LODGING Staff

👨 Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort appoints Stuart Evans as director of sales and marketing following a renovation. Pendy West Hollywood names Mgeni Mpolo for the same role. CordValle hires Alissa O’Briant with 20+ years' experience as their director. Loews Ventana Canyon Resort brings on Ryan Clark with 20+ years' culinary background as executive chef. Hotel La Jolla, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, selects Ernest Lopez as executive chef. Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique, opening spring 2025, appoints Nicolas Piatti as executive chef. Naples Grande Beach Resort designates Jose Garcia as chef de cuisine. Hotel Revival Baltimore announces Jasmine Garland as director of impact. The Shelborne by Proper, opening 2025, appoints Guy Chetwynd as managing director, Mariannie Santiago as general manager, and Oliver Morgan as director of sales and marketing.

🗓 Sandra Keneven was promoted to senior sales executive at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village, Florida, effective January 6, 2025. With nearly 20 years in the industry, primarily with Marriott, Keneven joined the resort in 2022 and led the team to secure the resort's largest client contract, generating over $1.1 million. Keneven, originally from Lithuania, holds an Associate Degree in Hospitality Management from Lakeland Community College, Ohio.

🍴 Nicolas Piatti appointed as Executive Chef at Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique, opening spring 2025. The resort will feature six food and beverage venues, with a signature restaurant offering a monochromatic gastronomy concept. Piatti brings over 20 years of international experience and a commitment to sustainability, sourcing 25% of ingredients locally. Experiences include beef-cutting classes and chocolate sculpting. Collaborations with local farms like Finca La Josefina and Vainilla Mystic Farms highlighted. Piatti is also recognized as a “Food Waste Champion for Americas” and author of a cookbook on locally sourced cuisine.