EXPOTEL HOSPITALITY’S NEW CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Ed Robison has joined the executive team of Expotel Hospitality, a full-service third-party hotel management company, to serve as the chief development officer.
Robison will play an essential role in the development of proactive business partnerships and drive the expansion of the company’s hospitality experience into new markets. He will provide general support and education for owners, assist in development and assist in development. Robison will lead expansion through strategic sales of hotel management agreements.
Robison will also lead Expotel’s strategy in increasing its strategic networking and relationship building through sales and business development. He previously served as senior vice president owner relations and development with HP Hotels. Prior to that, he was associated with Hilton for around 14 years as senior director, owner support for the Hilton Focused Service and All-Suites brands.
With more than 35 years of hospitality experience to include experience with Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Choice and Wyndham Hotels, Robison has held several property, regional and project roles across the business.
NEW GMs
JW Marriott St. Maarten Resort & Spa has appointed Todd Reichelt as its general manager. He will lead all operations and business strategy of the resort, which is set to open next month.
With 52 years of experience, Reichelt began his career in the hospitality industry as a dishwasher and gradually climbed up the ladder to become an executive chef, F&B manager and eventually a general manager in 1991. For 16 years, he has worked in several Marriott locations.
Sinem Kaya has been appointed as the general manager of Novotel Miami Brickell.
Kaya has previously worked in leadership positions in establishments, such as Conrad, Four Points by Sheraton, and W South Beach and has also been in charge of guest services at SLS South Beach and SLS Brickell. She also served as director of operations for SBE Global. Most recently, she served as complex general manager at SLA Brickell Miami and SLS LUX Brickell Miami.
Halekulani Corp. has promoted Davide Barnes to general manager of Halekulani Hotel. Barnes joined Halekulani Hotel as hotel manager in January 2023 and was in charge of daily operations and performance of the hotel.
In his new role, Barnes will continue to lead operational and support areas of the hotel and will also oversee and support the operations and performance of sister hotel, Halepuna Waikiki by Halekulani.
Santuario by La Fonda, the luxury residences presented by La Fonda Hospitality Group in Santa Fe, N.M., has announced Patrick Tolen as the new general manager.
Tolen earlier served as general manager at Kokopelli Property Management and has joined the Santuario by La Fonda team with more than 10 years of hospitality experience in Santa Fe. Prior to Kokopelli, Tolen held management positions at La Fonda on the Plaza and Bishop’s Lodge.
MORE MOVES
InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel has appointed Kristin Hankins as hotel manager. Hankins will manage daily operations and implement programming to enhance the guest experience.
Most recently, Hankins served as the director of sales and marketing at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, where she led the team to produce revenue increases during its post-COVID recovery.
Crossroads Hotel, the lifestyle property in Kansas City, Mo., has welcomed Emily Olsen as the director of lifestyle.
In her new position, Olsen handles the community-focused programming offered at the hotel and will spearhead new programming initiatives. Most recently, Olsen was the director of lifestyle at Jasper Hotel, a sister Aparium property in Fargo, N.D.
Thompson Atlanta-Buckhead, the urban lifestyle luxury hotel, has announced DeMarco McMillan as director of sales and marketing.
In the new position, McMillan manages the sales and operational teams, implements marketing strategies to boost revenue and collaborates with external partners to enhance guest experience. With more than 30 years of experience in managing sales and marketing strategies in major markets, McMillan previously served as the director of sales and marketing for Westin Washington, D.C. City Center and the director of sales and marketing for many hotels under the IHG/Service Trust Properties portfolio.