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People on the move: Waldorf, Meyer Jabara, The Jaffa

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, California, and its sister property, The Beverly Hilton, California, announced the newest addition to the executive team with the recent appointment of Dana Cooper as complex director of sales and marketing. Cooper will be responsible for overseeing all sales and marketing initiatives at both properties, along with achieving sales growth, and leading and motivating both on-property teams.

With over 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Cooper is well-versed in selling top-tier offerings to global travel and event advisors, boosting community engagement, developing bespoke experiences, and driving an organization’s overall sales strategy.

Most recently, Cooper served as the area director of sales and marketing for Mill Valley, California-based Auberge Resorts Collection. Prior, she held positions at Ritz-Carlton and Rosewood properties around the country.

“Dana is a wonderful addition to both hotels, and her experience in the luxury hospitality market is a true asset that will absolutely allow us to continue to deliver exceptional service, curate unique collaborations, and further increase customer loyalty as travel rebounds,” said Vanessa Williams, general manager at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.

From left, clockwise: Dana Cooper (Waldorf Astoria), Kerem Kendigelen (Ritz-Carlton), Judy Velez (Hotel Zachary) and Andy De La Cruz (Westin Anaheim)

Residence Inn Tampa-Wesley Chapel, Tampa, Florida, has announced the appointment of Craig Barnett as general manager. Prior to joining Residence Inn Tampa Wesley Chapel, Barnett was resort general manager with Bluegreen Vacations Ltd., managing The Studio Homes at Ellis Square in Savannah, Georgia.

Langham Hospitality Group, Hong Kong, has welcomed back Brett Butcher as chief executive officer. He previously served in the same role for five years from 2009. He left the group in 2014 and returned as chief executive officer of GE Hospitality Asset Management in 2017, a position that he will continue to hold. Prior to LHG, Butcher served in various operational and executive roles for nearly 20 years across the Pacific, North America, and China.

Mark Driscoll is the regional managing director for the District of Columbia and Delaware, based at the Hamilton Hotel, Washington, D.C. Driscoll was previously area managing director at New York-based EOS Hospitality.

The Westin Anaheim Resort, Anaheim, California, announced its food & beverage executive team. Nicholas Kabetso is the new director of food & beverage. Kabesto hails from two 4 Diamond resorts, including positions as the director of food & beverage at Hilton Anaheim and assistant director of food & beverage at Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, Hawaii. Mark Timms is the new executive chef. Most recently, he was the executive chef at Create, delivering events at locations such as Kensington Palace, Saint James Palace, Windsor Castle, and Lancaster House in England. Mario Selar is the new director of beverage. Prior to this, Selar served as the general manager of the Silver Trumpet Restaurant & Bar in Orange County, California. Andy De La Cruz is the lead pastry chef. Prior to this role, De La Cruz was the pastry chef at Fashion Island Hotel, Newport Beach, California.

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, Miami, Florida, announced Kerem Kendigelen as hotel manager. Kendigelen comes to Miami from Toronto, Canada, where he served as hotel manager at The St. Regis Hotel & Residences.

Meyer Jabara Hotels, Danbury, Connecticut, announced two new hires to its management team. Mark Kronick joins as chief financial officer and Daniela Burga joins as senior VP of human resources. Kronick previously served as CFO for Club Quarters Hotels, Stamford, Connecticut. Burga previously served as a corporate human resources director with a notable hotel management company.

Starwood Capital Group, Miami, Florida, has appointed Raul Leal as chief executive officer of SH Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary that oversees brands such as 1 Hotels, Treehouse Hotels and Baccarat. Leal was most recently president and CEO of Virgin Hotels, Miami, Florida.

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, California, announced the appointment of Sue McLain as their newest senior sales manager. McLain was previously senior sales manager at the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore, Santa Barbara.

Broadwick Soho in London, England, announced three management positions ahead of its opening in June 2022. David Monson has been appointed to general manager; Sabine Kern has been named director of sales and marketing and Andrea Gelardin is creative director. Prior to joining the Broadwick team, Monson was the general manager of COMO The Halkin London. Kern previously worked at the first EDITION hotel in London. Gelardin previously worked with UK-based fashion brand Fiorucci.

The team at Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham, Massachusetts, welcomed Robert Muehlich as the new director of operations. Most recently, Muehlich was the executive assistant manager at The Willard Intercontinental in Washington, D.C.

Soul Community Planet, San Juan Capistrano, California, has named Katie Osse to the newly-created position of head of people servicesPrior to joining SCP, Osse served as the director of people at Daydream – a startup combining upscale lifestyle apartment living with fully-managed home sharing.

Dromoland Castle in County Clare, Ireland, has appointed Xavier Perche to oversee its entire food and beverage program. Perche has held executive management roles at the K Club, Mount Juliet Estate and Northern Ireland’s Lough Erne Resort.

Anneke Pienaar has been appointed as general manager of City Lodge Hotel Maputo in Mozambique. She was most recently general manager of City Lodge Hotel Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

Kim Saleik is the new director of venue sales at The Schuyler in Washington, D.C. She has over 25 years of experience in the events industry.

The Jaffa, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Tel Aviv, Israel, appointed Michael Schmid as general manager. Schmid previously served as the general manager for the Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences in São Paulo, Brazil.

Hotel Zachary, Chicago, Illinois, has appointed Judy Velez as director of food and beverage. Most recently, Velez was the director of food and beverage at Ace Hotel Chicago.

Dallas, Texas-based Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) welcomed Silvia Zamora to the ALHI executive team as vice president of meeting design and experience. Prior to joining ALHI, Zamora was director of event operations at Virtuoso, a global network of travel agencies based in Fort Worth, Texas.

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