Belmond appointed Karl Bieberach senior vice president of global development, effective March 22, 2021. Bieberach, whose prior role was chief development officer at Rosewood Hotel Group, will be responsible for the global expansion of Belmond’s portfolio.
“Belmond has a renewed and ambitious strategy that will position us as the leading provider of incomparable genuine travel experiences,” said Roeland Vos, president and chief executive officer, Belmond. “Part of this strategy is our commitment to finding unique assets in remarkable locations … Karl has an excellent track record and proven ability to grow well-respected hospitality brands. With his wealth of industry knowledge and expertise, he will play an instrumental role in strategically growing the company’s footprint through property acquisitions and new management agreements.”
Bieberach has 25 years of experience spanning a variety of senior roles at brands including Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Marriott International and HVS International. Over the course of his career, he has evaluated or transacted nearly 500 deals globally.
Eric Bates is general manager for Wingspread Retreat & Executive Conference Center, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels conference center hotel in Racine, Wisconsin. Bates previously served as general manager for Eaglewood Resort & Spa, a Benchmark resort in Itasca, Illinois. Over the course of his career, Bates has held leadership positions for independent and branded resorts, and hotel brands including Hilton, InterContinental Hotels, the Stouffer Hotel Company and Marriott International. He is a two-time recipient of Regional Hotelier of the Year honors from the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association.
The Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, Montana, named Alison Beazley executive chef of Pomp. Brandon Cunningham, former Paws Up sous chef, is executive chef at sister property, The Green O, opening this June. Krystle Swenson also joined The Green O as pastry chef and Ben Scott, former sous chef at Paws Up, is now executive chef of outdoor dining. Beazley recently was sous chef at The French Laundry in Yountville, California. Cunningham’s background includes experience at high-end restaurants and with live-fire cooking. Swenson was named an “Outstanding Pastry Chef” semifinalist in 2020 by the James Beard Foundation.
The Langham, Boston, welcomed Stephen Bukoff as executive chef, overseeing in-room dining, banqueting and the property’s new restaurant, Grana, opening this June. Prior to joining The Langham team, Bukoff spent 16 years with Four Seasons Hotels. He worked as a chef de partie at Four Seasons Boston, then became sous chef at Four Seasons Westlake Village, California, before moving onto Yew Seafood + Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver, Canada. Most recently, Stephen was restaurant chef at Edge Restaurant + Bar, the flagship steakhouse at the Four Seasons Denver.
The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida, appointed Christian Clair director of food and beverage. Clair most recently served as executive chef of Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Dorado, Puerto Rico, where he was part of the pre-opening team. He’s also held culinary positions at hotels in France, the United Kingdom and the United States, including Sofitel Chicago Water Tower; The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, California; and The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
IHG Hotels & Resorts appointed Dennis Corrigan senior vice president of commercial services — a role in which he will focus on long- and short-term commercial performance supporting all regions, channels and revenue sources. Prior to joining IHG, Corrigan was senior vice president, revenue, Americas for Avis Budget Group. Corrigan, a U.S. Army veteran, has revenue management leadership experience at companies including JetBlue Airways, United Airlines and American Airlines.
Davidson Hospitality Group appointed Paul Eckert senior vice president, operations, and Todd Stein corporate executive chef, Davidson Restaurant Group. Eckert joined the team from Aimbridge Hospitality where he served as vice president of operations for three years, most recently focused on Evolution Hospitality. Previously, Eckert spent almost three years with White Lodging. Among his roles at White Lodging, he was the opening dual general manager for Le Méridien Denver Downtown and AC Hotel Denver. Earlier in his career, he spent 15 years at Omni Hotels & Resorts in various roles, culminating in vice president, special projects. Stein recently served as corporate chef at Quartino Ristorante in Chicago, where he led the development of a national rollout of the Italian restaurant, which is part of Gibsons Restaurant Group. Previously, he was executive chef and partner at B. Hospitality Co. During his career, Stein contributed to a number of restaurants in the Midwest and Chicago, including Cibo Matto and Roof at the Wit Hotel, Chicago; The Florentine at JW Marriott, Chicago; and the restaurants of 4 Star Restaurant Group.
Scott Flexman is vice president of sales and marketing at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, overseeing sales and marketing efforts for The Broadmoor, The Broadmoor Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway and the Wilderness Experience portfolio. Flexman most recently was complex director of sales and marketing, Caribe Royale Orlando/Buena Vista Suites in Orlando, Florida. Prior to that, Flexman was vice president of sales and marketing for the Fontainebleau, Miami Beach, Florida, and director of sales and marketing for Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Virginia. Earlier in his career, he was vice president of sales and marketing for Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, Florida. His experience includes 16 years in management positions with Stouffer and Renaissance Hotels.
Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla in Cancun, Mexico, named Adrian Gerbolés executive chef. Prior to joining the property, Gerbolés was executive chef at Hilton Mexico City, Mexico, and served on the pre-opening task force at Umbral, Curio Collection by Hilton, also in Mexico City.
Laurent Géroli is general manager of The Grady Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. Géroli joined The Grady after spending more than two years at the Seelbach Hilton Hotel in Louisville as director of food and beverage. He has 26 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including in roles where he has overseen multimillion-dollar budgets and culinary teams for luxury hotels’ food and beverage programs.
Hawaiian Hotels and Resorts promoted George Gomes Jr. to regional executive chef for the Royal Kona Resort in Kailua-Kona and Royal Lahaina Resort in Lahaina, Hawaii. Gomes will oversee the culinary programs for both resorts, while supporting the creativity of the food and beverage teams at each property. Gomes became executive chef for Royal Kona Resort in 2019. Earlier in his career, he worked at many fine-dining establishments in Hawaii, including Tri-Star Restaurant Group, where he was corporate executive chef for five restaurants on multiple islands.
Soon-to-open The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection Hotel in Jackson, Wyoming, named Bruce Grosbety regional vice president and general manager, and Pam Clark director of sales and marketing. Grosbety’s career has spanned 30 years and he has held leadership roles at properties across the U.S., including roles with Enchantment Group, MetWest Terra, Vail Resorts, Four Seasons and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. He has served as the president of the Wyoming Lodging & Restaurant, as well as the Wyoming Tourism Board. Prior to joining The Cloudveil, Clark was director of leisure and corporate sales at Four Seasons Chicago. Throughout her 20-year hospitality career, Clark has led corporate sales and marketing teams, including those at Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile, Langham Chicago, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Loews L’Enfant Plaza in Washington, D.C.
AC Hotel Fort Lauderdale Sawgrass Mills/Sunrise, opening this March in Sunrise, Florida, appointed Michael Lauria general manager and Christine Caraccia director of sales and marketing. Lauria has three decades of hospitality experience, including five years with Concord Hospitality, most recently as general manager of Residence Inn by Marriott Miami Beach Surfside in Surfside, Florida, and general manager at Hyatt Place Miami Airport – East in Miami. Before joining Concord Hospitality, Lauria was hotel manager at Bonaventure Resort & Spa in Weston, Florida, and also spent 22 years with Hyatt Hotels. Prior to her appointment, Caraccia was director of national accounts for Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami Beach, Florida. Her past engagements include group account manager at W Fort Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, senior sales manager at Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles, and group sales manager at W South Beach in Miami Beach.
El Encanto, a Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara, California, welcomed Bruno Lopez as executive chef. Lopez has 25 years of experience, including his recent role as executive chef at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, California. Lopez, who received his culinary education in Paris, later moved to the United States where he spent 10 years in various roles within The Ritz-Carlton portfolio. He spent a significant amount of time in Los Angeles, where he worked at Hotel Bel-Air in addition to positions as executive chef at Raffles L’Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills and the Regent Beverly Wilshire.
Sébastien Mariette returned to Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, Jordan, as cluster general manager. Mariette joined after his most recent post in Egypt with Kempinski as area general manager. In addition to managing Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea, he has a supervisory role at Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea, Jordan. Mariette has spent 14 years with Kempinski, working at properties in Bulgaria, Djibouti and China before returning to the Middle East and Africa region as general manager at Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea. In 2016, he was promoted to cluster general manager for Kempinski Hotel Ishtar Dead Sea and Kempinski Hotel Aqaba Red Sea. Later in 2018, Mariette joined Emerald Palace Kempinski & Kempinski Residences Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as managing director. In June 2019, he assumed the role of project director Asia, acting as managing director at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore. Most recently, he was general manager at Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski Cairo, Egypt, and area general manager, Egypt.
Kennebunkport Resort Collection in Kennebunkport, Maine, named Ophelia Muradian general manager of Hidden Pond and The Tides Beach Club. She recently was director of guest experiences at The Newbury Boston. Emily Nelson is general manager of the group’s Cape Arundel Inn & Resort after previously serving as guest services supervisor for Auberge Resorts Collection’s White Barn Inn & Spa in Kennebunkport. John Nickulas is assistant general manager of Kennebunkport Inn, Boathouse Waterfront Hotel + Restaurant, The Lodge on the Cove, Yachtsman Hotel & Marina and Grand Hotel. He recently was the credit manager for Royal Sonesta Boston.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) named Suzanne Neufang executive director, leading GBTA and the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE). Neufang most recently was senior vice president, Americas, for HRS Global Hotel Solutions. Before HRS, she spent 10 years as an executive leader with Sabre Travel Network, GetThere and Travelocity, later serving as a divisional chief marketing officer for Intuit. Neufang led ACTE as board president from 2012 to 2014, and as a board member from 2014 to 2018. She served as ACTE’s interim executive director during summer 2012.
JLL promoted Gilda Perez-Alvarado to global chief executive officer of its hotels and hospitality group to succeed Mark Wynne-Smith, who will continue as global chief executive officer of valuation advisory. Previously, Wynne-Smith had dual global leadership of both the hotels and hospitality group and valuation advisory business. With more than a decade of building a platform for the global hotels sector, Wynne-Smith will now solely focus on the valuation advisory business. Perez-Alvarado, who was named CEO of the hotels group for the Americans in September 2018, will continue to lead the Americas along with her expanded global responsibilities. Additionally, she will lead ESG initiatives in hospitality, including commitments to diversity and inclusion, and sustainability. Perez-Alvarado previously led international marketing efforts for hotels including the St. Regis New York in New York City; Montage Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, California; Four Seasons Toronto, Canada; InterContinental New York Barclay and The Standard High Line, both in New York City; and Mandarin Oriental Boston.
Tarun Rajain is executive director of food and beverage at Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club in Brewster, Massachusetts. Formerly complex director of food and beverage at 24 North and Gates Resort in Key West, Florida, Rajain has more than 15 years’ experience managing food and beverage departments. Prior to 24 North and Gates Resort, Rajain worked his way up to assistant complex director of food and beverage at the Waldorf Astoria Casa Marina and The Reach Resort in Key West where he rebranded the resort’s restaurant. He’s served as director of outlets at Bahia Mar Beach Resort and before that, as food and beverage manager at Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, both in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort in Key West, Florida, appointed Yunior Rodriguez general manager. Rodriguez had been general manager at Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys. During his seven years with Hawks Cay Resort, he held various executive leadership roles. Before that, he was director of food and beverage at Casa Marina by Waldorf Astoria, also in Key West.
Scheduled to open this spring in Oceanside, California, the Mission Pacific Hotel, a Joie de Vivre Hotel and The Seabird Resort, a Destination Hotel, appointed Michael Stephens area managing director, Brandon Hendricks area director of sales and marketing, Melissa Lindley director of travel industry sales, Tyler Garcia director of sales and Robert Yealu area director of food and beverage. Stephens began his career at Hyatt Regency Lexington in Lexington, Kentucky, then moved into roles at Grand Hyatt DFW in Dallas, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort in Wailea, Hawaii, Grand Hyatt São Paulo, Brazil, Two Roads Hospitality and Paradise Point Resort & Spa, San Diego. Hendricks previously served as director of sales and marketing for The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, and he has held leadership positions with brands including The St. Regis, Sage Hospitality, Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas and Hyatt Hotels. Lindley has more than 20 years in the industry and has worked with brands including IMG, The Ritz-Carlton, AKA Hotels, American Express Global Business Travel and Forty 1° North Hotel and Marina in Newport, Rhode Island. Most recently, she was business travel sales manager at Motif Seattle, a Destination Hotel. Prior to joining the team, Garcia was director of sales at Paradise Point Resort & Spa. Earlier, he spent five years at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa in Carlsbad, California, as group sales manager and business and leisure sales manager, then joined Hotel La Jolla in La Jolla, California, as director of sales and marketing. Yealu’s career has spanned roles in food and wellbeing. He was the founder and principal of Treehouse Hospitality, a bespoke consultancy agency. He also has hotel management experience, having served as director of food and beverage at properties in Washington, D.C.
Radisson Hotel Group appointed Tanya Taylor executive vice president and general counsel, Americas. Taylor most recently was general counsel, head of legal and business affairs, for a telecommunications and mobile startup, Yonder Media Mobile. Throughout her career, Taylor has held various legal roles in hospitality. She was vice president, regional general counsel, North America at Millennium Hotels & Resorts and spent nine years as vice president, regional general counsel, U.S., Latin America and Caribbean for Wyndham Hotel Group. Taylor has broad experience in commercial contract negotiations, mergers and acquisitions, litigation management, employment law, labor relations, intellectual property, and general business and operations experience.