Villa d’Este Hotels, Como, Italy, has named Davide Bertilaccio chief executive officer, starting in April 2022. In his new role, Bertilaccio will oversee the group’s four properties: Hotel Villa d’Este, Lake Como; Villa La Massa, Florence; Palace Hotel, Como; and Hotel Barchetta Excelsior, Como.
With over three decades of experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Bertilaccio previously held various leadership roles at Rosewood Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels and Rocco Forte Hotels, among others.
Prior to joining Villa d’Este Hotels, he was the regional vice president and managing director of Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Montalcino, Italy. Bertilaccio also served as area general manager of FRHI Hotels & Resorts, overseeing the company’s three Kenyan properties, including the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel, Nairobi, where he was also general manager.
Evans Hotels, San Diego, California, has welcomed Matthew Adams as its new executive vice president and chief operating officer. Adams previously served as chief operating officer for Windsor Hospitality, Santa Monica, California, and executive vice president of operations for Omni Hotels, Dallas, Texas. Anthony Belef has also joined Evans Hotels as chief human resources officer. Prior to that, Belef worked for Omni Hotels and Resorts as a director and area director of human resources.
Les Bordes Estate & Golf Club, Saint-Laurent-Nouan, France, has appointed Max Binda chief executive officer. In his last role as general manager, Binda oversaw the implementation of Qatar General Insurance & Reinsurance Co.’s operations, sales, and marketing strategy across the company’s portfolio in Qatar.
Chartwell Hospitality, Nashville, Tennessee, has completed a leadership restructure in its corporate office, elevating five team members in senior positions: Amy Brodrick from vice president, sales and marketing to senior vice president, sales and marketing; Ben Stevens from director of finance to vice president, finance; Christie Oclarayfrom director of human resources to vice president, human resources; Lynn Edwards from director of revenue management to vice president, revenue management; Michael Sanders from regional manager to vice president, hotel operations.
Nelly Buleje has been promoted to director of food and beverage by Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Prior to this new position, Buleje was the resort’s executive chef.
Set to open for the 2022 season on March 10, Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice, Italy, has named Riccardo Canella executive chef at its Ristorante Oro. He will also oversee the Cip’s Club, Porticciolo, and Bar Gabbiano, as well as events and private dining. Chef Canella’s previous career highlights include serving as sous chef to René Redzepi at Noma, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Montego Bay, Jamaica, has added Lily Carr to its New York City team as director of sales. She was most recently leisure sales manager for Rosewood Baha Mar, Nassau, Bahamas.
Dan Coyle has been promoted to executive vice president of the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean for Preferred Hotels & Resorts, New York City. Coyle joined Preferred in 2002 as regional director of global sales and was promoted to area managing director of Americas East two years later. Most recently, he served as area managing director of North America.
Chef Lee Cresswell has taken the reins at the No 44 Brasserie, which is part of The Arden Hotel on Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon, England. The move marks his first appointment as a head chef, after having worked as senior sous chef at The Fish Hotel, Cotswolds, England.
Maykel Escalona has joined Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, California, as director of food and beverage. He most recently held the same position at The Beekman Hotel, New York City.
Flamingo Resort, Santa Rosa, California, has appointed Bob Geller area director of sales and catering. Geller will also oversee sales and catering operations at the resort’s sister property, The Sandman Hotel. He previously served as vice president of sales and marketing at Silverado Resort & Spa, Napa, California.
Donohoe Hospitality Services, Bethesda, Maryland, has promoted two senior members of its team. Cheryl Haughton has been named vice president, new builds, transitions and major renovations. She joined the company in 1992 and most recently was regional director of operations, full-service and lifestyle hotels. Michael Golembehas been promoted to vice president of operations, after having served as regional director of operations.
Pacifica Hotels, Aliso Viejo, California, has appointed Josh Hill corporate executive chef to oversee all food and beverage offerings across the company’s portfolio of properties. Previously, he was corporate executive chef at The Decurion Corp., Los Angeles, California. Collin Smelser has also joined Pacifica Hotels as executive chef at The Wayfarer Downtown LA, California, after having held the same role at Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles, California.
Stratospheric exploration company World View, Tucson, Arizona, has appointed Dale Hipsh president of tourism and exploration. Prior to joining the World View leadership team, Hipsh served as senior vice president of hotels at Hard Rock International, Orlando, Florida.
Mckibbon Hospitality has appointed James House general manager of Home2 Suites by Hilton Wildwood-The Villages, Florida, slated to open this spring. House has worked with Mckibbon Hospitality for 10 years, most recently as dual assistant general manager of the AC Hotel and Residence Inn Charlotte City Center, North Carolina.
Essex Hotel Management, Rochester, New York, has promoted seven of its key leaders: John Kattato to senior vice president operations; Keith Shugerts to vice president project and facilities management; Chris Mellone to vice president operations; Cheryl Huhn to director revenue and sales strategies; Jonathan Clark to director finance and accounting; Kristen Srolis to controller; and Anne Mancuso to assistant controller.
Having opened in June 2021, The Westin Anaheim Resort, California, has appointed three new executives to lead the hotel team: Nicholas Price as general manager, Kenneth Williams as executive chef and Gema Maleki as controller. Prior to the appointment, Price was the general manager at Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, California and Williams was executive chef of Agua Caliente Casino Resort, Rancho Mirage, California. Maleki also joins from Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, where she held the controller position.
Chef Brian Rodriguez has joined the culinary team of Adorn Bar & Restaurant, located in the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, Illinois. Most recently, he served as executive sous chef at the Zuma Japanese Group, London, England.
Hilton has appointed members to the executive team at Signia by Hilton San Jose, California. Slated to open this spring as Signia by Hilton’s first California property, the hotel’s executive team consists of Jimmy Sarfraz, general manager; Catherine Hendricks, complex director of sales and marketing; Nicole Kent, complex director of revenue management; and Hans Lentz, executive chef. Sarfraz joins from Hilton San Jose and Juniper Hotel Cupertino, Curio Collection by Hilton, Cupertino, California, where he served as complex general manager. Hendricks will oversee efforts for both Signia by Hilton San Jose and Hilton San Jose, where she has been since 2012. Before arriving in San Jose, Kent was the director of revenue management at La Quinta Resort & Club, California. Chef Lentz was most recently the executive chef of Halekulani & Halepuna Hotel, Oahu, Hawaii.
Keith Siebenaler has been appointed general manager at Kimpton Hotel Born Denver, Colorado. Siebenaler has a history with the Kimpton brand, joining the Hotel Born team from The Kimpton Schofield Hotel, Cleveland, Ohio, where he served as general manager for four years.
Matt Skaletsky has been named the new general manager of Semiahmoo Resort, Blaine, Washington. He previously helmed Hotel Windrow, Ellensburg, Washington, as general manager.
Rosewood Hotel Group has appointed two executive team leaders. Former group vice president, food and beverage, Ivan Suardi, has been promoted to executive vice president, global product and concept development. Keno Lung has joined Rosewood Hotel Group as vice president, global employee experience and talent. He previously served as head of human resources Hong Kong and head of talent acquisition and development, North Asia at Louis Vuitton.
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, Soufrière, Saint Lucia, has appointed James Wyndham general manager. He joins Sugar Beach from his most recent role as general manager for The Island House, Nassau, Bahamas.