First Hospitality, Chicago, Illinois, has appointed Stacey Brown as chief human resources officer. With nearly 25 years of expertise, Brown brings an extensive background in human resources, labor and employment law, legal advocacy, and litigation. Prior to joining First Hospitality, Brown was the chief human resources officer for DB Schenker Americas, a global logistics provider and supply chain company with more than 11,000 employees in 24 countries.
“Stacey’s leadership will be an integral part in strengthening and accelerating our commitment to our people, ensuring that First Hospitality continues to be a sought-after employer of choice that cultivates employee satisfaction,” said David Duncan, president and CEO of First Hospitality. “A strategic, solutions-focused leader, Stacy’s agile talent acquisition and retention expertise is in perfect alignment with our forward-thinking national growth plan.”
An experienced lawyer, Brown began her career in labor and employment litigation. After spending several years inside of courtrooms, she left law firm life to become in-house counsel and a human resources leader. Brown has held leadership positions with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, The Albertson’s Companies (the parent company of Jewel-Osco, Safeway, and other grocery chains), and Walgreens.
Corporate Management
Crescent Hotels & Resorts, headquartered in Fairfax, Vancouver and Toronto, Canada, has appointed a new vice president of global sales: Kathleen Barone. Barone was most recently a senior account executive at Marriott International in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Evans Hotels, San Diego, California, has selected Will Cherashore as the new chief financial officer. Cherashore’s previous role was general manager of the group’s Bahia Resort.
Stonebridge Companies, Denver, Colorado, Steve Kakaty has joined the team as chief investment officer. Prior to joining Stonebridge, Kakaty worked at Rockwood Capital, New York.
CoralTree Hospitality, Denver, Colorado, has appointed Jim Phelan as director of analytics and business intelligence. Phelan worked at CoralTree as director of revenue strategy during the last two and a half years.
Aimbridge Hospitality, Plano, Texas, has hired Tim Pruiett as senior vice president of acquisitions and investments and Emily Gerstner as vice president, philanthropic partnerships and community outreach. Pruiett brings 12 years of experience with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Parsippany, New Jersey, in various finance and strategy roles. Most recently, Gerstner worked at the American Heart Association where she served as vice president of development leading the Go Red for Women movement in Dallas, Texas.
General Managers, Managing Directors
Kempinski Hotel Beijing Lufthansa Center, China, has welcomed Matthias Al-Amiry as the new managing director. Al-Amiry previously held the dual-role position of managing director of The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore and regional vice president Southeast Asia.
Evans Hotels, San Diego, California, has selected Jayne Aston as the new general manager of the Bahia Resort. Most recently, Aston was the director of operations for the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, Texas.
Laurent Boisdron has been named vice president and general manager of Lanson Place Mall of Asia, Manila, The Philippines. Boisdron was previously the general manager of Sable Navy Pier, Curio Collection by Hilton, Chicago, Illinois.
Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry, England, has named Hugh Boyd as general manager. Boyd joins from Wilson Vale, where he was general manager of catering at Aston University, Birmingham, England.
Serge Cuypers has been appointed as the new general manager of Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas, Phuket, Thailand, while Arnaud Béril joins Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort as the new resort manager in Chiang Rai (also in Thailand). Cuypers served as general manager of Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from 2021. Most recently, Béril was director of operations (executive assistant manager) with Avani+ Samui Resort and the newly opened Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel & Beach Club, also in Thailand.
Caribe Royale Orlando, Florida, has selected Phil Klinkenberg as hotel manager. He was previously director of food & beverage at Loews Hotels’ Universal’s Endless Summer Resort Surfside Inn & Suites, Orlando, Florida.
InterContinental New York Times Square has hired Jeffrey Krauthamer as the new general manager. Krauthamer most recently served as hotel manager at InterContinental New York Barclay.
Beaver Run Resort, Breckenridge, Colorado, has appointed long-time Assistant General Manager Chris Pappas as the property’s general manager with the additional title of president of Beaver Run Rental Holdings.
The new Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Nashville, Tennessee, has appointed Bradley Russell hotel manager and Chauntel Brown as assistant director of rooms. Russell’s tenure with Four Seasons spans 16 years and five properties. Brown joined the pre-opening team of Four Seasons Hotel Nashville after her career with the Hyatt brand, including stints with Hyatt House Nashville Downtown SoBro and Grand Hyatt Nashville.
Operations
Matthew Culle has joined Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry, England, as operations manager. Cullen spent two years working for the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia managing a royal property.
Food & Beverage
Epicurean Hotel, South Tampa, has announced the return of Jon Atanacio as executive chef. Atanacio was most recently culinary director at Bern’s Steak House in Tampa.
Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, Hawaii, has named Ritchard Cariaga as its new executive chef. Most recently, Cariaga worked as executive chef and director of food and beverage at Miraval Arizona Resort and Spa, Tucson, Arizona, as well as director of culinary and food and beverage operations at Carmel Valley Ranch, Carmel-By-The-Sea, California.
The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker in Lincoln, Nebraska, appointed Otis Dickerson as its new executive chef. Most recently, he served as dual property executive chef at Arrowwood Resort at Cedar Shore and Al’s Oasis Restaurant in Oacoma, South Dakota.
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, California, has chosen Chef Peleg Miron as executive chef. Most recently, Miron served as executive chef at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea’s Spago restaurant since 2016.
Radisson Blu Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota, has promoted Shelby Sisler to director of catering and convention services. Sisler has been with the Radisson Blu Mall of America team for almost three years since she joined as the hotel’s event manager.
Sales & Marketing
Kelly Catherine has joined Hyatt Centric Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, as director of sales and marketing. Catherine’s experience spans over Hilton, Marriott, Legacy Starwood, Choice, Hyatt and independently branded products.
Jolinda Cohavi has been named senior director of marketing and Chanel Lewis as event sales manager at Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Nashville, Tennessee. Cohavi’s hospitality career has spanned more than three decades, being an integral part of Four Seasons since 2004, in properties in Atlanta, Dallas, Vail and Denver. Lewis joined Four Seasons as catering sales manager for Four Seasons Hotel Boston in 2021.
Dawna Naylor has been appointed as director of sales and marketing at InterContinental New York Times Square. Most recently, Naylor was an area sales leader for Marriott International.
Spa and Wellness
Westin Dallas Stonebriar Golf Resort & Spa, Frisco, Texas, has named Jennie Strahan director of activities. Most recently, Strahan led wellness activities and event program management for Alliance Data, Plano, Texas.