FIRST HOSPITALITY APPOINTS COO
First Hospitality has appointed Jason Kreul as its chief operating officer. Kreul has around three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, including key leadership positions in operations, along with expertise in full-service, lifestyle and independent hotels.
He will lead operations, commercial strategy and the people & talent groups and play a crucial role in growing First Hospitality’s portfolio. Kreul will report to President & CEO David Duncan.
Before joining First Hospitality, Kreul served in executive roles at Highgate, most recently as the president — central U.S. and west coast units. Prior to this, he held leadership roles at White Lodging Services and Winegardener & Hammons. He serves on multiple advisory and board roles at hotel brands and industry organizations.
“Jason’s leadership and broad expertise across full-service, lifestyle and premium select service will play an integral part in further accelerating the growth of our hotel and restaurant and bar portfolio,” said Duncan. “Jason’s focus will be on operational excellence across our portfolio and be a key partner to our ownership relationships. His experience and approach will continue to emphasize a thriving and collaborative workplace culture while delivering superior results.”
JUMEIRAH’S NEW CHIEF BRAND OFFICER
Jumeirah Group has appointed Michael Grieve as chief brand officer. Slated to join Jumeirah in April, he will lead the brand’s evolution, as part of its Mission 2030 strategy.
Grieve earlier served as vice president brand and client for Gucci in Milan. In his 16-year career, he has also worked with BMW Group, Adidas and Nike. He will play an important role in transforming Jumeirah’s brand, building a robust value proposition and experiential offering to secure Jumeirah’s position as a globally recognized hospitality group.
“As part of our Mission 2030 strategic plan, we are building on rich origins to shape a new brand expression of ultra-luxury hospitality that will enable our growth in key destinations around the world. As our new chief brand officer, Michael is integral to that journey and brings an outstanding brand-building pedigree with a luxury network that will help enable our transition from a regional success story to a global brand with international reach,” said Thomas Meier, interim chief executive officer of Jumeirah.
APPOINTMENTS AT MONTAGE INTERNATIONAL, OTH
Montage International has welcomed Peter Chambers as its executive vice president, chief information officer. With over 30 years of experience in building and managing teams globally, Chambers will be in charge of and execute the company’s technology strategy, which includes corporate office operations and expanding portfolios of Montage Hotels & Resorts and Pendry Hotels & Resorts.
Prior joining Montage International, Chambers served as global president of Deployed Technologies. He also served as chief executive officer of Location Logic and before that, was the chief information officer for sbe in Miami.
OTH Hotels Resorts has announced the appointment of James Hansen as the company’s new chief development officer. With around 25 years of executive-level leadership experience, Hansen will work directly with OTH’s CEO Todd Felsen to fuel the company’s growth plans and long-term domestic and international expansion strategy.
Prior to his role at OTH, Hansen served as executive vice President of Business Development for Hotel Equities. Before that, he was the vice president, sales & marketing and asset manager for Florida-based Kolter Hospitality.
MANDARIN ORIENTAL’S NEW SENIOR VP, BRAND
Mandarin Oriental has appointed Alex Schellenberger as senior vice president, brand to support the luxury hospitality brand’s strategic vision to elevate its brand presence and increase its desirability.
With more than 20 years of experience in global luxury brand building, storytelling and brand experience roles, Schellenberger will be joining the Group Leadership Team. Most recently, he served as the global chief marketing officer for Accor.
JAMELIA LEHN JOINS SPIRE HOSPITALITY
Jamelia Lehn, CPA has joined Spire Hospitality as the third-party management company’s new chief financial officer. She will oversee all matters related to financial management and will play a significant role in developing operating efficiencies, responding to owner and investor needs, maximizing results and supporting new business development and company growth.
With 20 years of leadership experience in real estate accounting and property management to the CFO role, Lehn’s areas of knowledge include team development, process improvement, scalability, and financial management. Prior to joining Spire Hospitality, she served as the CFO for Rootes Management Group.
NEW GMs
Bobby Hotels has appointed Tony Phillips as the general manager of Bobby Nashville. Phillips brings more than 25 years of experience in hotel management to lead the 144-key downtown hotel.
Before joining Bobby Nashville, Phillips spent a significant tenure at Loews Hotels, where he was engaged in top leadership roles. He joined Nashville in 2008 as the director of rooms at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel and went on to earning promotions to director of operations in 2012 and general manager in 2013.
Diego Di Gaetano has been appointed as general manager of PPHE Hotel Group’s arto’otel Rome Piazza Sallustio.
With more than two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Di Gaetano brings in sector-specific knowledge. He has previously worked within the Leading Hotels of the World and Design Hotels collections.
Lodge at Marconi in Northern California’s Tomales Bay has welcomed Patrick Stanley as general manager. Stanley will oversee strategic and daily operations at the 62-acre property, including on-site excursion management, sales and marketing, team member engagement, and the overall guest experience.
With more than two decades of experience in management across the region, Stanley served as an educator at the University of California. Earlier, he held the role of director of operations at Alliance Redwoods Conference Grounds. Additionally, Stanley held the roles of district manager for H&R Block and regional sales manager with Masco/Home Depot.
James Reist has been appointed as general manager of Hotel Viata, located in West Lake Hills, Texas. Reist will be responsible for all aspects of the hotel’s operations, focusing on maintaining the top standards of service and hospitality.
Reist has more than 20 years of experience in hotel and luxury condominium high-rise management. He started his career in 1990 with key roles at Hilton-managed properties and served as general manager at Embassy Suites Austin Central in 2017. Between 2017 to 2021, he served as general manager at Doubletree Suites by Hilton in Austin. Most recently, he served as task force general manager for Strategic Solutions Partners.
MORE MOVES
Hotel Simone, an MMI Hotel Group property, has appointed Virginia Hall as the new operations manager.
With experience in the hospitality industry along the Georgia and South Carolina coastline, Hall will be in charge of the 24-key boutique hotel’s daily operations.