NEW ROLES FOR SOME IHG’S LEADERS
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has announced that Jolyon Bulley, IHG Hotels & Resorts CEO – Americas, has been appointed to its executive committee. AHLA’s executive committee includes leaders representing all segments of the hospitality industry and their insight guides its policy agenda.
“Jolyon is a proven hospitality leader and lifelong hotelier,” said AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers.“The wealth of management, global, and operations expertise he brings to the table will be a tremendous asset for our executive committee and AHLA’s more than 30,000 members.”
Bulley has held several roles in IHG, including CEO for Greater China for over five years, COO for the Americas from 2014 to 2017 and COO for Greater China for almost four years. Bulley joined IHG in 2001 as director of operations in New South Wales, Australia.
InterContinental David Tel Aviv has announced the appointment of Franco Vella as general manager. Vella brings nearly 30 years of hospitality experience to the property, including 11 years at IHG Hotels & Resorts, general manager of Marriott International’s Sheraton Tel Aviv, general manager of Le Meridien St. Julians (now Malta Marriott Hotel & Spa) in his home country of Malta, group general manager of IHG’s UK hotels within the Geminex Hotel & Leisure Group and General Manager of 706 room Kensington Close Hotel (now Holiday Inn Kensington) in London, amongst others.
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown has appointed Sven Wiedenhaupt as general manager, who began his tenure at the property in June. Wiedenhaupt brings over 40 years of experience to the hotel.
Before his new appointment at InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, Wiedenhaupt served as the general manager of the Indian Wells Golf Resort, Troon. His experience expands upon international and domestic roles, holding leadership positions at several hospitality groups, including Four Seasons, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, The Estate Yountville and Marcus Hotels & Resorts.
His career began as a kitchen porter responsible for washing pots and pans at the Leather Bottle in Mattingley, Hampshire, before becoming a fry cook at the local train station in Hook, Hampshire. After a few years, he ultimately landed his first role as director of food and beverage at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York City.
MORE MOVES
W Punta de Mita, a beachfront resort on the shores of Riviera Nayarit, has appointed Oscar Gonzalez Ibarra as general manager. Gonzalez Ibarra began his career in his hometown of Mexico City at the J.W. Marriott Hotel. Throughout his 26-year tenure, he has held numerous leadership positions across various hotels and Marriott-branded properties. He has worked in diverse locations, including but not limited to Panama, London, Aruba, Honduras and Mexico. Before joining W Punta de Mita, Gonzalez served as COO in a private real estate company, overseeing seven hotels under the Hilton and Hyatt umbrellas.
Edwin Torres has been named the general manager of OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali Beach Resort, with a dedicated focus on supporting OUTRIGGER hosts, their families and the local community in the aftermath of the Lahaina wildfires. Located on the golden sands of Kā‘anapali Beach, Maui, OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group finalized the acquisition of the hotel on July 26, 2023.
Torres has been the complex general manager of OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel and OHANA Waikiki East by OUTRIGGER since February of this year. Before that, he was general manager of OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel since 2021. His career with the company began as food and beverage director at the OUTRIGGER Guam Beach Resort. His industry experience includes being director of event operations for the Grand Hotel Marriott in Point Clear, Alabama and food & beverage director at W Retreat & Spa Vieques Island, Puerto Rico and at Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina in the British Virgin Islands.
Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a hotel owner, management company and division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), has appointed Tiffany Leadbetter Donato as its first chief investment officer. Donato brings over 25 years of experience; the majority of her career has been with Hyatt Hotels Corporation and its subsidiaries, where she most recently served as senior vice president of capital strategy and real estate.