Wynn Resorts’ board of directors expanded to 11 board members by appointing Betsy Atkins, Dee Dee Myers and Wendy Webb as independent directors. The board named the new members after a search involving interviews of solely independent candidates. According to Wynn Resorts, the appointments advance a commitment to diversifying the gender, skills and experience of the board.
Atkins is a three-time CEO, entrepreneur and founder of Baja Corporation, an independent venture capital firm focused on technology, renewable energy and healthcare. Myers is executive vice president for worldwide corporate communications and public affairs at Warner Bros. Entertainment. Webb is CEO of Kestrel Advisors, which advises corporations on growth initiatives, governance, investor relations and strategic issues.
Rosewood London appointed Martin Cahill executive chef, overseeing the hotel’s kitchens and restaurants including Scarfes Bar and Mirror Room. Cahill most recently was executive chef at Dukes Hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Kokua Hospitality named Jacqueline Co director of guest experience at Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. Prior to joining the property, Co was the assistant general manager/operations manager at a residential building in Honolulu.
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced that Tiffany Cooper and Dan Thorman have joined the development team for the Americas – Cooper as senior vice president and Thorman as vice president. Cooper previously was vice president of lodging development at Marriott International while Thorman spent 12 years at Starwood and Marriott in roles ranging from development operations analyst to vice president of development for the full service and luxury brands in the Eastern U.S.
Sage Hospitality hired Jamey Cua to serve in a newly created role of senior vice president, managed development, responsible for securing long-term management contracts. Cua had been vice president of development – east region for Marriott International and was senior director of development overseeing brand growth for the Starwood Legacy Brands.
New Castle Hotels & Resorts announced Didier Dolivet as general manager of the Westin Prince, Toronto in Toronto, Canada. Dolivet had been hotel manager for the Westin Harbour Castle, also in Toronto.
Majestic Arjaan by Rotana in Muharraq, Bahrain named Mazen El Jardali its general manager. Before joining the property, he was part of the pre-opening team at ART Rotana Hotel, Amwaj Islands in Bahrain as director of front office and then as executive assistant manager.
The National Conference Center and West Belmont Place in Leesburg, Virginia promoted Todd Goldian to director of food and beverage. Goldian had been executive chef for the property.
Leanne Harwood stepped into the role of managing director for Australasia and Japan for IHG. Harwood had been vice president of IHG’s operations in South East Asia and Korea.
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua in Kapalua, Hawaii named Susan Hinfey director of national accounts, Alyssa Uslaner as senior sales manager and Vanessa Robinson as senior sales manager, group. Hinfey previously was global luxury account executive for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company while Uslaner was account director of luxury leisure and group sales at The Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Robinson had been the market senior sales manager for The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach & Bal Harbour, and HelmsBriscoe in Miami.
QT Museum Wellington in Wellington, New Zealand appointed Mark Hsiong head chef of the hotel’s Asian fusion restaurant, Hot Sauce. Hsiong has culinary experience in Singapore and North America, working with Michelin-starred chefs.
Stonebridge Companies’ Home2 Suites by Hilton Anchorage Midtown in Anchorage, Alaska promoted Brittney Johnsen to general manager. She recently was guest service manager for Embassy Suites by Hilton Anchorage and in Stonebridge Companies’ Aspiring Leaders program.
Grace Hotels appointed Matthew Padilla executive chef at Grace White Barn Inn & Spa and the White Barn Restaurant in Kennebunk, Maine. Padilla joined the property from the Relais & Châteaux property, The Inn at Dos Brisas in Washington, Texas where he served as executive chef.
Aqua-Aston Hospitality named Chris Port chief development officer. Port most recently was a development leader for Kimpton Hotels & Resorts where he managed expansion across the western U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Michael Pye became area general manager for Hawaii and general manager for Fairmont Kea Lani on Maui. He will also oversee the Fairmont Orchid in Puako, Hawaii. Pye previously was general manager, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver in Vancouver, Canada.
W San Francisco in San Francisco’s SoMa district appointed Leila Reyes director of style, overseeing teams that execute housekeeping operations, as well as ensuring that the property’s brand creativity and procedures are highlighted in guestrooms and facilities. Prior to joining W San Francisco, Reyes was assistant director of housekeeping at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco.
The Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown, Massachusetts named Diana Rosure general manager. Rosure most recently was general manager for Outrigger Lodging Services in Southern California.
Christophe Harbour, a super-yacht marina and resort community on Saint Kitts in Saint Kitts and Nevis, appointed Katherine Somoza food and beverage director, Miguel Somoza food production and service manager, and Chris Warburton manager of SALT Plage, the property’s beachside bar. Katherine Somoza hails from the Valley Trunk Estate in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands where she was deputy manager. Miguel Somoza, Katherine’s husband, also came from the same property where he was executive chef. Warburton had been manager of The Island Last Resort on Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Ashish Thalakkat became executive pastry chef at Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel in Berkeley, California. Thalakkat joined the property from Fairmont Empress in Victoria, Canada where had been executive pastry chef since 2014.
Joe Velasquez assumed the role of director of sales and marketing at Château Élan Winery & Resort in Braselton, Georgia. Velasquez most recently was director of sales at The Venetian in Las Vegas.
Collective Governors Island in New York City hired Vanessa Vitale as the retreat’s managing director. Vitale had been general manager of The Tillary Hotel in Brooklyn, New York.
Benchmark named Scott Ward director of sales and marketing for Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort in Curaçao. He was previously interim director of sales and marketing for Benchmark’s South Florida properties, Beachwalk Resort in Hallandale Beach and Marenas Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach.
Colorado’s East West Hospitality named Colleen Weiss-Hanen president and chief executive officer. Current CEO and founding partner Ross Bowker will transition to the role of chairman. Weiss-Hanen has worked with the group for more than 24 years, most recently serving as the chief financial officer and asset manager.
Valencia Group’s Lone Star Court in Austin, Texas appointed Savanna Wesley general manager. The Austin native most recently was assistant general manager at Homewood Suites by Hilton followed by general manager at Present Homewood Suites by Hilton in Somerset, New Jersey.