Stonebridge Cos., Denver, Colorado, a privately owned hotel owner, operator and developer, has welcomed Tom Brinkman as president and chief operating officer. Brinkman’s addition strengthens Stonebridge’s commitment to expand its diverse hotel portfolio.
In his new role, Brinkman will drive operational performance and assist in the execution of the company’s calculated growth strategy. He will be responsible for the hotel operations, business development, finance/accounting, sales and marketing, human resources, risk management, information technology and legal departments.
“I am incredibly proud to have Tom on our team, someone I have known personally and professionally for years. His commitment to excellence, broad spectrum of experience and professional demeanor perfectly capture our spirit and culture,” said Stonebridge Founder and CEO Navin Dimond.
Brinkman brings more than 30 years of experience as an executive with Marriott International. Most recently, Brinkman served as chief development officer for United States full-service brands. Over his career at Marriott, Brinkman led various hotel development teams including The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott, The Luxury Collection Hotels, Gaylord Hotels and Resorts, Renaissance Hotels, Autograph Collection Hotels, Westin and Le Meridien Hotels, in addition to holding multiple regional and global management roles.
Brinkman’s appointment follows on the heels of Stonebridge’s announcement of plans to acquire more than US$1 billion in hotel assets with a recent investment by TowerBrook Capital Partners and other private investors. Stonebridge has announced plans for significant growth with a focus on third-party management opportunities. In addition, the company is creating new jobs while providing existing staff with the opportunity to grow from within.
Corporate Management
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, Florida, has promoted Nathan Chapa to vice president of hospitality. Chapa joined Hard Rock in 2018 as director of hotel operations.
KSL Resorts, Irvine, California, has welcomed Nordee Saritvanich as its vice president of investments and business development. Previously, Saritvanich served as vice president of Pacifica Hotels/Invest West Financial Corporation, Santa Barbara, California.
Fathom Companies, Portland, Maine, has made two leadership team promotions: Marieke Thormann to vice president, development and Brandon Hussey to vice president, hospitality management. Thormann most recently worked as director of development and Hussey as director of sales and marketing.
General Managers and Managing Directors
Hilton has appointed Diarmuid Dwyer to area managing director of its New York City managed hotel portfolio. Previously, Dwyer was the general manager of the New York Hilton Midtown.
Alys Beach, Emerald Coast, Florida, has welcomed Robert Stenhammer as the new vice president and general manager. Previously, Stenhammer served as executive vice president at the Telluride Ski & Golf Resort in Colorado.
The Morrow Hotel, Washington D.C., has named Paul Puzzanghero as general manager and Babou Saine as hotel manager. Puzzanghero has experience in managing traditionally branded hotels as well as luxury lifestyle assets such as the Boston Long Wharf Marriott, The Boston Cambridge Marriott, Marriott International, Inc., Boston Marriott Newton, Boston Marriott Quincy, Ritz Carlton – Boston Common, Engel Group, LLC., and Lowes Hotels & Resorts. Sain served as director of rooms at The Watergate Hotel, Washington.
Hilton has chosen Mark Sanders as the general manager of the New York Hilton Midtown. Previously, Sanders worked as managing director of Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan, New York.
Operations
David Tortora has been named director of operations at Conrad New York Midtown. Previously, Tortora served as director of rooms at the Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Phoenix, Arizona.
Food & Beverage
The Charleston Place, North Carolina, has welcomed Master Chef Olivier Gaupin to its team as director of culinary. Chef Gaupin’s career highlights include serving as Chef de Partie of the Michelin-rated Hotel Negresco in Nice, France, and Chef de Partie at the Hotel Stuva Colani in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
The Woodstock Inn & Resort, Vermont, has selected Matthew McClure as the new executive chef. McClure joins from The Hive, a restaurant at the 21c Museum Hotel in Bentonville, Arizona, where he served as executive chef for ten years.
Adrian Mishek has been appointed director of food and beverage at The Morrow Hotel, Washington D.C. Mishek was part of defining the culinary atmosphere at Nemo Restaurant in Miami Beach, Trump National Golf Club in Westchester, New York, Barracks Row Entertainment in Washington D.C., W Hotel in Washington D.C., and The Watergate Hotel., also in D.C.
Fairmont Washington, D.C. named Claus Olsen executive pastry chef. Olsen joined from Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC, where he created signature desserts and other confections while overseeing the culinary brigade, food & beverage outlets banquets, tea operations and amenities.
InterContinental San Francisco and fine dining restaurant Luce, San Francisco, California, have made four additions to the food and beverage team: Norma Whitt is the new executive chef, Dennis Efthymiou is the new chef de cuisine, Marco Buffa is the newly appointed wine director and dinner service manager, and Adam Kerr is the director of outlets. Whitt joined following two years at Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore; Efthymiou after cooking at The Fat Duck, London, UK, and Wicked Jane, New York City; Marco Buffa after working at Cotogna and Greens Restaurant, both in San Francisco; and Kerr after working with the Westin, Marriott, and Hilton.
Sales & Marketing
Dionne Dabney-Williams has been appointed director of sales of The Morrow Hotel, Washington D.C., and Ashley Hunter Perez as marketing manager. Most recently, Dabney-Williams worked as director of national accounts at The Willard InterContinental, Washington D.C., while Perez served as public relations director for Neiman Marcus Tysons Corner, Virginia.
hihotels by Hospitality International, Atlanta, Georgia, has hired Vic Vescovo and Patrick Cheedie as franchise development and assurance and marketing program directors. Vescovo helped develop the Americas Best Value Inn, Denver, Colorado, brand during his 11-plus years with Vantage Hospitality Group/RLH Corp. Cheedie has more than 30 years of sales and territory management experience, including nine years in the hospitality industry with Wyndham Hotel Group, Choice Hotels International, RLH Corp. and Red Roof Hotels International.
Hotel Citrine and AC Hotel Palo Alto, California, have hired Emily Ziemba as campus sales manager and Meilani Villamor as campus catering sales manager. Most recently, Ziemba served as director of sales for Palihotel Seattle, Washington, while Villamor served as executive meeting manager of The Ameswell Hotel in Mountain View, California.