Jumeirah Group appointed Ermanno Zanini regional vice president and general manager of Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, its flagship hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In his new position, Zanini will oversee Burj Al Arab Jumeirah’s operations while maintaining oversight of the group’s properties in Italy and Spain.
Zanini joined Jumeirah in 2019 when the Capri Palace in Anacapri, Italy, became part of the Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts portfolio. He continued as the property’s general manager while taking on additional responsibilities for Jumeirah Group as regional vice president for Italy and Spain. His career began in 1993 with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts where he held roles in food and beverage, including food and beverage manager at the Four Seasons Hotel Milan, Italy. In addition to being general manager at Capri Palace, Zanini also led operations as chief commercial officer for Mytha Hotel Anthology (Capri Palace’s former managing group) for its collection of seven hotels in Italy, Turkey, Croatia and Spain.
“[Zanini’s] true passion for hospitality and gastronomy, and extensive expertise in the industry, will further elevate the guest experience at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah across dining service and wellness,” said Fergus Stewart, acting chief operating office of Jumeriah Group. “We are extremely excited to embark on this new journey with him.”
Alila Napa Valley in St. Helena, California, named Ty Accornero general manager. A Sonoma County native, Accornero has 25 years of hospitality experience and has worked with brands including Kimpton, W Hotels and Hilton. Accornero joined Palisades Hospitality in 2011 to transform and relaunch the former Hotel Luca, now the North Block Hotel in Yountville, California, helping the property secure several industry accolades.
Travelle at The Langham in Chicago appointed Qi Ai chef de cuisine. Promoted from sous chef, Ai has been with Travelle at The Langham since July 2019. Ai, who was born and raised in Beijing, China, moved to Chicago to pursue her culinary education. Prior to joining Travelle at The Langham, Ai spent time in Chicago restaurants Acadia, Sixteen and Boka.
Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas in Irving, Texas, welcomed David Bernand back as regional vice president and general manager. Bernand, who has spent 22 years with Four Seasons, started his career with Four Seasons in Las Colinas in 1999 as the assistant food and beverage manager, and sommelier at Café on the Green, which later became Law. He has since held multiple roles at Four Seasons properties throughout the U.S. and Canada, including general manager of Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and most recently, general manager and regional vice president of Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C., with regional oversight of Four Seasons in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Baltimore and Montreal, Canada.
Stephanie Bernazard is director of leisure sales at Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Virginia. Bernazard joined Salamander after nearly three years with the Boca Raton Resort and Club, and Boca Raton Beach Club, both Waldorf Astoria Resorts in Boca Raton, Florida, where she was the luxury leisure sales manager. She’s also worked at Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina and Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, both in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Sylvain Delpique is executive chef at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel in New York City. Delpique joined The Carlyle from New York’s 21 Club, where he spent the last six years as executive chef. Delpique trained in France, then moved to the U.S. in 2001 to become chef de partie at the Union League Café in New Haven, Connecticut. He moved to New York City to work as sous chef at Artisanal before becoming executive chef at David Burke & Donatella, then as executive chef of Burke’s Fishtail. He joined L’Escale in the Delamar Hotel in Greenich, Connecticut, then in 2014 returned to New York to his role at the 21 Club.
Centara Hotels & Resorts appointed Wayne Duberly area general manager located at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya in Pattaya, Thailand, with oversight of Centara Sonrisa Residences & Suites Sriracha in Si Racha, Thailand. Duberly started his career with Centara Hotels & Resorts at Centara Anda Dhevi Resort & Spa Krabi, Thailand, before becoming general manager at Centara Seaview Resort Khao Lak, Thailand. Later, he transferred to Karon Beach Resort Phuket, Thailand, as area general manager, also overseeing Centara Kata Beach Resort Phuket and Waterfront Suites Phuket by Centara.
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes in Orlando, Florida, promoted Greg Durrer to hotel manager. A 21-year company veteran, Durrer returned to Grande Lakes, where he was room director at The JW Marriott from 2007 to 2011. Durrer most recently was general manager for The W Aspen and the Sky Residences in Aspen, Colorado, where he led the opening of both hotels.
CHMWarnick named Marc Ellin managing director. Ellin recently retired from Hyatt Hotels Corporation after more than 30 years of service. His career at Hyatt included numerous roles, such as senior vice president of operations, where he was responsible for all full-service managed Hyatt properties across the southern U.S. Prior to that, Ellin held positions including global head of Miraval Group and Exhale. He also was senior vice president of operations for Hyatt’s luxury and lifestyle hotels across the U.S. and Canada, including Park Hyatt, Andaz, Hyatt Centric and the Unbound Collection by Hyatt. During the course of his career, Ellin held vice president/managing director and general manager positions.
Dimension Development Company promoted Patty Ganner to sales manager at Hyatt Regency Westlake in Westlake Village, California. Ganner most recently was group sales coordinator at the hotel, and previously held guest services positions at the group’s Homewood Suites Agoura Hills property in Agoura Hills, California.
International real estate advisor Savills promoted four team members in its Hotel Capital Markets team in the United Kingdom: James Greenslade is director in the Exeter office; Phoenix Chow is associate director in the Manchester office; Harriet Fuller is associate at the Exeter office; and Frankie Wood is associate in the London office.
Alaia Belize in Ambergris Caye, Belize, named Sandra Grisham-Clothier general manager and Edward Donaldson director of sales and marketing. Grisham-Clothier has worked in the Caribbean for more than 20 years. She was general manager at Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina in Belize City, at Mahogany Bay Resort and Beach Club in San Pedro, Belize, and Grand Isle Resort in Great Exuma, Bahamas. She worked in the British Virgin Islands as chief operating officer at Bitter End Yacht Club and as a manager at Peter Island Resort and Little Dix Bay. Donaldson previously served as the director of sales and marketing for Hilton’s Mahogany Bay Village in Ambergris Caye. He also led marketing and sales for Rosewood Hotels & Resorts’ Tucker’s Point in Bermuda and Mandarin Oriental, Canouan in St. Vincent and Grenadines, as well as consulted for Mint Hotels & Residences, a new brand based in Dominican Republic. He was vice president of marketing for the Americas for Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Best Western Hotels & Resorts named Jay Hubbs vice president of advertising, marketing, innovation and analytics. In the newly created role, Hubbs will lead the brand’s digital advertising, media buying and co-op marketing efforts. Recently, Hubbs was with Remington Hotels where he led the company’s digital marketing efforts and headed up all revenue responsibilities for the company’s independent hotels. Prior to his time at Remington, Hubbs was a senior director with Expedia Partner Services and a vice president of sales at ReviewPro. Earlier in his career, Hubbs worked for Starwood, overseeing revenue management strategy for the company’s New York City hotels, and held various revenue management and operational roles for management companies at hotels across the U.S.
First Hospitality appointed Jason Hutcheson vice president of investments. Prior to joining First Hospitality, Hutcheson worked for AJ Capital Partners as an associate supporting acquisitions, developments and capital markets for Graduate Hotels. He also spent four years with CBRE, most recently as a senior financial analyst, supporting hotel investment sales in the Midwest.
Access Point Financial named Bruce Lowrey chief lending officer. Lowrey brings more than 30 years of financial experience to the role, including expertise in commercial real estate investment, as well as with capital markets and the management of CRE operations. His previous roles include serving as managing director for Rockbridge Capital and senior vice president and co-head of the Capmark/GMAC Commercial Mortgage Hospitality Division.
Sahara Las Vegas welcomed Shawn McClain who brings a new dining concept, Ballo, to the property. McClain, a James Beard award-winning chef, has opened multiple acclaimed restaurants in Chicago, Las Vegas and Detroit. His portfolio consists of both fine dining and casual restaurants.
Nicolas Messian is general manager of the Algonquin Resort in St. Andrews by the Sea, New Brunswick, Canada. Previously, Messian was hotel manager at the Emirates Palace operated by Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi, Dubai. Messian has more than 20 years’ experience operation luxury properties in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the U.S. and the Caribbean, including The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, London’s Dorchester Hotel and the One&Only Royal Mirage in Dubai.
Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key, Florida, appointed Robert Moore resort manager. Moore most recently served as general manager of CSI DMC Nashville, Tennessee. His career in hospitality includes working with Gaylord Hotels as hotel manager and vice president of conference management at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, as well as the same role at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville. He started his hospitality career with Sheraton, working at several properties.
Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort in Phoenix, appointed Abby Murtagh general manager. Murtagh has more than two decades of executive leadership experience within heritage lifestyle, hotel and entertainment brands. As executive director at The New York Palace in New York City, she oversaw a US$35 million food and beverage renovation of seven onsite restaurants and bars. She then became resident manager at the Waldorf Astoria New York, also in New York City. Prior to joining Arizona Biltmore, Murtagh was general manager of the Hilton Salt Lake City Center.
Dream Hotel Group appointed Genell Parker vice president of human resources. Parker joined the group from Hornblower Cruises & Events where she most recently served as vice president of people and development. Prior to Hornblower, she spent 21 years with the Walt Disney Company working in a variety of senior management roles focused on designing and leading human resource operations and culture-shaping initiatives for the company.
Ana Ramírez is director of leisure international sales at Fairmont Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Ramírez has more than 20 years of hospitality experience and has held various progressive positions with brands including Xcaret, Presidente Intercontinental Resorts, and Hotel Marriott Casa Magna in Cancun, Mexico, among others.
Peachtree Hotel Group promoted Michael Ritz to vice president of investments, responsible for managing the origination, underwriting and deal execution of the company’s debt and equity investments. Since joining Peachtree in 2017, Ritz has led more than 40 investments totally US$1.3 billion in capitalization across real estate acquisitions, developments, joint ventures and note purchases.
The La Quinta Resort & Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort in La Quinta, California, introduced Jos van Hengel as chef de cuisine at the resort’s fine dining restaurant, Morgans in the Desert. Originally from the Netherlands, van Hengel worked in kitchens including Michelin-starred Parkheuvel in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and Chicago’s Alinea before transitioning to private events with Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado, California.