KEY APPOINTMENTS AT MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL
Marriott International has announced the appointment of three leaders to key B2B customer-facing positions within the company.
Shannon Patterson has been named senior vice president, global sales. Since joining Marriott in 1996, she has led numerous transformative initiatives across brand, marketing, sales and consumer services, and more. Previously, Patterson served as SVP for global growth and delivery. She replaces Tammy Routh, who has moved into a new role as commercial performance leader for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
Andy Kauffman has been appointed chief commercial officer, U.S. and Canada. He returns to Marriott International from the National Football League, where he served as senior vice president of marketing strategy and science since 2021. Kauffman replaces Julius Robinson, formerly the chief sales and marketing officer, U.S. and Canada, who has moved into a new role as chief operations officer, U.S. West.
Gail Frazer has taken on the role of senior vice president, sales and distribution for the U.S. and Canada. Her property knowledge and global customer expertise have been instrumental in her previous roles, including her most recent position as managing vice president of sales and distribution for the U.S. eastern region, premium and luxury hotels. Frazer replaces Brian Gilligan, who has moved into a new role as regional vice president, premium brands, northeast.
NEW TEAM MEMBERS AT WALL STREET HOTEL
The Wall Street Hotel has announced the appointment of Prince A. Sanders as general manager and Harrison Lipner as director of sales and marketing.
Sanders will oversee all aspects of hotel operations, ensuring the highest standards of service, guest satisfaction and financial performance. With a career at properties, including The Ritz-Carlton New York, Park Lane New York, Trump International Hotel & Tower New York and The Bellevue Hotel Philadelphia, Prince has led multimillion-dollar renovations, managed Michelin-starred restaurant partners and developed guest experiences catering to modern luxury travelers.
Lipner will spearhead innovative sales and marketing strategies to enhance the hotel’s market presence. Harrison brings experience in luxury hospitality sales, having held leadership roles at The New York EDITION, Lotte New York Palace and Trump SoHo. His expertise in driving revenue growth, cultivating key partnerships and implementing strategic marketing initiatives will play a crucial role in the success of The Wall Street Hotel.
(Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills).
MORE MOVES
Edwardian Hotels London announced that Declan Lott has rejoined the company as vice president of sales for North America. Lott previously worked with Edwardian Hotels for over 30 years and played a key role in solidifying the company’s position in the North American market.Â
Lott will oversee the luxury business-to-business programs for Edwardian Hotels London as well as entertainment-focused partnerships. He is part of Edwardian Hotels’ effort to expand its sales presence in North American markets.
Atlantis Paradise Island has promoted Richie Kavanagh to vice president and general manager of The Reef Residences. Kavanagh has been with the Bahamas resort for over three years, starting as the assistant general manager for The Cove and The Reef Residences. In his new role, Kavanagh will oversee various aspects of The Reef Residences’ operations, providing strategic leadership and guidance for all areas of the division.
Kavanagh has nearly two decades of experience in the luxury hospitality and tourism industry, having held leadership positions at several hotels, resorts and casinos in Las Vegas, including The Venetian, Luxor and MGM Grand.Â
Caribe Royale Orlando Resort has appointed Bryan Gay as its new director of sales and marketing. Gay will oversee the development of the resort’s next-generation sales strategy to maximize revenue, attract new guests and boost occupancy rates for both Caribe Royale Orlando and its sister property, Buena Vista Suites.
Gay will leverage his expertise to drive Caribe Royale Orlando’s growth, focusing on differentiating the resort in Orlando’s competitive market and strengthening relationships with new and existing clients following its $140 million reimagination. Prior to joining Caribe Royale Orlando, Gay served as commercial vice president at Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria resort in Maui.
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas has appointed Zsuzsa Nagy as hotel manager. In her new role, Nagy will work closely with general manager Laura Jarvinen to focus on enhancing operational excellence, introducing elevated programming and embedding local Caribbean influences throughout the guest experience.
Originally from Hungary, Nagy began her hospitality career as a resident services supervisor in Budapest, advancing through front-of-house roles before rising to assistant general manager and later general manager in the greater Atlanta area.
NEW GMs
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills has named Tod Chambers as its new general manager. Bringing over three decades of experience, Chambers will oversee all aspects of hotel operations at the property.
Prior to his new role, he served as general manager of The Roosevelt Hotel – A Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New Orleans. He was recognized five times as Hilton’s Luxury Division’s general manager of the year.
Terra Palm Springs has appointed Kurt Englund as general manager. With a career spanning luxury and boutique properties across North America and Central America, Englund has worked with industry giants as well as several independent properties.
An instrumental figure in the opening of ARRIVE Palm Springs and Colony Palms Hotel, where he served as general manager, Terra Palm Springs is not Englund’s first foray into the Coachella Valley.
The Wilde Resort & Spa has appointed Tobby Rau as general manager. With more than three decades of hospitality leadership experience, Rau brings expertise in resort operations, food and beverage and property-wide transformations.
Rau joins The Wilde Resort & Spa from Poco Diablo Resort in Sedona, where he served as general manager. His career includes serving as resort manager and acting general manager at L’Auberge de Sedona.
Cheval Collection has welcomed Ian James as general manager for two of its London properties — Cheval Gloucester Park and Lexham Gardens by Cheval Maison.
James joins from The Fellows House, Curio Collection by Hilton and the University Arms Hotel, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection in Cambridge, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing both the guest journey and team dynamics. He also worked across a number of properties in the Hilton portfolio in the U.K. over 10 years.
Nathan Hanner has joined Timbri Hotel San Francisco as general manager. He will lead daily operations, fostering employee engagement and curating guest experience.
Hanner began his career with Two Roads Hospitality as F&B manager at The Town & Country Resort San Diego before climbing the ranks to senior F&B manager. Hanner then spent three years as assistant general manager with Pyramid Hotel Group, before serving as general manager at The Westin Las Vegas Hotel & Spa. Prior to Timbri, Hanner was the general manager of Monterey Beach Hotel.