AMANDA CHIVERS NAMED PRESIDENT OF AHA
The Atlanta Hospitality Alliance (AHA), the peer-to-peer learning and networking organization for current and future hospitality investment leaders in Atlanta, announced its 2023 Board of Directors, with Amanda Chivers as president.
“Having spent nearly two decades in the Atlanta hospitality industry, Amanda will add her unique perspective to the role of AHA president,” said Paul Breslin, AHA public relations chair and managing director at Horwath HTL Atlanta – USA. “Her local roots run deep, having worked with such Big Peach stalwarts as HVMG, Trimont Real Estate Advisors and the locally based Marcus & Millichap’s national hospitality group. Amanda’s current role at Crown Hospitality Consulting lends itself perfectly for her to take the helm at AHA, and we look forward to her leadership in the coming year.”
With more than 16 years of industry experience, Chivers, ISHC, CCIM, is the managing principal of Crown Hospitality Consulting, an Atlanta-based firm specializing in hotel asset management, construction and loan administration, operational review and distressed asset turnaround in the upscale and luxury hotel sectors. She has overseen more than $1 billion in transactions representing virtually all the major hotel brands. Chivers also oversees construction loan servicing of new-build development and conversion projects for several clients.
AHA also named the following Board Members:
- Colin Mcdonald, vice president of operations – IHG, President Elect
- Will Woodworth, vice president of investments – Peachtree Hotel Group, Treasurer
- James Savier, vice president – CBRE, Secretary
NEW COO AT VISION HOSPITALITY GROUP
Vision Hospitality Group, a hotel developer and culture-focused operator, has appointed Patrick O’Neil as chief operating officer (COO). O’Neil will provide strategic, process and cultural leadership for the company’s 1200+ associates across a current portfolio of 42 hotels.
O’Neil was most recently president of asset management and president of Peachtree Hospitality Management at Peachtree Hotel Group. During his tenure, the Peachtree-owned Real Estate portfolio grew from 23 hotels to 90 properties over six years. O’Neil has worked in hotels and above property throughout his career, starting his own brand and working for a small boutique hospitality organization as well as huge private equity firms.
MORE MOVES
Oetker Collection has named its long-serving employee Jens Hackebeil as chief financial officer, effective April 1st. The appointment also marks Hackebeil becoming a member of the company’s Executive Committee.
A German native, Hackebeil commenced his career at Oetker Collection in 2011, where he held several senior finance roles on property and corporate levels. Since 2020, Hackebeil has held the role of vice president finance, overseeing all finance-related matters of the organization. Within this position, he has also acted as the compliance officer of the group, offered leadership to all finance divisions, evaluated development opportunities and led hotel management negotiation, among other tasks.
Legacy Green Bay, LLC has named Sue Engler as general manager of the Legacy Hotel, a boutique luxury property located in Green Bay set to debut in September 2023 in Green Bay’s Legends District, one block from Lambeau Field. The hotel will feature 100 suites, a farm-to-table brasserie, a lobby bar, a barista café, a rooftop bar & terrace, a luxury spa, an atrium for social/group events and much more.
Engler has been the general manager of the Blue Harbor Resort & Conference Center in Sheboygan, WI, for eight years, having previously served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing in 2016. She came to Green Bay with 22 years of hospitality expertise: she worked as Director of Sales for the 2004 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in 2001 and as sales executive for Destination Kohler & Destination St. Andrews in 2011.
Kimpton Gray Hotel has appointed Lisa Ares as general manager, who will oversee the downtown Chicago hotel guest experience and hotel team while engaging with the surrounding community. Ares arrives at Kimpton Gray Hotel with over 22 years of experience working in hotels: she started as general manager at Crowne Plaza Milwaukee West in 2019. The following year, she was general manager at Sonesta Milwaukee West; in 2021, she served as general manager at Sonesta Denver Downtown. Most recently, she served as hotel manager at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile in 2022.