The Boutique Search Firm
  • Home
  • About
  • Lessons
    • Selling the Offer
    • Attracting Talent
  • Reports
    • Apr 2025
    • Mar 2025
    • Feb 2025
    • Jan 2025
    • Dec 2024
    • Nov 2024
    • Oct 2024
    • Sep 2024
    • Aug 2024
    • Jul 2024
    • Jun 2024
    • May 2024
    • Apr 2024
    • Mar 2024
    • Feb 2024
    • Jan 2024
  • Contact

    

The Boutique Search Firm
Heads Above the Rest - June 2023


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

Market update​​​
  • Employment in leisure and hospitality continued to trend up in May (+48,000), largely in food services and drinking places (+33,000).
  • Leisure and hospitality had added an average of 77,000 jobs per month over the prior 12 months.
  • Employment in this industry remains below its February 2020 level by 349,000, or 2.1 percent.
  • 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​
  • Heather Sanborn has been promoted to Corporate Director of Revenue Management at Meyer Jabara Hotels. She served as senior regional revenue manager for Chartwell Hospitality, a post she held for more than a decade.
  • Graduate Hotels announced the appointment of Michaella Solar-March as Chief Marketing Officer. Based in the brand's Nashville headquarters, she will drive global marketing strategy for Graduate Hotels' more than 33 hotels across the U.S. and U.K.
  • Hotel Crescent Court proudly announces the appointment of Tony Johnson as Executive chef of The Crescent Club. He will oversee all culinary operations at the hotel's highly acclaimed restaurant.
  • The Lake House on Canandaigua has welcomed seasoned luxury hospitality leader Chris Jennings as its new General Manager. He has gained extensive experience managing guest services and operations at high-end hotels and resorts across the U.S.
  • Marriott Marquis Houston announced Juan Calderon as the new Hotel Manager. In his role, he will serve as the strategic business leader of property operations at the 1,000-room urban resort.
  • Holston House  announced the appointment of John Schneekloth as its Director of Food & Beverage. The 30-year industry veteran joins the Holston House team with a focus on elevating property-wide food and beverage aspects.
  • TownePlace Suites Nashville Downtown/Capitol District is thrilled to announce that Hanif Mohammad is now serving as Executive Chef, overseeing all food & beverage operations at the hotel. He has spent the last 23+ years at the Nashville Airport Marriott.
  • Bill Jordan has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing for The Kimpton Pittman Hotel Dallas. In his new role, he oversees all strategic sales and marketing initiatives for the historic property.
  • Kat Fonda has been named as AHLA’s Director of Federal Affairs. In this new role, she will be responsible for policy development and advocacy before Congress and other federal government agencies.
  •  Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland is excited to announce the appointment of Casey O’Donnell as Director of Sales & Marketing. She brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience to his role as Director of Sales & Marketing.
  • Alila Napa Valley is pleased to announce the appointment of Heidi Miersemann as General Manager. She joins Alila Napa Valley with 25 years of experience in the travel and hospitality industry.
  • Virgin Hotels New York City is pleased to announce Aisling Kennedy as Director of Finance. She will oversee financial strategy for the new 460-room hotel in Manhattan's NoMad neighborhood. 
  • Cambria Hotel Washington, D.C is pleased to announce Angela Bethea as Executive Chef. In her new role, she will oversee, implement and regularly update the food & beverage program. 
  • Peachtree Hospitality Management ("PHM") announced the appointment of Kathleen "Kat" James as Vice President of Sales. She will be responsible for managing and overseeing the sales strategies that support the overall profitability and growth of PHM's portfolio of hotels.
  • The Morrow Hotel introduces Tauseen Malik as General Manager. In this role, he will continue to define the identity of The Morrow, a hotel located in the heart of Washington D.C.'s burgeoning NoMa's neighborhood.
  • The Broadmoor announced the promotion of David Patterson to Vice President of Food and Beverage. In this leadership role, he will oversee all food and beverage operations while maintaining the resort's high culinary standards.
  • Hyatt Regency Princeton announced the appointment of Christopher Tavares as Executive Chef. In his new role, he is responsible for the hotel's upscale Italian restaurant and an expansive catering operation.
  • Hotel Citrine and AC Palo Alto are pleased to announce Alyssa Robin as the new Campus General Manager for the dual-branded property in the heart of Palo Alto. In addition to overseeing the operations of both hotels, she will be responsible for leading the team.
  • 33 Seaport Hotel announces the appointment of Gary DeSoiza as General Manager. With over 20 years of hospitality experience, he will oversee all aspects of the 66-room property including daily operations.
  • W Miami announces the appointment of Gonzalo Maggi Bescos as the new General Manager of the hotel. He brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the position, having worked in the luxury hospitality industry for over 20 years in leadership roles.
  • JW Marriott Tampa Water Street announces the appointment of Nick Davies as Director of Food and Beverage. With more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he has spent several years with the Marriott brand.
  • Shane Mott joined Tampa Marriott Water Street as Director of Restaurants. Prior to joining the Tampa market, she was an instrumental leader for the food and beverage team at Le Royal Meridien in Abu Dhabi.
  • Sheen Mahmud has been appointed as Spa Director at JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. She previously held multiple positions at other Marriott properties in West Palm Beach and Pompano Beach.
  • Hyatt Regency Princeton announced the appointment of Christopher Tavares of Levittown, PA as Executive Chef.  In his new role, he is responsible for the hotel’s upscale Italian restaurant and an expansive catering operation.
  • Christophe Rull has been appointed as Executive Pastry Chef at Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles. In this role, he   is responsible for overseeing the pastry offerings at the iconic hotel, including in the Restaurant at Hotel Bel-Air.
  • U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) has been named co-chair of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus. He joins Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who also serves as caucus co-chair.
  • Omer Acar joined American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) as Executive Committee Member. He is an accomplished leader and one of the world's foremost experts in luxury hospitality.
  • Patrick Perry has been appointed as General Manager at Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Rapids Airport. He brings with him over 30 years of management and operations experience.
  • Kelley Schmidt has been appointed as Executive Chef at Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis. He has a 17-year pedigree with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
  • The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood announces the appointment of Olivier Rousselle as Executive Chef of the SoCal-centric and I|O Rooftop. With nearly three decades of experience he now brings his local and international culinary expertise to the lifestyle hotel.
  • Amanda Rodriguez has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel in Miami Beach. In her new role, she will oversee Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel's sales and marketing team to develop strategies that will continue to propel the hotel.
  • Ahmed Yacout has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston. He brings the wealth of 16 years of hospitality management experience.
  • Karleen Johnson has been appointed as Director of Sales at TradeWinds Island Resorts. She is now a member of the executive team and is responsible for leading the group sales team for both TradeWinds Island Resorts.
  • EOS Hospitality is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicholas Farina as Vice President of Operations. In his new role, he will focus on operational strategy and support for the over 40 hotels in the EOS Hospitality portfolio.
  • Viceroy Hotels & Resorts is excited to announce the promotion of Verlord Laguatan as Viceroy Chicago’s new Executive Chef. In his role as Executive Chef, he oversees all culinary operations at the hotel, from the acclaimed Somerset restaurant to the Devereaux rooftop lounge.
  • Yoav Gery has been appointed as Chief Development Officer at Viceroy Hotels & Resorts in Los Angeles.  He has strategically burgeoned from its debut Santa Monica location into a portfolio of iconic hotels and resorts in global destinations.
  • The iconic Ocean House has named Terence Feury as Executive Chef of the award-winning property. In his new role, he will oversee the entire culinary operation of the Forbes Triple Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond Ocean House.
  • Brett Russell joined LW Hospitality Advisors LLC (LWHA) as Managing Director. He has more than twenty-five years of domestic and international experience providing an array of hospitality operation.
  • Pam Colpoys has been appointed as Vice President of Risk Management at Remington Hotels. She will be responsible for managing claims and litigation to assess, identify, and mitigate risks that could impede the safety, security, reputation, or financial success of the company.
  • Mike Kass has been appointed as Area Managing Director at Highgate Hotels, Hawai’i region. He most recently served as General Manager for The Westin Maui Resort & Spa.
  • Michelle Geiger named as Area General Manager at Hyatt Centric and Caption by Hyatt Beale Street Memphis. She has more than 25 years of experience working with the esteemed Hyatt Hotels brand.
  • Drew Mills has been appointed as Executive Chef at The Westin New Orleans. He assumes his role overseeing the hotel's food and beverage program, which include two dining concepts, catering and banquet services.
  • Maureen Vipperman has been appointed as Director of Spa & Wellness at The Rittenhouse in Philadelphia. She brings more than two decades of expertise to her role with emphasis on programming development and maintaining the standard of luxury and excellence.
  • Matthew Kraeling named as Assistant General Manager at Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall Boston. With more than 15 years of experience in hospitality, he has touched nearly all facets of the industry and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role.
  • Sven-Erik Richter has been appointed as General Manager at Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile. He brings his expertise to Sofitel Chicago with the goal to provide consistently exceptional service to the hotel's guests through its welcoming, attentive team.
  • Dean Lane named as General Manager at The Diplomat Beach Resort, a Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel in Hollywood. He will lead the team in all aspects of Resort operations, from team leadership to experiential development, guest services and satisfaction.
  • Patrick Dahms has been appointed as Area Culinary Director at The Davenport Hotel Collection in Spokane.  In this new role, he oversees the guest dining experience, recipe innovation and culinary operations.
  • Jerry Perez has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs.  In his role, he is responsible for driving the overall success and bottom-line results for the food & beverage operations.
  • Aashna Grewal has been appointed as Director of Sales at AC Hotel® San Rafael. She spent more than five years working a number of sales roles for Marriott destinations in India before moving to the Bay Area in 2016.
  • Jesus Avila has been appointed as Director of Engineering and Style at AC Hotel® San Rafael. He gained experience in not only opening new locations but also managing all aspects of operations and finances for existing restaurants.
  • The Cotton Court Hotel is excited to announce the appointment of Kate Diehl as Executive Chef. She will reimagine The Midnight Shift’s current offerings, introducing rotating seasonal menus that embrace the diverse flavors of Texas. 
  • The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) announced that Steven Nicholas, has been appointed to the Board of Directors. The AHLA Board of Directors represents leaders from all sectors of the lodging industry.
  • ADERO Scottsdale Resort welcomes Chris Kight as Executive Chef. With his arrival comes renewed menus showcasing his culinary vision for ADERO’s signature restaurants SkyTop and CIELO.
  • Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown proudly announces Josh Weast as its Director of Food & Beverage. He brings over 20 years of hospitality experience to his new role and will oversee all of the property’s food and beverage initiatives.
  • Mark Pope has been appointed as General Manager at AC Hotel® San Rafael. He has worked across multiple luxury, boutique and select service properties throughout Northern and Southern California.
  • Eron Hodges has been appointed as General Manager at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa. With more than 24 years of service in Hyatt, he brings a wealth of experience in a variety of branded hotels, including Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, and Andaz.
  • Brian Povinelli has been promoted as SVP & Global Head of Marketing and Brand at Marriott International, Inc. He will lead the company's overall marketing strategy as well as the end-to-end guest experience for the Marriott's 22 Premium, Select & Longer-stay brands.
  • Jolyon Bulley named as Americas CEO at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in Atlanta. He is currently IHG's CEO for the Greater China region, and also the group's transformation lead for luxury & lifestyle.
  • Barbara Beckwith has been appointed as General Manager at Mill Falls at the Lake in Meredith. She will utilize her extensive skills and knowledge as she oversees all operations at the resort.
  • Steven Nicholas joined American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) as Board Member. The AHLA Board of Directors represents leaders from all sectors of the lodging industry, including brands, owners and real estate investment trusts.
  • Rianon Cepriano has been appointed as Spa Director at Spa Evangeline at Epicurean Hotel, Autograph Collection in Tampa. She will oversee day-to-day operations of the spa, including the treatment menu and special promotions.
  • Zach Miller has been appointed as General Manager at the Americana Motor Hotel in Flagstaff. He is in charge of recruiting staff for the reinvented Route 66 motor hotel and will oversee daily operations.
  • Ragheb "Raj" Dajani has been appointed as Senior Vice President of Development at Hard Rock International, Inc. He will be responsible for leading the maintenance of new real estate development prospects.
  • Patricia Carre has been promoted to Hotel Manager at Fairmont Washington, D.C., Georgetown. Previously, she was director of operations for Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Alberta Canada from December of 2018.
  • Keith Oltchick has been promoted to Chief Development Officer at Remington Hotels. She will lead the execution of the overall business development vision, strategy, plans, and processes to increase revenue.
  • Yev Romanoff has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at M Social Hotel Times Square New York. He will direct and oversee all aspects of the hotel's food and beverage planning and service.
  • The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa announces the appointment of Joshua Garcia as Complex Director of Sales and Marketing. In his new role, he will develop and implement sales initiatives and marketing strategies.
  • Viceroy Hotels & Resorts is excited to announce the appointment of Erik Grazetti as Viceroy Chicago’s new Director of Sales & Marketing. He will oversee sales and marketing operations, upholding and furthering the property’s legacy as one of Chicago’s finest luxury hotels.
  • Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe announces Chef Andrew Fox as its new Executive Chef. He will oversee all culinary operations, including the resort’s signature restaurant, Terra.
  • Joe Browning has been appointed as General Manager at Embassy Suites by Hilton East Peoria Riverfront. He will be responsible for day-to-day leadership of the 226-key, all-suite hotel, which is directly linked to the largest conference center in East Peoria.
  • Peter Anderson named as Managing Director, Wellness Practice Leader at HVS in Los Angeles. He brings a unique blend of property development, feasibility analysis, and innovative wellness practices to this role. 
  • Shane Nicolopoulos has been appointed as General Manager at Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina in Cambridge. He began his Hyatt career as a corporate management trainee at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando.
  • Stephanie Peterson named as Head of Marketing & Communications at Aimbridge Hospitality. She brings more than 20 years of experience in consumer and corporate communications, marketing, and B2B strategies.
  • Supratik Roy Chaudhuri has been promoted to Market Director of Finance for Goa and Belagavi at Marriott Hotels Goa and Belagavi. He will report directly to Sanjay Malhotra, Senior Area Director of Finance - South Asia, and W Goa's General Manager Tanveer Kwatra.
  • Michael Murray has been appointed as General Manager at The Madison Hotel in Morris Township. He trained as a chef and has had leadership positions at the Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove in Miami, as well as the New York Hilton and the Washington Hilton.
  • Erik Grazetti has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Viceroy Chicago. He will oversee sales and marketing operations, upholding and furthering the property's legacy as one of Chicago's finest luxury hotels.
  • Joseph Cozza joined Cayuga Hospitality Consultants as Partner. He brings decades of experience in executive management roles with Marriott, Cipriani, and earlier career positions with other revered international hotel brands.
  • Melissa Ross Smith has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Peachtree Group. She will report to Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO, and will be a key executive team member.
  • Las Alcobas announces the appointment of Michaël Chiche as Managing Director. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the luxury property, including the intimate Aurora Spa and the hotel’s signature restaurant, Anatol. 
  • Casey Scalf has been promoted to Director at The Society in Seattle. In his new role, he will embrace a significant shift in responsibility, with a primary focus on strategic leadership.
  • Irby Morvant has been appointed as General Manager at Yatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in Cedar Creek. He will lead the hotel team and oversee all operations of the AAA Four Diamond resort.
  • Michael T. Helgeson has been as appointed Vice President of Capital Markets at Sandpiper Lodging Trust. He is responsible for the education, promotion, marketing, and sales of Sandpiper Lodging Trust to Registered Investment Advisor firms across the country.
  • Delano Fields has been appointed as Lead Sales Manager at Hotel Hermosa in Hermosa Beach. He has served in various positions at Embassy Suites LAX South, DoubleTree by Hilton El Segundo, Marriott Grand Vacations, Hilton Universal City, and more.
  • Grace Petralia has been appointed as Director of Sales at La Jolla Cove Hotel. She comes to the property from Appius Construction where she was Director of Sales.
  • Emanuel Trujillo has been appointed as Assistant General Manager at Seacliff Inn, Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Aptos. He has more than 15 years of experience working in the hospitality world. 
  • Albert Gutierrez has been appointed as General Manager at Residence Inn Anaheim Hills Yorba Linda. Prior to his role at Residence Inn Anaheim Hills Yorba Linda, he was the Front Office Manager at Long Beach Marriott.
  • Ki Min has been appointed as Hotel Manager at The Belamar Hotel Manhattan Beach, Tapestry Collection by Hilton. He has also held positions at Crowne Plaza Harbor Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, and more.
  • Stéphane Gras has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco. A graduate of the famous Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland, he is known for crafting unparalleled guest experiences all over the world.
  • Amy Gray named as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Central Station Memphis, Curio Collection by Hilton. She brings more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry to the 123-room boutique hotel.
  • Mike Uwe Dickersbach has been appointed as Chief Digital Officer at Highgate Hotels, L.P.  He will be focused on driving innovation through forward-looking, transformative technologies that will help Highgate and its partners meet short and long-term business objectives.
  • Jon Ramirez named as Executive Director of Food & Beverage at Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe in Houston. He joined the resort recently from Lupe Tortilla, where he served as managing partner.
  • Michael Dunbar appointed as General Manager of Fairlane Hotel. Fairlane Hotel is known for having the right balance of luxury and rebellious spirit.

Europe​
  • Barry Thomas named as Vice President Technology - Raffles & Orient Express at Accor in London. He is now responsible for defining and driving the tech strategy for Raffles and Orient Express hotels worldwide.
  • Tim Barbrook joined HVS Hodges Ward Elliott as Head of Debt Advisory. He joins HVS HWE from Crosslane Fund Managers where he was Head of Debt Finance focused on sourcing, executing and monitoring debt finance.
  • Mustafa Bulmus has been appointed as General Manager at The Bodrum EDITION. He is set to bring a wealth of experience as he returns to the Bodrum EDITION in his new role.
  • Elodie Lacroix has been appointed as General Manager at Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese. She is responsible for managing all aspects of the hotel's operations, including the property's 78 luxury rooms and suites.
  • Daniella Foster named Board Trustee at Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. She comes with a background working across private and public sectors, from Hilton and Mars to the White House in the United States.
  • Elie Maalouf has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer at IHG Hotels & Resorts. He has spent several decades in the global hospitality sector and has a breadth of experience spanning hotel development, branding, finance, real estate and operations management.
  • Laura Tarkka has been appointed as Country Head for Finland at Scandic Hotels in Helsinki. She worked for several years in the hospitality industry as CEO of Kämp Collection Hotels and held management positions within the Fazer Group.
  • Julien Munoz named as Director Marketing and Digital at Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM).  Based in Dubai since 2016, he led the sales and marketing strategy of the Dubai Parks & Resort amusement park.
  • Federico J. González has been appointed as Group CEO Louvre Hotel Group and Executive Vice Chairman at Radisson Hotel Group (RHG). He will lead Louvre Hotel Group's strategy and business and the executive team will report directly to him.
  • Julia Harnischfeger has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (Continental Europe) at Cycas Hospitality BV. She brings outstanding executive leadership and pan-European expertise in hospitality, serviced apartments and micro living.
  • Ben Thomas has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer (UK & Ireland) at Cycas Hospitality BV. He brings over twenty years of operational, commercial and project management experience across the UK, Europe and Asia.
  • Cristina Sancenon has been appointed as General Manager at Jumeirah Port Sóller Hotel & Spa in Mallorca. In her new role, she will oversee all aspects of the award-winning Mallorcan clifftop retreat, enhancing financial and operational performance.
  • Gianluca Priori named as General Manager at Carlton Tower Jumeirah and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London. His remit will also include the neighboring Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel, located near London's royal Hyde Park and Harrods department store.
  • Stefan Viard named as Regional General Manager at SO/ Europe. He brings his expertise and support to the different General Managers across the European properties: SO/ Berlin Das Stue, SO/ Vienna and SO/ Saint-Petersburg.
  • Denis Mancheron has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Adagio in Paris. He will aim to capitalize on the talents of the financial, administrative and legal organization built for the specific needs of the profitable development of the network.
  • Caroline Benard has been appointed as Senior Vice President Marketing & Communication Global Development at Accor, Premium, Midscale, & Economy Brands. She has risen through the ranks at Accor since joining the hospitality group straight out of university.
  • Michael Wierling has been appointed People & Culture Advisory Board Chair at HSMAI Region Europe. He will be responsible for ensuring the People & Culture Advisory Board delivers on key projects.
  • Joachim Jacob has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Megève Collection. He started his career in 2006 as a Stewarding Supervisor at Four Seasons George V, Paris.
  • Andrew O’ Brien has been appointed as Development Director at Point A Hotels. He brings over 30 years' property and construction experience to the role.
  • Barthélemy Bauters has been appointed as General Manager at Capelongue, a Beaumier hotel in Bonnieux. His extensive experience lends immense value to his role as a General Manager and underscores his strong, knowledgeable leadership.
  • Christopher Cowdray named as President at Dorchester Collection. His new role will ensure that the incisive vision, deeply embedded culture, robust financial performance and strategic growth.
  • Helen Smith has been promoted to Joint CEO at Dorchester Collection. She has been a pioneer in the luxury hotel industry having worked in key management positions for Sheraton, The Lanesborough, Four Seasons and Skibo Castle.
  • Eugenio Pirri has been promoted as Joint CEO at Dorchester Collection. He directs all aspects of hotel operations, culture, guest engagement and ESG.
  • Patrick O’Connell has been appointed as CEO, UK operations at B&B HOTELS in London. He brings over 30 years' experience in the hospitality industry, covering operations, major investment programs, hotel openings and acquisitions.

Asia
  • Michael Issenberg joined TFE Hotels as Board Member. He brings more than 42 years of international experience at executive management and Board level in the travel and hospitality industry.
  • Jaykrishnan Sudhakaran has been appointed as General Manager at Movenpick 15 Sukhumvit in Bangkok. With over 19 years of experience in the hospitality industry, He brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to his new role.
  • Arjun Deoskar has been appointed as Food & Beverage Manager at W Goa.  With over 15 years of experience in the Indian hospitality industry, he is poised to elevate W Goa's culinary offerings and enhance the guest experience.
  • Laurent Kleitman has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. He was most recently the President and Chief Executive of Parfums Christian Dior, the largest luxury fashion beauty business of LVMH.
  • Eric Kee has been appointed as General Manager at Mandarin Oriental, Sanya. He worked with several hotel groups in China, Malaysia, Macau and Japan.
  • Jan-Hendrik Meidinger has been appointed as General Manager at The Excelsior in Hong Kong. He joined the Hyatt Group as Assistant Front Office Manager at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong in 1999.
  • Anthony Costa has been appointed as General Manager at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. He was General Manager of The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong for five years before moving to the helm of Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo.
  • Paul Jones has been appointed as General Manager at Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo. With more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he embarked on his career with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in 2005.
  • Michael Ziemer has been appointed as General Manager at Mandarin Oriental, Taipei. With more than 30 years of hospitality experience, he joined Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in 2003.
  • Chaiphun Thongsuthum has been appointed as Area General Manager at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort in Pattaya. He was appointed as General Manager in various locations since 1998 until the present time.
  • Marc Bittner has been appointed as Director of Operations and General Manager at Fusion Original Saigon Centre in Ho Chi Minh City. He has over a decade of experience working in some of Asia's most luxurious hotels.
  • Jakub Sippl has been appointed as General Manager at Maia Resort Quy Nhon. He began his career in the restaurant industry nearly two decades ago on the island of Malta.
  • Juliana Liew has been appointed as General Manager at Fusion Suites Vung Tau. Originally from Malaysia, she has held key management positions in her home and Mauritius before relocating to Vietnam in 2017.
  • Juergen Kreipl has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta. His enthusiasm is already driving results, with exciting new programming in the pipeline.
  • Rodrigo Buanafina has been appointed as Resort Manager at Gili Lankanfushi. He will oversee day-to-day operations of the 45-villa resort, including this summer's Overwater Bar renovation plans.
  • Ajay Jawahar Sharma has been promoted as Executive Assistant Manager (Beverage & Food) at W Goa. He has been with W Goa for nearly 5 years, having previously carried the role of Director of Beverage & Food at W Goa.
  • Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa has announced the appointment of Pierre Tavernier as its new Executive Chef. A culinary expert with more than 18 years of experience, he will bring a wealth of skill and creativity to the resort.
  • Bob van den Oord has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer at Langham Hospitality Group. He has served as a senior business leader at Langham Hospitality Group for the last 20 years with a track record of leading various business units at regional and global level.
  • Jose Luis Duran Sanles has been appointed as General Manager at Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel. He has been based in Thailand for over a decade, holding management roles at luxury resorts in Khon Kaen, Koh Lanta and Phuket over the years.
  • Frederic Kolde has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel. He stepped into his first leadership role shortly after graduation as pre-opening Assistant Manager at the signature steakhouse at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.
  • Ryan Chen has been appointed as Vice President of Business Development at The Ascott Limited. He will take the lead in aspects of financial feasibility and deal support for new business strategies.
  • Dulaphan Amatyakul has been appointed as Vice President of Business Development at The Ascott Limited. He also held senior roles in asset management and hospitality firms such as MFC Asset Management PCL, Valor Hospitality Partners Asia and DTGO Corporation Limited. 
  • Dev Thakur has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar. He has consistently demonstrated exemplary leadership within the Food & Beverage division throughout his decade-long career.
  • Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa has announced the appointment of Ms. Heekyung Chung as its new Director of Sales & Marketing. Originally hailing from Korea, she is a sales, marketing and revenue management specialist with more than 20 years of experience.
  • Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences is proud to announce the appointment of Chef Gopi as its new Executive Chef. With over 20 years of experience in the culinary industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. 
  • Heekyung Chung has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa. She is a sales, marketing and revenue management specialist with more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry.
  • Ashish Sharma has been appointed as Food & Beverage Manager at Aloft New Delhi Aerocity. He brings with him a varied experience of over 18 years in the hospitality industry. 
  • Ika Pranoto has been promoted to Director of Food & Beverage and Catering Sales at Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta. With more than 18 years of experience in luxury hospitality, he brings to his new role a powerful combination of expertise and a passion for going the extra mile.
  • Shailesh Mordekar has been promoted to Director of Services at W Goa. In his new role, Shailesh will be responsible for overseeing all operational departments of the hotel, including guest services, housekeeping, engineering, and security.
  • Scott Schaefer has been appointed as General Manager at Holiday Inn Dandenong. He has spent the past 15 years working in management roles within IHG Hotels & Resorts' Australasian properties.
  • Sam Wolfgram has been appointed as Hotel Services Manager at Holiday Inn Dandenong. He brings with him more than 13 years of experience from within the IHG Hotels & Resorts group.
  • Scott Bissi has been appointed as Business Development Manager at Holiday Inn Dandenong. He has more than 25 years' experience in sales, a long-held interest in the hotel industry.
  • Amanda Hyndman has been promoted to Chief People Officer at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. She will be responsible for establishing, implementing and evaluating global human resources strategies to support the group's growth and employee career development.
  • Francesco Cefalú has been promoted to Chief Development Officer at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a degree in economics from Bocconi University in Milan.

­­South America​
  • Viviene Boverio joined Horwath HTL, Brazil as Acting Partner. She has more than 20 years of experience in hotels development for leading global brands.
  • Yannick Sorro has been appointed as General Manager at Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort in Cartagena de Indias. With more than 10 years of experience in the hotel and tourism sector including the past 4 years as general manager of Sofitel Mexico Reforma.
  • Bernard Prim has been appointed as Executive Chef at Viceroy Los Cabos. His steadfast dedication and passion for cooking have led to an esteemed reputation and career in the culinary and hospitality industry.
  • Lucy Ruiz has been appointed as General Manager at Pueblo Bonito Vantage San Miguel de Allende. Most recently, she was general manager of Grand Luxxe Nuevo Vallarta (part of Vidanta), a AAA 5-Diamond hotel. 
  • Hokuli’a, a spectacular private residential enclave on Hawai`i Island, has announced the appointment of George Gomes Jr. as the Club’s new Executive Chef. He will oversee the incredible culinary program at the Club and all its F&B operations.

Carribean​
  • Scott McArdle has been appointed as General Manager at Alaia Belize Autograph Collection in Ambergris.  In his new role, he will be responsible for daily operations at the hotel to assure optimum performance and guest satisfaction.
  • Andrew Jeffries has been appointed as Executive Head of Sales & Marketing at Jumby Bay Island, Antigua in St. John's. He commenced his hospitality career in Los Angeles in 2005 at The Kor Group.
  • Isabel Mercado has been appointed as Director of Finance at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. With more than a decade of experience in the hospitality industry and working with the Marriott brand, she will oversee the property's long-term financial health and growth.

­­Middle East​
  • Thomas Schoen has been appointed as President at Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras al Khaimah. In his new role, Schoen will oversee all operational aspects of the resort, the Company's debut in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region and its first beachfront destination.
  • Daniel Ebo has been appointed as Commercial Director at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort in Ras al Khaimah. To his new role, he brings a mix of sales and marketing acumen. 
  • Yasmine Huneidi has been appointed as Director of Rooms at Sofitel Dubai The Palm. She adds over a decade of experience to the flagship resort.
  • Khaled Al Jamal has been appointed as General Manager at JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh. He will bring his wealth of experience in the industry having worked within the sector for over 35 years.
  • Marc Matar has been appointed as Multi-Property GM at St Regis Hotels in Doha. In his new role, He will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of these two prestigious properties.
  • Marilu Olvera has been appointed as Resort Manager at Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in Abu Dhabi. She brings more than 20 years of global luxury hospitality experience.
  • Amro Nagah has been appointed as General Manager at Swissôtel Al Murooj Dubai. The role sees him move on from Roda Amwaj Suites, where he was GM for almost three years.
  • Bob Suri has been appointed as General Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island. He brings nearly two decades with more than thirty years of international hospitality experience.
  • Angela Aguilera Díaz has been appointed as Sous Chef at Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort. She has over a decade of culinary experience, having started her culinary journey in Mexico.
  • Hossam Nabil has been appointed as General Manager at Cheval Maison-The Palm Dubai. He has more than 20 years of experience working in hospitality, having led a number of hospitality teams across the Middle East and north Africa.
  • Bhavesh Rawal has been appointed as Hotel Manager at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre. He will also be responsible for the sales and operations of all off-site catering business. 
  • Bob Suri joined at Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island as General Manager. He is a legend within the group, having served Four Seasons for close to 20 years and working across some of its most famous properties.
  • Akram Al Ameer has been appointed as General Manager at Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel. He served as EAM before being made director of operations in 2018.
  • Federico Villoni has been appointed as Executive Chef at Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel. He was previously executive chef at the Gattarella Resort in Puglia, Italy, and was a culinary teacher in Italy for a year before that.
  • Bernhard Kolsch has been appointed as Director of People & Culture at Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel. In 2017, he became director of people and culture at the Four Seasons Resort in Seychelles.
  • Ali Jani has been appointed as Marketing & Communications Manager at Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel. He began in hospitality with Anantara, working in Oman as a marketing and PR executive.
  • Rahil Khan has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel. He steps into the DOSM position after two decades of working in hospitality.
  • Nicola Mandolini has been appointed as Operations Manager at Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel. His most recent role was in Armenia as the GM of Grand Hotel Yerevan for two years. 
  • Kshitiz Bist has been appointed as Operations Manager at Premier Inn Dubai Silicon Oasis Hotel. He brings more than a decade of experience to Premier Inn, having previously worked with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and Radisson Hotels.
  • Nathalie Valgaeren has been appointed as Front Office Manager at Hyatt Centric Jumeirah Dubai. In this role, she will lead both the front office and concierge teams, heading up the creation of new operating procedures.
  • Ermanno Zanini has been promoted to Regional Vice President at Jumeirah Group, Southern Europe and United Kingdom. His new remit extends his regional responsibilities to include all aspects of the brand's operations in Italy, Spain, as well as the Group's hotels in London, UK.
  • Kifah Bin Hussein has been appointed as General Manager at Hyatt Regency Riyadh Olaya. He looks forward to bringing a new vision, new strategies and the power of empathy to his new role at the property.
  • Carolin Henze named as Director of Sales at The St. Regis Abu Dhabi. She joined the hotel in 2018 as a sales manager and quickly progressed in her career.
  • Jagdeep Thakral has been appointed as General Manager at dusitD2 Naseem Resort Jabal Akhdar. He is an accomplished leader with a proven track record of success in the hospitality industry.
  • Erkan Karatas joined Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel as General Manager. He started with the group back in 2001 and joins the Oman hotel from The St. Regis Istanbul where he was general manager since 2019.
  • Harun Dursun has been appointed as Managing Director at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in Dubai. He will oversee all aspects of the new luxury lifestyle resort, which includes a striking, architecturally designed hotel and a wealth of dining and lifestyle experiences.
  • Tony Leonardi has been appointed as Chef de Cuisine at Carna by Dario Cecchini, at SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences. With an impressive culinary background, he brings with him a wealth of experience accumulated over the course of his career.

­­Africa
  • Djazia Mossino has been appointed as Sales & Marketing Director at Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech. She welcomes the team with drive and motivation, and a passion for the resort's location and proposition, leading the hotel into its next chapter of progression.
  • Four Seasons Resort Seychelles and Four Seasons Resort Seychelles at Desroches Island welcomes Carlos Rodriguez as Senior Executive Chef. He will take leadership across the outlets and kitchens of both properties.

Services

Executive Search
Recruiting
Talent Assessment

Company

Boutique Search Firm
Since 1992

Contact

310.552.2221
[email protected]

© COPYRIGHT 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • About
  • Lessons
    • Selling the Offer
    • Attracting Talent
  • Reports
    • Apr 2025
    • Mar 2025
    • Feb 2025
    • Jan 2025
    • Dec 2024
    • Nov 2024
    • Oct 2024
    • Sep 2024
    • Aug 2024
    • Jul 2024
    • Jun 2024
    • May 2024
    • Apr 2024
    • Mar 2024
    • Feb 2024
    • Jan 2024
  • Contact