Habitas, the sustainable, experience-led hospitality brand based in New York City, has welcomed Marco Franck as its global head of hotels. In this new role, Franck will oversee the operations of all Habitas’ current and future hotels, including wellness, sustainability, revenue management and sales, to support the group’s global growth. He will report directly to Habitas Co-founder and CEO Oliver Ripley.
Franck joins Habitas from his previous role as MD of operations for Aman Asia, where he led the executive and strategic oversight of Aman’s Asia portfolio. Having spent over 12 years with Aman, his previous roles included global head sustainability, regional director Americas and general manager Amanyara. He also held various executive roles with Starwood, Shangri-La and InterContinental after a decade working in fashion and the restaurant and bar scene in Paris.
“I am excited to be joining Habitas at such a pivotal moment for the group with its impressive expansion globally,” Franck said. “For me, the brand represents the future of hospitality: true sustainable design, thoughtful experiences that embrace local culture, and the sense of community.”
Born in Puerto Rico and trilingual, Franck has resided in more than 20 countries and is now based at Habitas’ office in London. He has a passion for architecture, design, watersports, community outreach programs and environmental conservation.
Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa, California, has selected executive chef Rodrigo Alvarez to spearhead The Park Bistro & Bar. Alvarez held chef positions at Cache Creek Casino Resort, also in California, and its restaurant, C2 Seafood & Steakhouse.
Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana, has promoted Joel Babe to hotel manager after his tenure as director of rooms.
The Hideaway at Hull Bay, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, has appointed Risa Chu as executive chef and Zoe Newbold as farm project manager. Chu has spent the last 10 years serving as a chef on private yachts across the globe, whereas Newbold had a brief stint studying abroad in Tanzania to earn a degree in Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology.
Banana Bay Resort & Marina in the Florida Keys has appointed a new resort manager, Christopher Dorsey. Most recently, Dorsey held the position of director of front office at Hawks Cay Resort, Florida.
U.S. Travel Association has selected Geoff Freeman as president and CEO. He re-joins the U.S. Travel Association after nearly a decade of association leadership—first as president and CEO of the American Gaming Association and then as the current president and CEO of the Consumer Brands Association.
Coast Hospitality Management, Portland, Oregon, promoted Stephen Galvan to regional director of sales. Galvan’s previous role was that of director of sales at Vesta Hospitality, also in Oregon.
Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, Galena, Illinois, has hired Stephen Geisz as the general manager. Geisz most recently served as the general manager at the Grand Harbor Resort and Water Park in Dubuque, Iowa.
Lord Baltimore Hotel, Maryland, named Betsy Goldfeder as its new director of catering sales. Her latest role was that of director of catering at Schmaltz Brothers, Maryland, while also working independently as a consultant.
The Star Sydney, Australia, has made two promotions in its NSW property leadership team. Christina Grasso has been promoted to general manager hotels, events, and guest experience, while Jason Alcock assumes the position of general manager food and beverage. Grasso has been instrumental in The Darling Sydney (The Star’s restaurant) retaining its Forbes Five Star rating, while Alcock has previously held senior operational positions within the organization, including executive chef and director of food and beverage operations.
Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku, Hawaii, has appointed Lyle Kaku as executive chef. His most recent role was that of sous executive chef at Sahara, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Anna Karas has been named director of marketing and communications at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. Karas comes to the hotel with over a decade of experience, including most recently at Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives in the same role.
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, California, has appointed Sean Kim as director of commercial services. Kim spent the past four years at Hyatt Regency Indian Wells serving as director of revenue management.
Loews Coral Gables Hotel, Florida, has appointed Mutluhan Kucuk to complex managing director and Nadim Barrage to general manager. Kucuk will continue to oversee all operational aspects of Loews Miami Beach Hotel, where he has served as managing director since 2019. Barrage comes to Loews from Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel, where he served as general manager.
The Chedi Andermatt, Switzerland, has welcomed Carsten Alexander Kypke as executive chef. Kypke, who was born in Berlin, most recently worked in the Charlottenburg district as executive chef at the Waldorf Astoria in Berlin.
HEI Hotels & Resorts, Norwalk, Connecticut, has announced the hiring of Tony Lariño as managing director of investments. Most recently, Lariño was a partner with Rockwood Capital, New York.
Conrad Bora Bora Nui, Motu To’opua, Bora Bora, appointed chef Jean-Luc L’Hourre as the new executive chef. Prior to joining the team, Chef L’Hourre worked at the Marinca Hotel & Spa in Corsica, Spain.
Dorchester Collection, London, England, appointed Milet Lukey as vice president, people and culture. Lukey rejoins Dorchester Collection following her most recent position as vice president of talent and culture for the Americas at Rosewood Hotel Group.
Hotel Group, Wilton, Connecticut, has appointed Lisa Marchese as the firm’s first chief commercial officer. Before Northview Hotel Group, Marchese served as chief commercial officer at Fora, London, England.
Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel, Florida, welcomes Tim Marleau as its general manager. Most recently, Marleau served as the vice president of hotel operations at RGB Hospitality, Texas. In addition to a new general manager, the hotel also named Philip O’Brien as executive chef. Most recently, O’Brien served as executive chef and food and beverage manager at the Marriott Orlando Downtown, also in Florida.
The Driskill, Texas, is adding Nori Meisner to the hotel’s staff as historic tour guide and special events concierge.
The Karol Hotel, Pinellas County, Florida, has welcomed Thomas Parker as executive chef. Chef Thomas was most recently executive chef of the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Canton, Ohio.
W Hotels, New York City, has appointed Craig Reaume as the general manager and Perry Pisani the director of sales and marketing at W Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Reaume’s latest role was that of vice president, hotel franchise operations for Accor, while Pisani joins after a tenure as director of sales for The St. Regis Toronto.
Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, California, has promoted Conrad Reddick to director of operations. He previously served as the hotel’s director of food and beverage.
St. Regis Mexico City has appointed Rodrigo Rizzi as general manager. In his most recent role, Rizzi served as general manager of the JW Marriott El Convento Cusco, Peru.
Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, has hired Antonio Saponara as its new general manager. Saponara was previously the pre-opening general manager of Bulgari Hotel & Residences Moscow, Russia, slated to open in December 2022.
JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, Miami, Florida, has welcomed Robert (Bob) Tedesco as managing director. Tedesco most recently held the position of senior vice president and assistant general manager at The Cordish Company Live! Casino and Hotel in Maryland.
Auberge Resorts Collection, Mill Valley, California, has appointed Ekrem Tercanoglu as general manager of Goldener Hirsch, Auberge Resorts Collection, Deer Valley, Utah. Most recently, he served as resort manager at Madeline Hotel & Residencies, Auberge Resorts Collection in Telluride, Colorado.
Marcus at Baha Mar Fish + Chop House, Nassau, The Bahamas, has hired two new executive team members: Executive Sous Chef Christopher Totah and Assistant Director of Food and Beverage Laura Jacobsen. Totah’s previous role was that of sous chef at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Bermuda, while Jacobsen’s was restaurant general manager for Four Seasons in Bahamas.
Hotel del Coronado, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, San Diego, California, has appointed Michael Tuesca as director of its new luxury hotel, Shore House at The Del, set to open September 2022. Tuesca joins the team after his tenure as director of guest services at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego.
Fairmont Vancouver Airport, Canada, has chosen Randall Williams as general manager. Williams most recent position was general manager of 21c Museum Hotel Chicago, Illinois.
The Langham, Chicago, Illinois, has selected Anthony Zamora as its new general manager. Zamora returns to Chicago after being a part of the executive leadership team at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles.