Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, San Francisco, California, has named Bryan Easter vice president of development planning, a role that sits at the intersection of the boutique hospitality company’s design, development and operations teams. He will be responsible for helping drive Kimpton’s growth by executing against the company’s global development plans.
Easter joins Kimpton with over 20 years of experience, starting his hospitality design career with Gensler and having most recently served in a senior role at Powerstrip Studio, Los Angeles, where he delivered award-winning hotels and restaurants.
“Having worked on several Kimpton properties over the years, I couldn’t be more excited to join the team,” Easter said. “I am looking forward to continuing the thoughtful delivery of curated projects that are centered around Kimpton’s guest experience and unique approach to design.”
21c Museum Hotel Chicago, Illinois, has welcomed photographer and entrepreneur Nigel Barker as its new creative director. Having opened his New York studio in 1996, Barker has appeared in, hosted and created various TV shows, in addition to his career in filmmaking.
Springboard Hospitality, Los Angeles, California, has hired three new executives across its corporate team: Scott Bogucki as corporate director of revenue management, Von DeLuna as vice president of operations, and Susy Suescun as regional director of sales and marketing. Most recently, Bogucki served as corporate director of revenue at Provenance Hotels and HRI Lodging. DeLuna was general manager of Kimpton Hotel Born in Denver. Suescun comes to Springboard Hospitality from Omni Hotels & Resorts.
Viceroy Riviera Maya, Mexico, has promoted Julio Cesar Chavez to lead its fine-dining restaurant, La Marea, as head chef. Chef Chavez was named “Cook of the Year, Zona Centro” in 2018.
Makeready has welcomed Ryan Cornelius as the senior sales manager for The Alida, Savannah, Georgia. He previously served as the assistant general manager of Delta Hotels by Marriott Chesapeake Norfolk, Virginia.
Slated to open this spring, AC Hotel Bozeman Downtown, Montana, has appointed Aimbridge’s Jason Cure general manager. Previously, he was the general manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Santa Ana – Orange County Airport, California. Additionally, Haley Rowland will function as the hotel’s director of sales. She most recently served as general manager of Buck’s T4 Lodging & Dining, Montana.
The Ritz-Carlton Resorts of Naples, Florida, has welcomed Mark Ferland as area general manager of both The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, and The Ritz-Carlton, Naples. Ferland previously served as market general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami, and The Ritz-Carlton, Coconut Grove, Miami.
The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami, and The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida, have made key appointments. Derek Flint has rejoined the Miami properties as market general manager. Most recently, he held the position of general manager at The St. Regis Beijing, China. Additionally, the properties have promoted Tatiana Lorato area director of marketing. She has managed marketing and public relations initiatives for both resorts for 12 years.
Gemma Fortier has been promoted from director of operations to general manager of Hotel Windrow, Ellensburg, Washington. She is stepping into the role as previous general manager, Matt Skaletsky, was promoted to area general manager within Columbia Hospitality.
Sandpiper Lodging Trust, Richmond, Virginia, has promoted Will Garson to vice president of acquisitions. Garson began with SLT in 2019 as an associate in the acquisitions group.
InterContinental SF Hotel, California, and fine dining restaurant Luce have hired Nicholas Greene as outlets manager and Todd Crain as director of operations. Greene has teamed up with the InterContinental SF following three years with Bacchus Management Group. Crain joins the property after his work with The Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, and Hotel Vitale in San Francisco.
Marcus Hotels & Resorts, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has promoted Skip Harless to managing director, tasked with overseeing Grand Geneva Resort & Spa and Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. He previously served as general manager of the Skirvin Hilton Hotel, Oklahoma City.
Patrick Howley has been selected as director of industry and alumni relations for the Penn State School of Hospitality Management, University Park, Pennsylvania. Howley arrives at Penn State after a decade managing several hotel properties, most recently as general manager of the Drury Plaza Hotel, Cleveland, Ohio.
Karin Kopano has been named managing director of Hard Rock Hotel New York, set to debut in April 2022. Kopano comes to Hard Rock Hotel New York from The Knickerbocker Hotel, New York City, where she held the same position.
Real estate development company HighSide Companies, Denver, Colorado, has hired Randy Kunert as vice president of project management. Most recently, Kunert was a project manager and estimator for Parkwest General Contracting, specializing in hospitality renovations.
InterContinental Washington, D.C. – The Wharf has appointed Chris Lee general manager. Lee joins the team from his previous role as general manager of the Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown, California.
Atrium Hospitality, Alpharetta, Georgia, has promoted two executives in the company’s commercial division focused on sales and revenue management. Gissell Moronta has been elevated from vice president, sales and marketing to senior vice president, sales and marketing; and Kristen Blattert from enterprise sales director to vice president, sales and marketing.
The Marriott Milwaukee Downtown and Westin Milwaukee Downtown, Wisconsin, have named new leaders. Ben Risseeuw has been appointed general manager of Milwaukee Marriott Downtown, after holding the same position at the Springhill Suites Milwaukee Downtown. Kyle Highberg has been named general manager of Westin Milwaukee Downtown, following his experience as a director of operations at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center. Joining the team from First Hospitality, Sadie Kealey has been appointed market director of sales and marketing for the combined properties: Marriott Milwaukee Downtown, Westin Milwaukee Downtown and Springhill Suites Milwaukee Downtown.
Obie Companies, Eugene, Oregon, has promoted Nicole Roselio to vice president of marketing and design. Roselio joined the Obie Companies hospitality team in 2014, and most recently oversaw multiple company properties as director of marketing.
Jon Sakshaug has taken the helm of Hotel Emma, San Antonio, Texas. A member of the property’s opening team in 2015, Sakshaug has been elevated from vice president of finance to general manager.
Jonathan Sanders has joined Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana, as the general manager of The Grill Room. With expansive background in beverage, Sanders has spent more than 17 years in the New Orleans culinary scene.
Sam Selvi and Charles Williams have been recruited to lead the new executive team at the Hyatt Centric Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Selvi led ARC Hotel, Washington, D.C. as general manager for seven months before assuming his position in Old Town Alexandria. Prior to joining the Hyatt Centric as director of sales and marketing, Williams was the director of global sales for the eastern region of the United States for the Rocco Forte Hotel Group, London, England.
Banyan Tree Krabi, Thailand, has added Dr. Subhash Shanbhag to its team as wellbeing practitioner / consultant. Dr. Shanbhag has extensive experience as an Ayurvedic doctor, counselor, and wellness specialist.
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, has appointed Jobin Thomas chef de cuisine of Bleuwater, one of the property’s dining outlets. Chef Thomas previously worked as restaurant chef at TOCA within The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, Canada.
Andaz West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, has named Julian Tucker general manager and Terrance Frederickdirector of sales, events, and marketing. Prior to joining Andaz West Hollywood, Tucker was the director of rooms at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, Bonita Springs, Florida. Frederick most recently served as director of group sales at Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, California.
Julian Wipper has been appointed general manager of New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel. Prior to that, Wipper was the general manager of JEN Singapore Orchardgateway by Shangri-La.