Radisson Hotel Group appointed Aly El-Bassuni chief operating officer in the Americas, a newly created role in which El-Bassuni is responsible for driving operational strategies across the Americas for the group’s franchised and managed hotels. El-Bassuni previously served as Radisson’s senior vice president, franchise operations for the Americas. He will continue to lead the franchise operations, owner relations, retention services, guest experience, and safety and security functions across all brands in the Americas.
“[El-Bassuni’s] vast experience in the hospitality industry sets an ideal foundation for him to drive synergies and collaboration across both our franchised and managed operations,” said Ken Greene, president, Americas, Radisson Hotel Group. “In this new role, his team will help position our Americas portfolio for long-term success as they achieve the goals outlined in our five-year plan initiatives, while building meaningful relationships with our owners and partners.”
Heather Allison is complex director of sales and marketing for New York Marriott Marquis and Sheraton New York Times Square, both in New York City. Allison stepped into the role after serving as director of sales and marketing in Los Angeles for The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, and JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. Live.
Hospitality Ventures Management Group named Stephanie Bauer regional vice president of operations, and Marcus Marshall vice president of restaurants and bars. The company also promoted Ken Morgan, formerly general manager of the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to regional director of operations. Bauer had been vice president of asset management at Avana Capital, and Marshall was director of operations for Atlanta-based Concentrics Restaurants.
IntercityHotel appointed three general managers of properties in Germany. Thomas Bausch is general manager of the IntercityHotel Celle, replacing Birgit Borchert, who is now general manager of IntercityHotel Hildesheim. Suat Cavdar is pre-opening general manager at IntercityHotel Saarbrücken. Bausch has been assistant manager at IntercityHotel Kassel in Kassel, Germany. Cavdar had been hotel and cluster manager at Motel One in Germany.
Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in ChampionsGate, Florida, appointed LeAnn Davis director of sales and marketing. She recently was director of complex sales at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida.
The Hodelpa Nicolás de Ovando Hotel in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, named Luigi Di Ciaccio general manager. Di Ciaccio is a third-generation hotelier who most recently was general manager at the Plaza Hotel Fort Lauderdale in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
H. Jackson Donoyan is vice president of operations for Main Street Hospitality Group. Donoyan had been general manager at Nylo Providence Warwick Hotel, Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa appointed Andrew Falter director of group sales. Prior to this role, falter was founder and president of Sponsorship Reliance Group.
The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park, set to open early 2020 in El Paso, Texas, named Wolfgang Jonas general manager and Amy Hussman director of sales. Jonas has more than 30 years’ experience in hospitality, including in operational and management positions at hotels and brands such as the Omni Hotel at CNN Center in Atlanta, Westin Hotels and Resorts in Atlanta, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. and more. Hussman served as a lead on The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park’s pre-opening team and has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality and sales industries.
Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown in Los Angeles appointed Chris Lee general manager. He most recently was general manager for the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City at Beverly Hills, also in Los Angeles.
Raffaele Lenzi is executive chef at Le Sereno St. Barth’s Restaurant Le Sereno in Grand Cul de Sac, St. Barth. Lenzi is joined by Andrea Cimino as chef and Stefano Gaiofatto as food and beverage director. Gaiofatto and Cimino come to the property from Le Sereno’s sister property, Il Sereno Lago di Como, in Torno, Italy, where they helped the restaurant Berton Al Lago earn its first Michelin star within a year of opening.
Hotel Maya – a DoubleTree by Hilton in Long Beach, California, appointed Allison Lesser director of sales and marketing. Lesser had been vice president of business development at BTS Hospitality, a hospitality consulting firm.
The Denver Marriott Tech Center named Alexis Martinez executive chef. Martinez came to Denver to serve as the executive chef of the Loews Denver Hotel, and most recently was senior sous chef at the Sheraton Denver Downtown.
Ana Luiza Masagão is head of sales and marketing for Palácio Tangará in São Paulo, Brazil. Masagão recently worked at Rio Quente (now Aviva) and Royal Palm Hotels & Resorts.
Hilton appointed Dino Michael global head of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts, effective January 1, 2020. Michael was appointed the global brand head for Waldorf Astoria in June 2018 and has since overseen the addition of 13 luxury properties to the portfolio.
Vietnam-based hotel and resort company Fusion appointed Akshay Moza chief commercial officer. Moza has been with Fusion since 2015, most recently as group commercial director.
First Hospitality appointed Ray Nugent director of renovations and facilities. Nugent has directed more than US$1billion in construction projects throughout his career, which includes time spent as director of facilities for Bellagio Resort Las Vegas.
Corinthia Hotels appointed Christian Renz chief commercial officer, to be based in London, England. Prior to this role, Renz was senior vice president of sales and revenue management at Rocco Forte Hotels.
The Westin St. Francis in San Francisco appointed Fernando Reyes executive chef. Reyes most recently was executive sous chef for the Marriott Operations Support Resources team, supporting multiple hotels by providing technical and business knowledge, training and best practices.
Marc Rosen is executive chef of the Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa, and its restaurant, 3800 Ocean. Rosen has more than 40 years of hospitality experience, including 27 years as executive chef for restaurants and hotels in Florida’s Palm Beaches, southern New England, Chicago and New York City.
Six Senses Krabey Island in Krabey Island, Cambodia, appointed Ateeb Shrestha general manager. Shrestha spent three years as general manager with Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam.