Minor Hotels appointed Alejandro Bernabé as group director of Avani Hotels & Resorts. Bernabé started his career in F&B working in Switzerland, followed by South Africa, France and Sri Lanka, before joining Kempinski in 1998 as pre-opening F&B Manager at the Kempinski Hotel Plaza in Jakarta.
Richard Blankenship was named executive chef of the Texas-based Omni Frisco Hotel. He joins the hotel from a previous role as executive chef for CBD Provisions at the Joule Hotel. Additionally, Michael Salerno will serve as general manager for the hotel’s restaurant Neighborhood Services. He joins Omni from his role as general manager for the Neighborhood Services in Addison, Texas.
The Peninsula Hotels has appointed Carson Glover as director of global communications, Mark Kobayashi as vice president of marketing, and James Overbaugh as director of group food and beverage operations.
Carneros Resort and Spa appointed Ty Brassie as director of sales and marketing for the 28-acre luxury Napa Valley property. Brassie joins the executive team following the property’s recent appointment of Managing Director Edward Costa.
The Shores Resort & Spa named Richard Byrd as general manager of the 212-room boutique hotel. Most recently, Byrd was general manager at the Crowne Plaza Melbourne-Oceanfront.
Chicago-based Wischermann Partners named Paul E. Cardona as general manager of the 172-room Le Meridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center. Cardona previously held executive roles at the Four Seasons Hotel & Resorts, Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, Soho House & Co., Miami’s SLS Hotel and the Park Hyatt Chicago.
John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts named Sandy Clinton as director of sales at the company’s 283-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos Hotel, Conference Center & Spa in San Marcos, Texas.
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North appointed Philip Clough as resort manager. A six-year veteran of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Clough hails most recently from the brand’s newest Hawaiian resort, Oahu at Ko Olina.
Megan Coccitto was appointed complex director of sales and marketing for sister properties the Marker Waterfront Resort and Southernmost Beach Resort, both located in Key West, Florida.
Malibu, California-based The Ranch named Jason Denby as director of sales and strategic partnerships.
Hilton Head Island’s Sea Pines Resort appointed Jay Edwards as director of restaurants, as well Matthew Roher as the resort’s executive chef. Edwards comes to Sea Pines from Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront. Previously, Rohr served as senior executive chef for the Landings Club Culinary Program.
Maria Gasparella was appointed director of sales at the Tuscan-based Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco. Prior to joining Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Gasparella served as associate director of sales at the Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi.
Marcus Hotels & Resorts appointed three new sales personnel at Omaha’s soon to open Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District. Megan Gilligan was named director of sales and marketing, and Laurie Nielsen-Singer and Kristy Phalen were appointed sales account executives.
New York-based BD Hotels named Leo Glazer as general manager of the 366-room Pod 39. Most recently, Glazer managed BD Hotels’ sister property, The Marlton.
Hershey Entertainment & Resorts promoted Bill Hendrix as general manager of the 276-room Hotel Hershey. Prior to joining Hershey, Hendrix spent five years at various Ritz-Carlton properties.
London-based Supercity Aparthotels appointed Dean Madge as managing director. Madge joins the group from his recent position as general manager at serviced apartment provider, Cheval Residences and prior to that as GM of boutique operator Malmaison.
The San Clemente Palace Kempinski in Venice, appointed Christophe Mercier as its general manager. Christophe succeeds Benedikt Jaschke, who oversaw the resort’s opening under the Kempinski brand in March 2016, and who will now take on the role of vice president of corporate operations for all of Kempinski from its head office in Geneva.
Karan Narang joins Dream Hotel Group as senior director of acquisition and development analysis. Previously, Narang served as director of acquisitions and financial analysis for nearly six years at Hospitality Ventures Management Group.
Marcus Hotels & Resorts promoted Jeff Peterson to vice president of finance and transaction administration in addition to John Hendricks as division controller. Previously. Peterson served more than 17 years with Hyatt in various real estate, asset management, finance and accounting roles. Hendricks previously served as an audit manager for KPMG, LLP.
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino appointed Robert Purdy as general manager. With 31 years of hospitality experience, Purdy most recently served as general manager at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa in Colorado.
Texas-based Canyon Ranch appointed four new hires — Parool Shah as the brand’s global director of communications, Lionel Valla, as managing director at Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort at Kaplankaya, Mindi Morin as general manager at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Massachusetts, and Max Scherff as director of food & beverage at Canyon Ranch in Lenox.
Los Angeles-based Viceroy Hotel Group promoted Jeff Smith as chief financial officer. Prior to joining VHG, he worked for Intercontinental Hotels Group, holding roles as director of finance and director of FP&A for the America’s region.
Hilton appointed Marco Tabet as general manager of the 375-room Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort. Previously, Tabet served as general manager of Hilton Lima Miraflores since 2013.
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants named Stephane Vogel as general manager of the 107-room boutique Kimpton Lorien Hotel & Spa in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Previously, Vogel held various positions during his seven-year tenure with Hyatt Hotels.