Pacifica Hotels, the largest owner and operator of independent, design-inspired hotels along the Pacific Coast, named Alexandra Gaffan senior vice president of people and culture and Erin Smith to vice president of sales. “We are excited to appoint two exceptional team members who have both been an integral part of Pacifica Hotels and shaping it into what it is today,” shared Matt Marquis, CEO of Pacifica Hotels.
Gaffan has more than 25 years of hands-on experience in the hospitality industry and has been with Pacifica Hotels since 1995. She spent the first part of her career in operations and worked her way up to general manager of multiple Pacifica properties. She then joined the home office team as an area manager and continued on a path to director of sales and training, director of training and development.
Prior to joining the team, Smith worked as the regional vice president of sales and marketing at Dimension Development, Atrium Hospitality, and Sage Hospitality.
Gulph Creek Hotels, a Pennsylvania-based hotel management and development group, has named Javier Bujanda as regional vice president of operations. Most recently, Bujanda was vice president of operations for the Central-Eastern region at Hostelling International USA, Maryland.
Champlin’s Marina & Resort, Bock Island, Rhode Island, appointed Elizabeth Connor as general manager. Prior to this, Connor spent 31 years at Block Island Resorts, starting at an entry level position and working her way up to general manager.
Kimpton announced three new hires. Sezer Deniz is the new executive chef at Kimpton EPIC Hotel’s Area 31 restaurant in Miami. Vance Roderick is the new general manager of food & beverage at Portland’s King Tide Fish & Shell located at the Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel, Portland, Oregon. Claudia Bowers is the new director of sales and marketing for Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel.
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront and Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa, both in Florida, announce Brittany Doyle as their new regional marketing manager. Doyle comes to these properties with several years of experience with the Hyatt Corp.
Woodside Hotel Group chose William Elkington as the new director of sales and marketing of Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, California. Elkington has been the hotel’s director of group sales since 2018.
Park Hyatt St. Kitts appointed Richard Elliott as general manager. Most recently, Elliott was the general manager of the Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach, Hawaii.
Omni La Mansión del Rio and Mokara Hotel & Spa, San Antonio, Texas, have named Chef Andres Farias as their new executive chef. With nearly two decades of experience, Chef Farias has worked in the hospitality industry at many hotels and restaurants, including Trump Hotels, Starwood Hotels, Marriott International, InterContinental Hotels, and luxury restaurants in Caracas, Venezuela.
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has appointed Ronny Fernández as the inaugural resort manager of Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, Mexico. Fernández was the resort manager of Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica.
Rosewood Bermuda, has appointed Dieon Fowles as its talent and culture development specialist. Most recently she was leading manager at the Four Seasons Nevis.
Garden of the Gods Resort and Club, Colorado Springs, has named Tania McCorkle director of wellness for its STRATA Integrated Wellness and Spa. McCorkle was promoted from director of spa and fitness.
Mexico City-based Horwath HTL announced that Michel Montant has joined the group as managing director for Mexico. Montant joins after nearly 30 years in hospitality at Grupo Posadas, serving as both vice president of operations and corporate vice president of development.
Anantara has appointed Pitak ‘Chin’ Norathepkitti as general manager of its Chiang Mai Resort, Thailand. Norathepkitti joins Anantara Chiang Mai from Siem Reap in Cambodia where he oversaw Anantara Angkor Resort for the last two years.
New York-based Remote Lands announced a series of promotions to its executive team. Melisa Novick has been appointed vice president of business strategy, while Jacob Roy assumes the title of director of travel and planning. Molly Perkins takes the helm as travel operations and training manager, and Lydia Smith has been named private jet expeditions manager. Novick is a long-term executive of Remote Lands. Prior to this promotion, Roy was luxury account manager at Remote Lands. Most recently, Perkins worked as special projects manager and assistant to the general manager. Smith began her career with Remote Lands as a luxury account manager.
The soon-to-open Rancho Pescadero has named its general manager, Marcel Stittner. Stittner joins the team from Tabacón Thermal Resort and Spa in Costa Rica.
Congress Hall, Cape May, New Jersey, has chosen a new executive chef for the Blue Pig Tavern. Chef Matthias Woernlein joins Congress Hall after his experience in Colorado’s Ball Arena, Gaylord Resorts and Fontainebleau.