom has been appointed as General Manager at Centara Ayutthaya. Hen brings over 15 years of valuable hospitality expertise to this new role with a career in the hotel industry driven by a profound passion for connecting with people from various corners of the world.
• Patrick Lau has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Cordis, Hong Kong. He has witnessed the dynamic changes in global hotel services, and his management philosophy has always been rooted in the power of teamwork.
• Yousef Almaryan has been appointed as Director of Sales Middle East at Patina Maldives, Fari Islands. Originally from Jordan, he lives in Dubai and will continue to be based in UAE.
• Thet Htet Thein has been appointed as Director of Revenue Strategy at Patina Maldives, Fari Islands. A strong and accomplished operations professional, she is responsible for customer relations segmentation and revenue strategy.
• Afrah Abdulla has been appointed as Assistant Director of Sales and Marketing at Patina Maldives, Fari Islands. He is a Maldives native whose hospitality and sales career has spanned his home country.
• Helen Malmgren has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at Patina Maldives, Fari Islands. Her career in luxury hospitality spans over three decades, encompassing iconic brands in Asia such as The Peninsula Hotels, Regent Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria, and St. Regis.
• Aaron McGrath has been appointed as Regional General Manager at Six Senses Fort Barwara. He brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and a dynamic leadership approach to lead our team into an exciting new era.
• Charles Degrendele has been appointed as Chef de Cuisine at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. He brings a fresh perspective to modern French cuisine with a culinary background that spans diverse cultures and influences.
• Rajesh Chakraborty has been appointed as General Manager at Taj Agra. He has held pivotal positions in various hotels in India and internationally, showcasing his ability to excel in competitive markets.
• Rupert Hallam has been appointed as General Manager at Hilton Singapore Orchard. He brings over three decades of hospitality experience.
• Jamie Tan has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay in Singapore. She effectively managed diverse departments, setting the stage for her current role.
• Phil Smith has been appointed as General Manager at Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay in Singapore. He brings with him an illustrious career spanning over 38 years.
• Jitendra Taak has been appointed as General Manager at ITC Kohenur, A Luxury Collection Hotel. in Hyderabad. His journey with ITC Hotels began in 2001 as a part of the Welcomlegionnaire Program.
• Ankur Bhatnagar has been appointed as Revenue Manager at Hyatt Regency, Chennai. He is an accomplished professional with more than 10 years of experience in revenue management and competitor analysis.
• Sharath Rajan has been appointed as Director of Rooms at Hyatt Regency Chennai. As the Director of Rooms, he will lead the hotel's Rooms Division team, overseeing daily activities.
• L.Jabez Abi Madupaul has been appointed as Director of Events at Hyatt Regency Chennai. He is a performance-driven professional with over two decades of rich & extensive experience in Strategic Business Development & Management.
• Sandie Johannessen has been appointed as Group Director of Spa and Wellness – Asia at Minor Hotels. In this role, she will oversee Minor Hotels' spa and wellness operations, development, and brand standards across all hotel brands in Asia.
• Craig Bond has been appointed as Senior Vice President Head of Operations at Pan Pacific Hotels Group. In his new role, he will focus on driving operational excellence across by establishing strategic routes to meet commercial and organizational objectives.
• Priya Sharma has been appointed as Sales & Marketing Manager at Castaway Island in Qalito Island. She will develop and implement sales & marketing strategies to maximize revenue and occupancy.
• TJ Joulak has been appointed as General Manager at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi in Ithaafushi Island. He has strong operational and strategy skills, and is well versed at providing memorable experiences for guests.
• Michael Henssler has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Centara Hotels & Resorts. He has enjoyed a stellar career to date, largely with Kempinski, the leading European luxury hotel group.
• Kung Teong Wah has been appointed as General Manager at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering. He has played pivotal roles in shaping the hospitality landscape in Asia and Singapore.
• Harmesh Singh has been appointed as General Manager at Silka Maytower and Cosmo Hotel Kuala Lumpur. He brings with him a wealth of experience having worked in the industry for more than 20 years with a notable focus on Sales and Marketing as well as operations.

­­
South America​

• Alex Andrade has been appointed as Managing Director at Viceroy Los Cabos in San José del Cabo. He will oversee all day-to-day resort operations and initiatives to further elevate the guest experience. 
• Ximena Dipp has been appointed as General Manager at Banyan Tree Veya, Valle de Guadalupe in Ensenada. She brings a wealth of expertise, interpersonal skills and global perspective to her new role.
• Ana Flores has been appointed as Wellness & Spa Manager at Rosewood São Paulo. She has opened, restructured, and enhanced numerous hotel spas in South America, Europe, and Mexico.
• Romain Avril has been appointed as Executive Assistant Manager at Rosewood São Paulo. After spending two years in Rio de Janeiro, his expertise took him to various top culinary destinations.
• Tomas Ford has been appointed as General Manager at Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida. In 2000, he began his career with Marriott at the Marriott Plaza Hotel in Buenos Aires.

­­Carribean​​

• Gaman Guadagni has been appointed as Resort Manager at Four Seasons Resort Nevis. He will also be responsible for championing employee and guest engagement and ensuring the team in Nevis is executing brand standards.
• Julia Jakkaraju has been appointed as Director of Sales at Bespoke Villas by Hartling Group. She brings a wealth of experience and deep passion for this niche sector.
• Charles Anthony Johnson has been appointed as General Manager at Sea Breeze Beach House. In his role, he will lead his teams in creating and delivering in all aspects of hospitality.

Middle East​

• Alex Andrade has been appointed as Managing Director at Viceroy Los Cabos in San José del Cabo. He will oversee all day-to-day resort operations and initiatives to further elevate the guest experience.
• Ximena Dipp has been appointed as General Manager at Banyan Tree Veya, Valle de Guadalupe in Ensenada. She brings a wealth of expertise, interpersonal skills and global perspective to her new role.
• Ana Flores has been appointed as Wellness & Spa Manager at Rosewood São Paulo. She has opened, restructured, and enhanced numerous hotel spas in South America, Europe, and Mexico.
• Romain Avril has been appointed as Executive Assistant Manager at Rosewood São Paulo. After spending two years in Rio de Janeiro, his expertise took him to various top culinary destinations.
• Tomas Ford has been appointed as General Manager at Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida. In 2000, he began his career with Marriott at the Marriott Plaza Hotel in Buenos Aires.

Africa​