RED ROOF’S NEW PRESIDENT, COOÂ
Red Roof has welcomed Zack Gharib as president, effective immediately. Gharib joins the company as it moves ahead with its goal of achieving 700 hotels in the U.S.
Gharib brings in over two decades of senior management experience in franchising, operations and brand management with hotel companies, such as Marriott, Vacasa, LaQuinta by Wyndham and Highgate Homes.
Gharib will be relocating to Columbus, Ohio and based out of Red Roof’s corporate headquarters there.
Red Roof has also promoted Fouad Malouf to the newly created position of COO. He will support Gharib by overseeing Red Roof’s daily operations. Malouf joined the company in 1982 and has over four decades of management expertise in his new role. Most recently, he served as senior vice president for franchise operations.
NADIA PANASYUK’S NEW ROLE AT FIRST HOSPITALITY
First Hospitality has appointed Nadia Panasyuk to vice president of revenue strategy. Panasyuk brings in more than two decades of experience in lifestyle, full-service and independent hotels and joins First Hospitality’s commercial strategy team.
She will lead the area revenue team and assist more than 70 properties in First Hospitality’s portfolio. Panasyuk will create and implement strategic revenue management initiatives to maximize room revenue, profit and market share for properties.
Prior to her role at First Hospitality, she served as the regional director of revenue management at Pivot Lifestyle Hotels by Davidson Hospitality Group.
MICHAEL HEEDEN JOINS FCM
FCM Hotels has named Michael Heeden as president. With more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, he spent the last 16 years as president of Winston Hospitality, Inc.Â
Heeden specializes in hotel operations, development and asset management and was earlier involved in urban mixed-use lifestyle-branded hotels and casino hotels and resorts.
“FCM Hotels has a great reputation for developing and operating award-winning hotels and a proven track record for financial success. FCM has several projects currently underway, and I look forward to the development opportunities in the future,” Heeden said.
HVMG PROMOTES THREE LEADERS
Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) has promoted the following three senior leaders to leadership roles:
- Jamison Conrey has been named vice president of engineering, capital projects and risk management. He will continue to lead the engineering support for HVMG and drive innovation and quality through the company’s capital planning and project execution process. He will also lead the development and implementation of the risk management initiatives and processes.
- Androse Bell has been promoted to general manager and vice president of operations. Bell recently returned to HVMG as general manager of the Hard Rock Hotel in Daytona Beach. He has held leadership positions at the Shores Resort and Spa between 2011 and 2015.
- Maggie Rosa has been named general manager and vice president of operations. Having been with HVMG for 10 years, Rosa most recently held the position of general manager of the Marriott Atlanta/Perimeter Center.
“These promotions recognize their consistent track record of success and the many contributions they have each made to HVMG. We are committed to creating pathways for career development by rewarding hard work, innovation and dedication to excellence, and these promotions are a testament to that,” said Robert Cole, CEO, HVMG.
NEW GMs
Highgate has announced the appointments of two general managers to its portfolio of hotels:
- Daniel Texeira, who opened AC Hotel by Marriott Honolulu in December 2023, has been appointed general manager for the Romer House Waikiki in Hawaii, which will open in June. Most recently, Texeira held leadership roles at Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach as director of operations and performance development manager for Marriott International Hawaii.
- Hayato Nogaki has been named general manager of AC Hotel by Marriott Honolulu. In his most recent role, Nogaki served as the general manager for Omni Charlotte Hotel.
Paradero Tados Santos, the hotel located in Baja California, Mexico, has named Ernesto Luna as the hotel’s general manager. He will oversee the property’s guest experience, programming and food and beverage experiences. The hotel has also announced Citlali González as the new wedding sales manager. With more than 10 years of experience in planning and operating events and weddings, González has managed events for companies such as Viceroy Hotel Group, Bunkhouse Hotels, Meliá Hotels International and Esperanza, an Auberge Resort.
MORE MOVES
EOS Hospitality has appointed Gary Thulander as area managing director of Wequassett Resort and Golf Club. He will also oversee Red Jacket Resorts, supporting the management teams at the five properties in South Yarmouth, Maine.
He brings in more than 30 years of hospitality experience and joins ahead of the 2024 high season. A local to Cape Cod, Thulander previously served as managing director of Chatham Bars Inn.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain has appointed Rowena Tucker as the senior sales executive leisure sales. She will drive the resort’s leisure sales strategy, cultivate collaborations and ensure guests satisfaction.
Most recently, she served as area senior leisure sales manager for Zadun, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Los Cabos and The St. Regis Punta Minta.