MEWS WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT
Mews, a provider of cloud-based property management software, has welcomed Michael Coscetta as president. Coscetta brings in years of experience from leading hospitality and fintech businesses.
In his most recent position, he served as the chief revenue officer at Paxos, a regulated blockchain infrastructure company. Prior to that, he served as COO and strategy officer at real estate tech company, Compass.
“From our first conversations with Michael, it was clear that he likes a serious challenge, and that he is the perfect fit for Mews at our next stage of growth,” said Matt Welle, Mews CEO. “Michael’s experience in scaling businesses, including teams and revenues, will be invaluable as we continue to accelerate the adoption of cloud technology in hospitality and beyond.”
VIRGIN HOTELS COLLECTION CREATES NEW APPOINTMENTS
Virgin Hotels Collection has added two new appointments in its leadership team:
- Johanna Kent as chief people officer. Kent brings in more than 27 years of experience in talent acquisition, leadership development and fostering inclusive workplace cultures. In her most recent role at Virgin Orbit, she led the people and culture team.
- Leo Rotshteyn as global head of revenue management and distribution. With more than three decades of experience, Rotshteyn joins from Preferred Hotels & Resorts, where he managed a portfolio of more than 50 hotels.
BRYAN TERZI JOINS AUTOCAMP
AutoCamp, the outdoor hospitality brand, has appointed Bryan Terzi as its chief marketing officer. Transitioning from a career mostly focused on urban corporate brands, Terzi will be directing his experience towards championing wellness and advocating the benefits of outdoor travel. Terzi will be leading the ongoing expansion of AutoCamp and enhancing the outdoor hospitality experience.
He brings in more than two decades of experience in global marketing and most recently served as group vice president of marketing at Sage Hospitality. During his tenure there, he launched 12 new hotels, repositioned three existing restaurants, led the creation of a CRM program and established the Sage corporate marketing team as a key part of the business.
Prior to Sage, Terzi served as vice president of marketing at Relevant Group and has also served at Sydell Group, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, MGM, Thompson Hotels and sbe Entertainment.
KATHARINE AMES’ NEW ROLE AT INDIGO ROAD
The Indigo Road Hospitality Group has named Katharine Ames as chief marketing officer. In the newly created position, she will continue to spearhead marketing efforts across the company’s portfolio, including internal communications, public relations, programming and branding, partnerships and social media.
Prior to this, Ames served as director of marketing since she joined the company in 2021. She will continue to helm an internal team of marketing directors, managers, and coordinators and oversee several agency partners. She will continue to report directly to Indigo Road Founder and Chief Vision Officer Steve Palmer.
Before joining Indigo Road, Ames spent eight years at a boutique lifestyle agency, rising up the ranks from an entry-level public relations coordinator to a vice president of public relations.
ROYAL LAHAINA RESORT EXPANDS LEADERSHIP TEAM
Highgate has expanded its leadership team at Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows and announced the following additions to its team:
- Edward C. Braunlich as managing director. Bringing almost 40 years of domestic and international hotel and resort experience to his new role, Braunlich will oversee all operations for the resort.
- Yvette Kitagawa as hotel manager. Devoting 27 years of her career to leading operations from the front desk, room reservations, sales and complex area director of rooms, Kitagawa is the third member of her family to serve the Royal Lahaina Resort, following her father and grandmother.
- MaryAnn Blanchard as director of sales. Bringing more than 25 years of hospitality leadership experience, Blanchard joins the resort from Montage Kapalua Bay, where she served as director of meetings and events.Â
NEW GMs
Capella Hotel Group has announced two new general manager appointments to lead the brand’s entry into Japan, with Capella Kyoto and Patina Osaka:
- John Blanco has been appointed as cluster general manager for both the hotels. Most recently, Blanco served as the general manager of Capella Bangkok and previously served at The Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and independent hotels around the world.
- Ellen Franke has been named the general manager of Patina Osaka. Bringing in more than 25 years of experience leading luxury hotels in Europe, the U.S., China and Malaysia, Franke joins from The Ritz-Carlton, where she worked for the group since 2006.
Judd Rabbidge has been appointed as general manager of Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort. This is his first general manager posting.
Most recently, he served as the hotel manager at W Sydney, overseeing the pre-opening phase of the world’s largest W Hotel. Rabbidge served as director of sales and marketing at W Bali – Seminyak from 2018 to 2022.
Hawaii Vacation Condos by Outrigger has welcomed Sootaga “So’o” Tana as general manager of the Regency on Beachwalk Waikiki by Outrigger, Waikiki Shore by Outrigger and AOAO of Regency on Beachwalk.
Tana will oversee the daily operations of the boutique-style condominium resorts, engage with boards of directors, move ahead strategic enhancement projects for Regency on Beachwalk and develop strategic plans to ensure both property’s profitability and growth. He has been with Outrigger for 25 years and worked at several properties in positions.
Marriott International has named Sam Basu as the area general manager of Puerto Rico and concurrently to general manager of The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan. With more than 20 years of experience in the luxury hospitality sector in the U.S., Central America and Puerto Rico, he will lead Marriott’s portfolio on the island, liaise with franchise partners, foster relationships with local officials and head the reopening of The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan.
Basu has held managerial roles at The Ritz-Carlton, San Juan for 10 years, including the position of executive assistant manager of rooms and F&B. Prior to his new role, he served as the opening general manager of the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort and Spa in Florida.
Iconic Luxury Hotels has appointed Samantha Rieu as general manager of its luxury boutique townhouse hotels, 11 Cadogan Gardens and The Chelsea Townhouse, both located in Chelsea, and the only two Relais & Châteaux hotels in London.
A hotel manager with more than 25 years of experience in luxury hotels, Rieu most recently served as hotel manager of The Beaumont Hotel in London and, prior to that, held the same role at DUKES London.
MORE MOVES
The Newman, the first hotel from hospitality management company Kinsfolk & Co., has welcomed Alex Drown as director of sales, ahead of its opening in spring 2025. This new role marks Drown’s return to London, following his previous role as director of leisure sales at Gansevoort.
Drown has more than 18 years of experience in the luxury and lifestyle hotel markets in London and New York. He has served at hotels, including Claridge’s, Mayfair; The Curtain, Shoreditch; Nobu London Portman Square and Gansevoort Meatpacking, New York City.
Kessler, the Southeast U.S.-based hospitality group, has welcomed Angela Showley as vice president of marketing and revenue. She will help the brand’s marketing strategies and oversee revenue generation across its entire portfolio, including Kessler’s Grand Bohemian brand.
Showley brings in more than 24 years of experience in digital marketing, social media, advertising and PR across the travel and hospitality industry. Most recently, she led the marketing and public relations department for Classic Vacations. Prior to that, she held various leadership positions at Marriott, including vice president, global brand marketing, social and PR.
Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa del Mar, the two properties sitting side by side along the Southern California coastline, have welcomed Kasidy DeWitt as director of spa.
She will manage and oversee the development of holistic concepts and menu offerings, as well as leading the recruitment, training and supervision of the spa staff. Most recently, she oversaw the flagship skincare studio at OSEA Malibu in Venice.
Dominik Stalder has been appointed as hotel manager of the Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. As a member of the luxury resort’s pre-opening team, Stalder played a crucial role in revitalizing the business during the 10-year renovation phase.
Most recently, he served as the project leader for the High-Level Conference on Peace in Ukraine, the diplomatic event held on June 15 and 16 at the BĂĽrgenstock Resort. He started his career with BĂĽrgenstock Hotels AG as the assistant F&B director between 2017 and 2020 and rose up the ranks to his new role.
Commonwealth Hotels has named Mark Shine as director of sales and marketing of The ART Hotel Denver, Curio Collection by Hilton. Shine will lead the sales and marketing teams, while driving sales, maximizing opportunities for leisure, business and group travel and more.
Shine has held roles at hotels in Colorado, including The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa and Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa. He served as the director of sales and marketing at The Jacquard Hotel & Rooftop in his most recent role.
Trinity Investments, the U.S.-based hospitality-focused real estate investor, has appointed Rob Tanenbaum as senior vice president of strategic operations. He brings more than 30 years of experience in hospitality. He will oversee the strategic operations of Trinity’s hotels on the East Coast and will be joined in Miami by Brittney Lewin, associate of strategic operations.
In his most recent position, he served as the managing director and head of North American hotel asset management at Starwood Capital Group. Prior to that, Tanenbaum served as senior asset management roles at Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and DiamondRock Hospitality Co.