Jannah Hotels and Resorts appointed Anna Luisa Asistio assistant director of marketing and communications. In her new role, Asistio takes charge of the overall management of the marketing department, developing and executing strategic plans and budgets, and spearheading the digital marketing team.
“We’re thrilled with the proven success of [Asistio] in building the brand and I’m confident that she will bring new perspective that will [inspire] guests to stay with us,” said Ossama Charrouf, vice president, sales and marketing, Jannah Hotels and Resorts.
Asistio has been with Jannah Hotels and Resorts since October 2016. Prior to her recent appointment, she was the company’s digital marketing manager, based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In the past, Asistio worked with Heirloom Hotels and with Andalus Hotels & Resorts.
Montage Hotels & Resorts named Matt Bailey general manager of Montage Kapalua Bay in Lahaina, Hawaii. Bailey joined the property from Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California, where he was managing director. Previously, he spent five years as president and chief operating officer of Aqua-Aston Hospitality in Hawaii. Bailey has held additional leadership roles including managing director of The Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa, a Waldorf Astoria Resort in Wailea, Hawaii; senior vice president of Aston Hotels & Resorts in Honolulu; co-founder and executive vice president of Fandango Resorts in Park City, Utah; vice president and general manager of Sundance Resort in Sundance, Utah; general manager of The Manele Bay Hotel in Lanai City, Hawaii; resident manager of The Kapalua Bay Hotel & Villas in Lahaina; and general manager of the Keauhou Beach and Kona Lagoon Hotels in Kona, Hawaii.
Steve Belmonte joined Amdel Associates as managing director of the hospitality division, effective August 1, 2020. Belmonte, a 40-year hospitality veteran, will use his experience to introduce Amdel to the hotel and lodging industry along with affiliated companies that stand to benefit most from investment by Amdel’s clients. Belmonte was chief executive officer of Ramada for almost 11 years. He also served as executive vice president of the Cendant Hotel Division, now Wyndham Worldwide. For nearly a decade after his time at Wyndham, Belmonte founded and ran Hospitality Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in lodging industry issues at the hotel and corporate levels. In 2011, Belmonte owned and managed a hotel franchise company, Vimana Franchise Systems, which was sold in August 2018.
One Lakeside, a new hotel and residence property in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, welcomed Laura DeMott as general manager. In her new role, DeMott oversees all aspects of property operations, including both hotel and residences, amenities and guest services. She brings more than a decade of experience to the property, most recently serving as director of front office at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa in Lahaina, Hawaii. DeMott also worked as assistant director of front office at The Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort Villas in Lahaina.
White Elephant Palm Beach, a boutique hotel opening September 23, 2020, in Palm Beach, Florida, appointed Bernhard Duerrmeier general manager. Before accepting this position, Duerrmeier spent 15 years with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts in leadership roles, most recently as hotel manager for its Montreal, Canada, property. He also held positions with the Mandarin Oriental Group and Hotel L’Hermitage in the United Kingdom.
The Kimpton Brice Hotel in Savannah, Georgia, appointed Xavier Etcheberrigaray general manager. Etcheberrigaray began his career as a barman and F&B trainee with InterContinental Hotels in Miami and Atlanta before pursuing his MBA. Most recently, Etcheberrigaray was hotel manager of the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Prior to this, he was director of hotel operations at Caesars Entertainment, based in Las Vegas, where he executed hospitality initiatives for Caesars Brands, including Caesars Palace, Flamingo and Harrah’s. He also spent time internationally with Kempinski Hotels.
Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, named Seth Henrich director of golf and tennis. Prior to joining the team, Henrich was director of golf at the King & Bear and Slammer & Squire at The World Golf Village Resort in St. Augustine, Florida. Before that, he spent 12 years at El Conquistador Resort in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, where he was general manager of club operations. He also was director of golf at Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort in Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas, and golf pro at Dorado Beach Resort and Country Club in Dorado, Puerto Rico.
Kimpton Pittman Hotel, opening later this summer in Dallas, named Jack Murray general manager. A native Texan, Murray began his career with Hyatt Hotels Corp. and has since worked with Dallas establishments including the Fairmont Hotel, Hotel Zaza, The Adolphus, InterContinental Hotel and Wolfgang Puck Catering. Murray comes to the Kimpton Pittman Hotel from The Joule, where he spent five years as regional director of sales and marketing.
Canopy by Hilton Jersey City in Jersey City, New Jersey, appointed Sietse Nabben general manager and chief enthusiast, and Irene Song director of sales and marketing and lead sales enthusiast. Nabben comes to the property with more than 20 years’ experience, including his most recent role as managing director at Highgate’s Royalton Park Avenue Hotel in New York City. He also played a critical role in opening Hotel Hendricks in New York City. The Netherlands native spent time in the San Francisco Bay area, Chicago and Munich, Germany, in a variety of executive roles. Song most recently held the director of sales position at two hotels under the Boast Hotels portfolio, Red Lion Inn & Suites and Holiday Inn Express, both in Brooklyn, New York.
GF Hotels & Resorts appointed Peter Nichols chief investment officer. Nichols brings with him more than 35 years of experience in hospitality operations, management, ownership and brokerage. He served as vice president and national director of the National Hospitality Group at one of the largest hospitality brokerage firms in the United States. He also spent time as senior vice president of acquisitions and development for a Midwest-based hospitality company. In this role, he acquired 20 hotels across North America and developed brand relationships with Marriott, Hilton, InterContinental Hotels Group and Hyatt Hotels.
Ramesh Sadhwani will retire from Wynn Las Vegas, effective July 31, 2020. As executive vice president of hotel operations and general manager, Sadhwani helped establish Wynn Las Vegas as the largest Forbes 5-star resort in the world. During his eight-year tenure, he cultivated relationships with guests and colleagues and helped secure many prestigious recognitions for the property. Over his 40 years in hospitality, Sadhwani led hotel operations for Wynn Las Vegas, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and Caesars Palace.
Jacob Staffin is director of food and beverage at Brush Creek Luxury Ranch Collection in Saratoga, Wyoming. Staffin will oversee food and beverage operations for the collection’s three ranches, as well as The Farm at Brush Creek. Prior to this appointment, Staffin was senior director of F&B, and assistant general manager at Tournament Players Club Sugarloaf in Atlanta, and director of food and beverage at Tournament Players Club River Highlands in Hartford, Connecticut.