BRITTAIN RESORTS NAMES CDO
Brittain Resorts & Hotels (BRH), the full-service hospitality management company in the Southeast, has appointed Brittney Jones as chief development officer. Jones will be in charge of the expansion of BRH’s portfolio through third-party management contracts, leveraging her experience in business development and sales and industry relationships.
Most recently, Jones was the vice president of strategic partnerships with Raines Company. Prior to assuming a position in development, she served as vice president of sales, marketing and revenue management.
“With a decade of hospitality expertise in multiple arenas, Brittney Jones is a welcome addition to our executive team,” said Matthew Brittain, CEO of BRH. “Her track record in strategic partnership and approach to business development are exactly what we need as we continue to expand our portfolio.”
RON FADER’S NEW ROLE AT HVMG
Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG), the third-party hotel operator and investor, has welcomed Ron Fader as senior vice president, finance and accounting. Fader will oversee daily financial accounting, financial reporting, cash flow planning and management activities, while supporting the accounting and financial team to aid future growth.
With around 35 years of financial experience, Fader most recently served as senior vice president of finance and accounting with Atrium Hospitality. Prior to that, he was a partner and vice president of finance, hotels & restaurants, of Legacy Ventures and held similar leadership positions with IHG and Hilton.
“Ron has a proven track-record of cultivating service-driven teams that are oriented toward performance and committed to the practice of continuous improvement while supporting the properties’ and management company’s financial goals,” said Linda Philp, CPA, senior vice president and CFO, HVMG. “Ron prides himself on creating a strong culture of accountability and continued learning for both his team and those around him, making him the perfect fit for HVMG.”
APPOINTMENTS AT SAN JUAN MARRIOTT RESORT & STELLARIS CASINO
The San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino has announced the following appointments to its leadership team:
- Mariano Formariz was appointed as general manager. With a career spanning more than 25 years, Formariz will oversee the property’s daily operations and elevate the visitor experience, including staff management and deployment, strategic planning, budgeting and sales and marketing for the resort.
- Javier Escola has been named the director of food & beverage. With a strong focus on customer satisfaction and operational efficiency, Escola most recently served as director of food & beverage in a hotel in Qatar.
- Romeo Penacino has been appointed as executive chef. He brings more than 20 years of culinary experience and has worked in establishments, including the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort and Aruba Marriott Complex.
NEW GMs
Minor Hotels has appointed Syahreza Ishwara as general manager of the newly opened Anantara Koh Yao Yai Resort & Villas near Phuket, Thailand.
Ishwara began his journey with Minor Hotels in 2014 at the Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, where he played a key role in developing the hotel and strengthening its position in the region.
The Pontchartrain Hotel has named Matthew Iacobucci as its new general manager. Iacobucci has worked with several brands in the U.S. and held positions throughout the front of house, from director food & beverage to director of operations.
Iacobucci joins from Surety Hotel in Des Moines, Iowa, a sister property in the Aparium Hotels portfolio, where he served as hotel manager. Prior to that, he served as director food & beverage at Morgans Hotel Group in Miami Beach, Fla.; Viceroy in Snowmass, Colo.; and Virgin Hotels in Nashville, Tenn.
OTHER MOVES
Pendry Chicago has named Simon Firmin has director of sales and marketing. He will lead the implementation of strategies to generate business from meetings, events and leisure clients, while driving growth and greater awareness.
Firmin brings 16 years of experience to his new position. Most recently, he served as director of sales and marketing for the Beemok Hospitality Collection. He also held leadership positions as regional director of marketing for the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago and The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago and went on to become the area director of hotel marketing for Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Americas.
Montage Deer Valley has welcomed Gretchen Walker as director of sales and marketing. With more than 30 years of experience in luxury hospitality, she will helm Montage Deer Valley’s overall revenue and yield strategies, while overseeing implementation and results.
Walker joins Montage Deer Valley from The Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Santa Barbara, Calif. Prior to that, she served as the director of sales and marketing at Hotel Talisa in Vail, Colo.