InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) appointed Julienne Smith senior vice president, development in the Americas region, based in IHG’s Americas headquarters in Atlanta.
Smith and her team will be responsible for increasing IHG’s presence in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean for new builds and conversions to the Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo and Even Hotels brands. She’ll also lead the transactions and asset management team, which aims to develop and strengthen IHG’s relationships with owners and their hotels.
Smith brings more than 17 years of development experience to IHG, previously holding leadership positions at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, including her most recent role as senior vice president, development and owner relations, where she primarily oversaw the growth of Hyatt’s select-service hotel brands while developing the company’s footprint through franchise and management contracts. Smith is active in several industry organizations, including the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Women in Lodging, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association and the Urban Land Institute. She also sits on the board of Chicago-based nonprofit Kaleidoscope.
Lone Star Court, by Valencia Hotel Group, named William Barba general manager of the retro-inspired hotel in Austin, Texas. Barba formerly was director of operations at Hotel Sorella in Houston.
Frank Caiafa is director of food and beverage at The Lexington Hotel, Autograph Collection, New York City, and beverage director of its cocktail bar, The Stayton Room. Caiafa was beverage director of Peacock Alley and La Chine restaurants at The Waldorf Astoria in New York City, where he worked from 2005 until the hotel’s recent closure for renovations.
Edgewood Tahoe in Stateline, Nevada, welcomed Siobhan Fajayan as director of marketing and sales. Fajayan arrived at the hotel with nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, serving as marketing director at both Hard Rock Hotel Casino Lake Tahoe, also in Stateline, and Sands Regency Hotel and Casino in Reno, Nevada.
Menin Hospitality appointed Robert Festinger vice president of hotel operations in conjunction with his current role as general manager of Mondrian South Beach in Miami. Previously, Festinger was general manager of YVE, a downtown Miami hotel owned by Host Hotels and Resorts.
Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Arizona, named Jim Foss director of outdoor adventures and activities. Prior to joining Enchantment Resort, Foss held leadership roles at six domestic and international arenas, including the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China, and Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection in Washington, Connecticut, named Lacey Lou Franklin executive chef. Franklin previously served as chef de cuisine and executive sous chef at Solbar at Solage, Auberge Resorts Collection in Calistoga, California.
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas appointed Michael Gaehler general manager of Six Senses Uluwatu, Bali in Bali, Indonesia. Gaehler recently was general manager of the Oriental Residences Bangkok in Bangkok, Thailand.
KSL Resorts promoted David Goldstein to vice president, investments and business development. Since 2013, Goldstein acted as KSL Resorts’ director of financial planning and analysis, and then was promoted to senior director of investments and business development in 2018.
The Thompson Chicago welcomed Tim Graham as executive chef, overseeing all culinary operations at the hotel, including its restaurant, Nico Osteria. Before joining the property, Graham was the executive chef and owner of his own concept in Chicago, Twain, which paid homage to Midwestern cuisine.
James Hewitson is cluster general manager of Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas and Anantara Vacation Club Phuket in Phuket, Thailand. Hewitson oversaw the pre-opening of Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara in Salalah, Oman.
Dallas-based Prism Hotels & Resorts hired Stefan Huber as area general manager for The Westin Stonebriar Hotel & Golf Club and Sheraton Stonebriar hotel in Frisco, Texas. Huber, who has more than 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, most recently was a consultant, specializing in executive transition leadership.
Plunge Beach Resort in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida, welcomed Joe Imbrogno as director of guest excellence. Imbrogno formerly was with Sonesta Hotels as guest experience ambassador.
The Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort in St. Augustine Beach, Florida, appointed Sandy Lewis director of food and beverage, and Charlie DeMartin beverage director. Lewis most recently owned her own hospitality consulting business and was consulting director for Capital Restaurant Resources, based in Washington, D.C. DeMartin had been partners and operations manager for Terra & Acqua restaurant in St. Augustine Beach.
The Tides Inn in Irvington, Virginia, appointed Alex Pasco executive chef. Pasco formerly was chef de cuisine at Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Arizona.
Unna Living named Joerg Roterberg group general manager of two resorts in St. Peter, Barbados — Saint Peter’s Bay Luxury Resort and Residences, and Port Ferdinand Yacht and Beach Club Residences. Roterberg joined the Unna Living team from Silversands Grenada, where he was opening general manager for the luxury St. George’s, Grenada hotel.
Kempinski Hotels appointed Roberto Simone general manager of Villa Rosa Kempinski in Nairobi, Kenya, and of Olare Mara Kempinski, the high-end tented camp in Masai Mara, Kenya. The Italian native most recently was chief operating officer of Tonino Lamborghini Hotels & Resorts, based in Shanghai, China.
Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya in Riviera Maya, Mexico, appointed Sylvia Smith director of sales and marketing. Smith most recently was director of sales and marketing at Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok in Bangkok, Thailand.
Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel in Chicago, welcomed Amy Verdon as restaurant and hospitality sales manager. Verdon worked at sister property in Chicago, The Drake, a Hilton Hotel, for more than 15 years.
Dream Hotel Group appointed Matthew Whiteheart general manager of Unscripted Durham in Durham, North Carolina. Whiteheart has almost 15 years of hospitality experience, including a decade serving in various senior management roles at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, North Carolina.
Loews Hotels & Co appointed Steve Younes executive vice president and chief human resources officer. Prior to Loews, he was senior vice president, human resources, at Ascension, the largest nonprofit health care company in the United States.