Sala Hospitality Group appointed two senior executives in a move aimed at enhancing its position in Asia as a beach resort and boutique hotel operator. Benjaporn Magroodtong is group director of sales and marketing, and Farah Dhiba is group director of revenue optimization. Both are based at Sala’s headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand.
A Thai national, Magroodtong, previously was the company’s director of sales, a position she held since July 2015. She has 20 years of experience with brands including JW Marriott and Anantara. Dhiba was revenue manager at NH Hotel Group, overseeing six properties in Brussels, Belgium, and two in London, England. Following a spell with Rezidor Hotel Group, she moved to Pentahotels where she was regional head of revenue management, based in Frankfurt, Germany.
Sonesta International Hotels Corporation appointed Carmie Antongiovanni general manager of Sonesta ES Suites Chicago Schaumburg in Schaumburg, Illinois. For the past two years, she was dual director of sales for the Sonesta ES Suites Chicago Schaumburg and Chicago Lombard in Lombard, Illinois.
Waterford Hotel Group named John Berndt general manager of the Gettysburg Hotel, owned by Gettysburg College, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Berndt most recently was general manager at Waiea at Ward Village in Honolulu.
The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland, appointed Elizabeth Faler general manager. Faler previously was hotel manager for The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles.
Ka?anapali Beach Hotel in Lahaina, Hawaii, appointed Jason Kayatani director of restaurants, Marissa Ugale catering sales manager and Angelo Sicad junior sous chef. Kayatani was general manager for Uncle’s Fish Market & Grill Restaurants in Honolulu, overseeing two restaurants, banquets and catering. Ugale recently was the restaurant and events manager of Sea House Restaurant in Lahaina, as well as floor manager of Wowie Maui Kava Bar in Kahului, Hawaii. Sicad has experience as a line cook at Star Noodle in Lahaina.
Nicolas Lebas is executive chef at Barnsley Resort in Adairsville, Georgia. Lebas most recently was executive chef consultant for Universal Hospitality Solutions Worldwide in La Quinta, California, where he was responsible for training the culinary team while elevating culinary standards.
Bill Lee is general manager of the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center Gainesville in Gainesville, Florida. Lee previously was general manager of The Grove Resort Orlando in Orlando, Florida.
Mark O’Brien is general manager of Shinola Hotel in Detroit. Formerly, O’Brien was vice president of lodging at Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls, Michigan.
Andaz West Hollywood named Matt Ojinaga director of sales and marketing, and Denise Sy director of business travel and entertainment sales. Ojinaga’s experience includes boutique and resort and convention properties while Sy has experience at hotels in both Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Michael Platt is managing director of Cavalier Resort in Virginia Beach, Virginia, responsible for operations of The Historic Cavalier Hotel & Beach Club, the soon-to-launch Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront, six food and beverage outlets, and private residences. He previously was general manager of El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort in Tucson, Arizona.
Corinthia London appointed Stephanie Sansiveri head of sales for the Eastern region of the United States. She joined from Lotte New York Palace and Towers where she was assistant director of travel industry sales.
First Hospitality promoted Sam Schwartz to vice president of asset management. Prior to his promotion, Schwartz was general manager of the Hampton Inn Chicago McCormick Place in Chicago. He was also development director at First Hospitality.
Tonya Scott is general manager of the Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois. Scott previously was general manager of Hotel Burnham in Chicago.
Macarena Sepulveda is director of event planning and meeting experience at The Confidante Miami Beach in Miami Beach, Florida. Sepulveda most recently was director of the cluster sales office for MDM Hotel Group, where she represented five hotels in Miami for the past four years.
Destination Residences Hawaii appointed Stephanie Sisneros director of association management and Flynt Payne general manager of Destination Residences Kona-Kohala in Waimea, Hawaii. Sisneros has served as general partner for Island Property Consulting, as well as vice president of operations for an association management firm on Maui, and co-owner and operator of a general construction company. Payne previously held senior leadership positions for luxury resorts and private clubs in Mexico, Colorado, Oregon and Hawaii.
The Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, appointed Brenton Sollenberger beverage director. Sollenberger had been lead bartender at Pour on Prince, also in Lancaster.
Bluegreen Vacations Corporation named Dusty Tonkin chief sales officer. He came to the company from Wyndham Destinations where he held various sales leadership roles since 2002, most recently working as executive vice president of sales and marketing, leading teams in six major regions.
The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, California, appointed Clayton van Hooijdonk director of food and beverage. Van Hooijdonk joined from Montage Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, California, where he also served as director of food and beverage.
Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey, California, named Daniel Williston chef de cuisine. As sous chef, Williston helped open NoMad in Los Angeles and also served as sous chef at Otium in Los Angeles.
The Tides Inn in Irvington, Virginia, appointed Brent Woodyard director of sales. This is a promotion for Woodyard, who previously was the resort’s associate director of sales.
Ray Jingshu Zhang joined Fusion as general manager of Fusion Suites Saigon, a wellness-inspired hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Zhang recently worked as deputy general manager (pre-opening) of Banwa Private Island in Palawan, Philippines.