NEW ROLE FOR SCOTT STRICKLAND AT WYNDHAM
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has appointed Scott Strickland as chief commercial officer, reporting to President and CEO Geoff Ballotti.
In the newly created role, Strickland and his team will be responsible of delivering best value and experiences to Wyndham’s owners and guests across its 25 brands through a common commercial organization. He continues his responsibilities to enhance and implement Wyndham’s technology and distribution strategy and will add oversight of global sales, revenue generation, marketing, communications and Wyndham’s loyalty program, Wyndham Rewards.
Wyndham recruited Strickland seven years ago from the private equity sector, where he led information systems, ecommerce and business transformation teams at companies such D+M Holdings, Nissan, and Black & Decker.
“Under Scott’s guidance – including managing and deploying our $275 million investment in best-in-class technology, digital, and franchisee opt-in services over the past five years – Wyndham has taken a leadership position and delivered multiple industry innovations for its owners,” said Ballotti. “In this new role, Scott and his expanded team will continue to build our brands, drive direct revenue, and advance our value proposition through a newly combined, tech-forward commercial organization.”
With the creation of this organization, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer Lisa Checcio will exit Wyndham. During her tenure at Wyndham, she introduced the company’s “by Wyndham” endorsement strategy, played a key role in launching new brands and expanded Wyndham Rewards. Checcio also led the development of Women Own the Room, a program dedicated to women’s advancement in hotel ownership.
DAN FLANNERY JOINS LOEWS AS COO
Loews Hotels, the New York-based hotel and branded operator, has named Dan Flannery as its new chief operating officer. In his new role, Flannery will be in charge of developing and implementing strategies to enhance operational efficiency, improve guest experiences and boost overall business growth.
With more than four decades of experience in hospitality industry, Flannery brings in a background in operations, training, brand development, food and beverage concepting, financial management and team building to Loews.
“Dan’s impressive background, tenure in the industry and all-around skill set position him as the ideal person to lead our operations efforts,” said Alex Tisch, president and CEO, Loews Hotels & Co. “As COO, Dan and his team will continue to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests, team members and neighbors, while bringing new and innovative ideas to achieve performance and guest satisfaction.”
Most recently, he served as CEO of Cape Resorts and prior to that, he developed and launched the EDITION luxury lifestyle brand with hotelier Ian Schrager. At EDITION, he opened and operated the brand’s initial 15 properties worldwide.
NEW GMs
Arlo Hotels has welcomed Cordell Nelson as general manager at Arlo Washington, D.C., the latest addition to the brand portfolio. The former general manager at Arlo SoHo is returning to his roots in Washington, D.C. to establish Arlo’s footprint in the capital as the hotel prepares to open this fall.
Nelson began his journey with Arlo Hotels in 2016 and assisted in the opening of Arlo SoHo and Arlo NoMad in New York City. He brings in 17 years of experience in the hospitality industry and has worked in several NYC hotels.
Andaz West Hollywood has appointed Christina Fry as the hotel’s new general manager. Fry will oversee the daily operations of the hotel and lead staff management and guest experiences.
Fry has worked with the Hyatt brand for more than 12 years. Before joining Andaz West Hollywood, she served as director of rooms at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort and director of food and beverage at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa. Fry’s career in hospitality started as a front office agent at Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe.
TFE Hotels has appointed Chris Kemlo as general manager of The Calile Hotel in Brisbane.
Kemlo’s career spans 18 years in the hospitality industry and he previously held leadership positions with Crown Resorts in Melbourne, and more recently with Crown Towers Sydney.
MORE MOVES
Jumeirah Group has welcomed Gregg Nielsen as global director of sales. With nearly 10 years of experience in luxury hospitality across sales and marketing, Nielsen will be in charge of handling the total account management for regions east of Chicago in the U.S. Canada.
Nielsen’s career includes a tenure at Virtuoso, where he served as senior account manager. Prior to Virtuoso, he worked for TRAVELSAVERS serving as the point of contact for over 80 travel suppliers.
Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek has named Mallory Goldstein as director of food and beverage outlets. She will be in charge of the five dining outlets at the AAA Diamond property.
With more than a decade in leadership roles in the hospitality industry, Goldstein has previously worked at Westgate Resorts, Hyatt Hotels and Walt Disney World.
1508, the hospitality and residential interior design company, has appointed Scott Miller as regional director of North America. Miller joins from AvroKO, where he served as global director of director since 2016.
He will be leading the teams in New York, Miami and Los Angeles. Miller’s appointment comes at a time when 1508 is looking to strengthen its presence in the U.S. market.
The Grove Resort & Water Park has named Jessica Sherbert as its new director of sales. Prior to her new role, Sherbert served as director of sales and marketing at Marriott Village Orlando for the past four years.
Sherbert has been working in Orlando since 2011 and has held multiple director positions with full-service properties within Hilton and Marriott branded hotels.
APPOINTMENTS AT OMNI HOMESTEAD RESORT
The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va., has expanded its senior leadership team with the following appointments in the culinary, spa, golf and sales departments:
- Chef Michael Zmigrodski has been appointed as executive chef
- Chef Pablo Rodriguez takes on the role of executive pastry chef
- Audrey Zmigrodski assumes the role of spa director
- Tyler Minamyer serves as the golf course superintendent
- Juan Ayala has been named as national sales manager
LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS AT SH HOTELS
SH Hotels & Resorts, which operates 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels and Treehouse Hotels, has appointed several leaders to key roles across the company. The leaders will lead operations at 1 Hotels locations across North America and Treehouse Silicon Valley opening later this year, as well as in Europe, including Treehouse Manchester, also opening this year, and 1 Hotel Copenhagen.
- Bernd Pichler: Area Managing Director, 1 Hotels, New York City
- Catherine Lee: General Manager, 1 Hotel Central Park
- Shadi Omeish: Regional Vice President, West Coast
- Ashley Gochnauer: Area General Manager, 1 Hotel San Francisco and Treehouse Silicon Valley
- Alyssa Robin: General Manager, Treehouse Silicon Valley
- Anthony Campaniaris: General Manager, 1 Hotel Toronto
- Nicholas Gold: Vice President of Operations, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
- Felix Schaller: Area General Manager, 1 Hotels, Europe and General Manager, 1 Hotel Copenhagen
- Spencer Yeo: General Manager, Treehouse Hotel London