Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), an Atlanta-based, private hotel investment, ownership and management company, has promoted four associates to more senior operational positions: Ron Mader was named senior vice president of operations and Margie Vito was promoted to the newly created role of senior vice-president of operations and transitions, while Androse Bell and Bob Kisker were promoted to general manager and regional director of operations, respectively. Additionally, the company named Robert Babst director of operations for select brands.
Before taking on these new roles, Mader was the regional vice president of operations and Vito led the company’s select-service portfolio while developing a leadership team. Bell has served as the lead general manager for the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach and the Delta Hotel by Marriott Daytona Beach Oceanfront (both in Florida); Kisker was general manager of the Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Perimeter Center. Babst most recently oversaw a portfolio of Marriott and Hilton hotels as regional director of operations for InterMountain Management, Louisiana.
“Throughout their careers, whether with HVMG or elsewhere, these individuals have been instrumental to the success of their hotels, from securing the prestigious AAA Four-Diamond status to winning brand Hotel of the Year honors,” said Robert Cole, president and chief executive officer, HVMG. “Each brings a wealth of knowledge and years of experience to her or his new position, and I look forward to their continued success as their roles expand in recognition for all they have achieved.”
Selina has appointed veteran hospitality executive Eyal Amzallag as chief operations officer. Most recently, Amzallag served as managing director South Europe, Middle East & Emerging Markets at Club Med.
Crestline Hotels & Resorts, Fairfax, Virginia, promoted Monica Bernstein to executive vice president and general counsel. Bernstein joined Crestline in 2019 and served as vice president, legal before being promoted to senior vice president, assistant general counsel.
Poco Diablo Resort, Sedona, Arizona, appointed Evan Campbell as its new executive chef. He has spearheaded the opening of several restaurants on the East Coast, spending most of his career in Boston, Massachusetts and Richmond, Virginia.
The Claremont, Southwest Harbor, Maine, announced that Cate Colombo, former director of guest services of Wylie Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, has been appointed as general manager; and Christian Lindsley has been appointed captain of water operations.
The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, Japan, welcomed Xavi Gonzalez as its new general manger. Most recently, Gonzalez served as general manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, Japan.
Arlo Hotels, Miami, Florida, appointed Jennifer Hiblum as general manager of Arlo Wynwood. Her previous experience was also in Miami, as general manager for Residences by Armani Casa.
Dorchester Collection, London, England, has appointed Lee Kelly as general manager of 45 Park Lane in London. Kelly joins the hotel from The Berkeley, London, where he was hotel manager for more than two years.
Raleigh, North Carolina-based Concord Hospitality Enterprises has announced a target opening of summer 2022 for the new AC Hotel Clearwater Beach, Florida, as well as Jeff Lidinsky as general manager and Christina Kipp as director of sales and marketing. Lidinsky currently oversees operations at Concord Hospitality’s Courtyard Clearwater Beach property and is adding the new role to his management responsibilities. Kipp joined the executive team from her most recent position as director of sales at the Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn Sarasota Bradenton Airport hotels, Florida.
Nanuku Resort, Pacific Harbour, Fiji, has made several appointments: Stu Luchs is the new North America sales manager, Misiwata Namali will be head chef, and Kelly-Dawn Bentley re-joins Nanuku in her new role as sustainability manager. Luchs has previously worked with firms including Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji and Ted Turner Expeditions, New Mexico. Namali began his career as chef de partie at Fiji’s Shangri-La Resort, honing his skills as a pastry chef and sous chef prior to attaining executive chef stature. Bentley holds a Bachelor of Science and Postgraduate Diploma in Marine Science from the University of the South Pacific.
Graton Resort and Casino, California, announced the appointment of Mario Maesano as vice president of marketing. Maesano most recently served as the senior vice president of marketing and slot operations at The Cordish Companies, Baltimore, Maryland.
The St. Regis New York appoints Octavia Marginean-Tahiroglu as general manager. Octavia has been a part of The St. Regis New York family for over seven years, having served as the hotel manager since 2015.
Hotel Equities, Atlanta, has named Lindsay Meadows director of procurement. Prior to joining HE, Meadows worked in both operations and finance for several notable management groups where she has been a part of hotel openings, process improvement, and the development and execution of streamlined procurement departments.
The Henderson Beach Resort & Spa, Destin, Florida, appointed Robert Morgan general manager. Morgan joins The Henderson from the Renaissance Charleston Historic District Hotel, where he served as the general manager for over two years.
HEI Hotels & Resorts, Norwalk, Connecticut, has hired Thomas Papelian as managing director of investments. Papelian joins HEI from Marriott International, where he as senior vice president at for the East Region of the United States.
The St. Regis Bermuda Resort, St. Georges, has appointed Leslie Prea as general manager. His most recent role was that of hotel manager of Aruba Marriott and Stellaris Casino.
Zemi Beach House, Shoal Bay East, Anguilla, has promoted Chef Emanuele Sabatini to executive chef of Zemi Beach House’s culinary team. Prior to accepting this position, Sabatini was Zemi’s sous chef. Additionally, they have announced that Eduard Balan is joining the bar team as their newest Rhummelier. Balan joins Zemi after his tenure as bar manager at D&D in London.
Prince Waikiki, Hawaii, has named Chef Jeremy Shigekane the 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar’s executive chef. Shigekane was previously chef-owner of M by Jeremy Shigekane (Hawaii), where he refined his skills in chef-driven, Hawaii-French cuisine.
Sahara Las Vegas has named Juan Villa executive chef. Previously, Villa worked at several properties in Las Vegas, including The Westin as the property’s executive chef, the SLS Las Vegas as executive sous chef and the Tropicana Las Vegas’s Beach Café as executive chef.
Danny Vorwerk has been appointed as the new general manager of the MAXX by Steigenberger Vienna, Austria. He is leaving his current role as general manager at the Steigenberger Hotel Berlin, Germany.