Virgin Hotels welcomed two members to its leadership team and announced an internal promotion. Owen Deignan became director of food and beverage operations, and Denise Walker assumed the role of vice president of information technology. Blake Smith was promoted from executive director of entertainment to vice president of entertainment and brand partnerships.
Deignan will be responsible for the food and beverage operations of all Virgin Hotels, including the forthcoming Virgin Hotels San Francisco, opening this year. Prior to joining Virgin Hotels, he was director of operations of Snap Kitchen, a market-based concept company out of Austin, Texas. Walker, based in Miami, brings 15 years of experience in corporate operations management from a global company, while Smith, based in Chicago, has overseen entertainment initiatives for the brand since 2014. The brand’s leadership team is tasked with developing and executing strategic plans for growth and profitability.
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, appointed Nelly Buleje executive chef. Buleje, who grew up in Lake Geneva, was an evening cook at the resort before he went on to become the resort’s chef de cuisine. Prior to re-joining Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Buleje was executive chef at Cleveland’s Metropolitan at The 9, leading the culinary team and overseeing menu development.
Canyon Ranch appointed Blake Catlett chief development officer, Dianna Balabon senior vice president of sales and marketing, and Carl Pratt general manager of Canyon Ranch Tucson in Tucson, Arizona. Catlett departed Starwood Capital Group where he was a vice president. Balabon most recently was executive vice president of marketing at Hakkasan Group while Pratt was vice president of program development at Miraval Group.
Outrigger Hotels and Resorts appointed Ike Cockett general manager, Edwin Torres assistant general manager and Shouma Moniz director of sales and marketing for Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger in Honolulu, which recently underwent a US$35 million modernization. Cockett most recently was general manager at the Ohana Waikiki East by Outrigger, also in Honolulu, while Torres was food and beverage director at Outrigger Guam Beach Resort in Tamuning, Guam. Moniz was director of sales and marketing at Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach in Honolulu.
Mario Bevilacqua von Gunderrode and Sade Lee became San Francisco Proper Hotel’s general manager, and director of sales and marketing, respectively. Bevilacqua von Gunderrode has global hospitality experience and recently graduated from an MBA program in San Francisco. Lee is a Bay Area native who recently served as associate director of sales for Kimpton Everly Hotel in Los Angeles.
McKibbon Hospitality named Carrie Duncan general manager of the AC Hotel Charlotte City Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Prior to this role, Duncan was general manager of Aloft Tallahassee Downtown in Tallahassee, Florida, another property in McKibbon Hospitality’s lifestyle hotel portfolio.
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle welcomed back Mike Hill as general manager. Hill first joined the property as an engineer in 2011, returning in 2014 as assistant general manager. He most recently managed The Grand Hotel in Minneapolis.
Capital Properties promoted Michael Hoffmann managing director for Perry Cabin Resorts & Golf in St. Michaels, Maryland. In his expanded role, the Swiss native will spearhead the property’s expansion, which includes Tennis at Perry Cabin by Cliff Drysdale and the upcoming redevelopment of the Lodge at Perry Cabin, as well as the launch of a championship 18-hole golf course. Hoffmann has more than 30 years of luxury hospitality experience.
Novotel Hotels & Resorts, Goa, in Goa, India, appointed Bhagyashree Kamat learning and development manager for Novotel Goa Resorts & Spa and Novotel Goa Shrem Hotel. Her previous assignment was at Novotel Pune Nagar Road in Pune, India. Novotel Hotels & Resorts, Goa, also named Jasbir Saini executive chef. Saini, who has more than 17 years of culinary experience, left the property’s pre-opening team in 2015 to join Fairmont the Palm, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, now part of AccorHotels. His last appointment was with Courtyard Marriott Mumbai, India.
Kalahari Resorts and Conventions named Arthur Keith general manager for the company’s Pocono Mountains resort in Pocono Manor, Pennsylvania. Keith has been general manager at some of the largest hotels in the world, including Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee, and Stratosphere Casino, Hotel and Tower, and The Cosmopolitan, both in Las Vegas.
Plant Riverside District, a JW Marriott Hotel operated by The Kessler Collection, announced several hires ahead of its opening later this year in Savannah, Georgia. Michael King joined as vice president of operations, Nancy Kiska is area vice president of human resources and Rob Gibson is director of music. King recently transitioned The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach in Palm Beach, Florida, to an independently run property. Kiska has opened hotels throughout the U.S. and Caribbean with Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International Hotels. Gibson formerly was executive and artistic director of the Savannah Music Festival for 16 years.
CSM Corporation promoted Keith Kramar from area general manager to managing director of the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot, which plans to open expanded event space in April. Kramar has worked for CSM Corporation for more than 12 years, previously as general manager of the Milwaukee Marriott West and area general manager of the Milwaukee region.
Yann Bernard Lejard became executive chef of The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Luxury Beachfront Resort, overseeing the full menu creation and operations of the culinary division of the Manama, Bahrain, resort. The French chef had been executive sous chef at Plums in The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain.
Jens Mathiesen became president and chief executive officer of Scandic Hotels Group. Mathiesen is a member of Scandic’s executive committee and has been country managing director Scandic Denmark since 2008.
Chatham Bars Inn in Chatham, Massachusetts, promoted Simon Rodrigues to director of sales and marketing. He previously was director of sales at the property, where he lead top line revenue in both transient and group sales, strategizing across market segments.
Jason Simpson joined Choice Hotels International as vice president of engineering. Simpson has held leadership positions at companies such as GoDaddy, was the chief technology officer for the state of Arizona, and most recently, led the engineering team at a Phoenix-based startup to develop API-based digital commerce experiences.
The Arch London in the Marylebone neighborhood of London, England, promoted Harry Stallwood to head of sales. Stallwood had been sales manager at the property for 14 months.
Concord Hospitality Enterprises Company promoted Dean Wendel to vice president of food and beverage. Wendel joined Concord in 2008 and has held several leadership positions with hotel companies including Ritz Carlton, Rock Resorts, Hilton and Marriott, as well as at several private resorts.
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Portland in Portland, Oregon, welcomed Travis Williams as general manager. Williams joined Kimpton four years ago, first in Seattle and then in management roles at the Sky Hotel in Aspen, Colorado, and Hotel Monaco in Salt Lake City.
Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel in Selangor, Malaysia, appointed Joyce Wong director of sales and marketing. Wong previously was commercial manager at Hilton Kuala Lumpur in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.