SHANE PAPPAS RETURNS TO NOBLE HOUSE
Shane Pappas has been named the general manager of the Jekyll Island Club Resort, and its oceanfront boutique sister, the Jekyll Ocean Club. The announcement was made by Don Dennis, president of operations for Noble House Hotels & Resorts. The new role marks Pappas’ return to Noble House, following his tenure as the opening general manager of the Southall Farm and Inn near Nashville.
Pappas began his career in hospitality as a night bellman at the Four Seasons Aviara, after completing college. He moved up the sales and operations management ranks of luxury hotels in southern California, including posts at Rancho Valencia, Estancia La Jolla and ultimately general manager posts at the boutique Pantai Inn, the Keating Hotel and San Diego’s Kona Kai Resort and Spa.
Built in 1886, the Jekyll Island Club opened in 1888 as an exclusive winter getaway for America’s elite. In 2017, the resort added the all-suite, oceanfront, boutique hotel, Jekyll Ocean Club.
DAN PETERSON JOINS AVION HOSPITALITY
Avion Hospitality, the third-party, national hotel operator, has appointed Dan Peterson as senior vice president of operations. Prior to his new position, he served as executive vice president of operations with Minneapolis-based CSM Corporation.
Bringing more than 25 years of experience in hospitality operations, Peterson has led third-party management company teams and portfolio with brands like Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt. Currently, Peterson serves on several advisory boards.
“Dan’s wealth of experience and proven track record in operations make him a valuable addition to the Avion team,” said Robert Burg, CEO/president of Avion Hospitality. “His owner-centric expertise, experience and respect from national brands will be key to supporting Avion’s continued growth, as we embark on this exciting expansion phase. I am confident that Dan’s leadership will enhance our operations and support for our assets, and his addition to the leadership team underscores Avion’s commitment to continuing to put infrastructure in front of growth.”
OUTRIGGER ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS
Outrigger Resorts & Hotels has announced the following executive announcements:
- Christine San Nicolas as the general manager of Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort & Spa. With more than 25 years of experience with Outrigger, San Nichols will lead the resort’s operations, driving excellence across all departments, including guest services, product quality, safety, sales, marketing and revenue management. She will also collaborate with Outrigger’s global marketing team to ensure a cohesive brand presence while fostering a high-performing workforce.
- Chrystalle Anger as area director of front services at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort and Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. Anger will direct all phases of guest and host relations for the front desk and bell services and will oversee staff development and financial management planning related to scheduling and ordering. She brings in 11 years of experience to her new position and most recently served as the assistant director of front office at the Marriott Boston Copley Place.
NEW GMs
Hyatt Regency Boston/Cambridge has appointed Matthew Huss as general manager. He brings 25 years of experience to the recently renovated, 479-room hotel, where he will oversee day-to-day operations.
Huss will helm the development of strategic initiatives tied to business objectives, while elevating the guest experience through an innovative approach. Prior to his new role, he served at Hyatt Centric Magnificent Mile as general manager.
Hilton Portland Downtown and The Duniway have named Mike McLeod as the general manager of the hotel complex. McLeod will oversee the performance of the 782-room Hilton complex, with more than 47,700 square feet of meeting and event space and three restaurants.
With 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry, his new role marks his return to the Hilton complex, where he previously worked as the director of sales and marketing from 2004 to 2007. McLeod joins from Hilton Vancouver Washington, where he served as general manager.
Julien Labays has been named resort manager at Rosewood Baha Mar in the Bahamas. Labays will collaborate with managing director Monica Ortiz, with a special focus on elevating the guest experience across all areas of the resort.
Labays has a background in luxury hospitality and has previously served as director of hotel operations at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows and as regional director of food and beverage operations at The Setai Miami Beach.
MORE MOVES
Radisson Salt Lake City Downtown has appointed Kate Eckhardt as director of sales and marketing. With more than 30 years of hospitality experience, Eckhardt will spearhead a team of eight sales and convention sales professionals, focusing on synergy, teamwork and aligning with the hotel’s strategic goals.
Most recently, Eckhardt served as the director of sales and marketing at Marriott City Center and was the regional director of operations and sales at Assurance Hospitality, where she oversaw eight hotels in Northern Utah and Las Vegas, with a combined budget of $18 million.
Viceroy Snowmass has promoted Katie de Besche to director of sales. She joined Viceroy Snowmass in August 2009 as the opening sales manager and was promoted to the role of director of catering.
de Besche’s journey in hospitality began in Breckenridge, where she served as the catering and conference services manager at Beaver Run Resort for four years. She then relocated to the Roaring Fork Valley and joined Hotel Jerome for four years, where she advanced from catering sales manager to national group sales manager.
Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club, the luxury resort in the Caribbean, has appointed Sally Glen as the director of sales and marketing. Glen brings in 20 years of experience across luxury hospitality and international sales. She will lead the property into a new chapter by energizing its marketing, modernizing interactions with residents and visitors and establishing Aurora’s positioning within the Caribbean tourism economy.
In her most recent role, she led the opening of a new luxury resort in the Caribbean and ascertained its position within key luxury markets across the U.S. and Europe.