Human Resources

📈 HRI Hospitality appoints Lior Sekler as first chief commercial officer. Agilysys, Inc. names Dan Bell VP, North America sales east—hotels. Reeco hires Paul Bennie as VP of sales and customer experience. McNeill Hotel Company promotes Jesse Kremer to VP of hotel operations. Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago Medical District UIC appoints Marlena Karwowski as general manager. Hotel 1000, LXR Hotels & Resorts selects Jeffery Modaff as general manager. Hotel Viata elevates Vincent Lesage to general manager since December 2024. Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth names Thibaut Asso as resort manager. The ART Hotel Denver hires Tharon Weighill as executive chef. Hotel del Coronado appoints Brian Archibald as executive chef. The Horse Shoe Farm selects Brett Suess as chef de cuisine. JW Marriott Scottsdale promotes Eric Duchene to director of food and beverage. Lodging Dynamics Hospitality Group promotes Dan Applegate to VP of finance and Nick Vitolano to director of business development. U.S. Travel Association selects William J. Hornbuckle as board national chair. Casetta appoints Anthony Gutierrez and Santiago LaRoche as general managers. Alila Ventana Big Sur hires Giuseppe Marchesini and Andrew Lauer for culinary leadership. The Westin Dallas and The Sheraton Stonebriar appoint Jamel Taggart and D

🏡 Kempinski Hotels to manage the Nymphenburg Palace Royal Residence in Munich starting March 1. The historic 836-square-meter property includes four bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and a private garden for up to 100 guests. The deal with HRH Prince Luitpold von Bayern furthers Kempinski’s ties to Bavarian royalty. The residence showcases Nymphenburg Porcelain Manufactory pieces and modern art, offering amenities like a 24/7 butler and chauffeured limousine for events and retreats. Kempinski, founded in 1897, operates 78 hotels in 32 countries.

📌 Simon Casson, with no high school or college degree, became CEO of Corinthia Hotels in 2024. Corinthia opened its first U.S. hotel, The Surrey, in New York. Casson's background includes over 30 years at Four Seasons, reaching President of EMEA. Corinthia, founded over 60 years ago, has 10 hotels and will open new locations in Bucharest (March), the Maldives, Riyadh, Qatar, and Malta. The Corinthia Brussels, a $150 million rebuild, opened in December 2024. The upcoming Corinthia Rome is in partnership with the Reuben Brothers. The company has also launched the Verdi Hotels brand in 2024.

🏢 Zain Richardson appointed CEO of ASMALLWORLD, a luxury lifestyle and travel network, starting March. With 20 years of experience, he's held roles at Aero, Aman Group, Marriott, Wyndham, Starwood, and Expedia. His focus: expand ASMALLWORLD's global reach and offerings in luxury travel, leveraging the community's loyalty. Richardson has been a member since 2007 and aims to guide the network's growth as it enters its third decade. Michael Manz, Chairman, emphasizes Richardson's fit for ASMALLWORLD's vision and growth strategy.

🏩 JoAnn Kintzel appointed CEO of M3, the cloud-based financial software for the hospitality industry, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, on February 27, 2025. She succeeds Allen Read, now Executive Principal. Kintzel, former CEO of Procare Solutions, is expected to drive growth under Blackstone's ownership. Allen Read, a foundational M3 employee, has over 30 years of experience and has held multiple roles, including VP of Operations and President. M3 serves over 9,000 entities and has a 95% customer retention rate.

📌 Eric Churchill promoted to COO of Meyer Jabara Hotels, joined the company in 2004, became senior VP of operations in 2013. William Hornbuckle named national chair of the U.S. Travel Association for two years, succeeding Chris Nassetta. Spencer Hux joins The Hermitage Hotel and Keswick Hall as chief sales officer with nearly two decades of experience. Shalon Hopkins appointed senior VP of accounting and finance at Pacifica Hotels, with over 20 years of expertise. Jesse Kremer promoted to VP of hotel operations at McNeill Hotel Company. Brian McCormick joins The Kessler Collection as VP of people and culture, bringing over two decades of experience. Alison Wallace promoted to director of sales, citywide strategy at Hiltons of Chicago Sales and Marketing Complex, effective April 1. Chintan Dadhich named complex general manager for Tempo by Hilton Times Square and Conrad New York Downtown. Adam Gurgiolo appointed GM of Chicago Athletic Association, with 25 years of hospitality experience. Jeffery Modaff becomes GM at Hotel 1000, LXR Hotels & Resorts in Seattle, previously opening hotel manager at Conrad Los Angeles.

📅 In Danbury, Connecticut, Eric Churchill, with a 21-year tenure at Meyer Jabara Hotels, has been promoted from Senior Vice President of Operations to Chief Operating Officer, overseeing portfolio operations. He started with the company in 2004 as General Manager at Courtyard by Marriott Copley Square in Boston, later managing the Providence, Rhode Island, Marriott. His rise through the ranks reflects Meyer Jabara Hotels' culture of leadership and success. A Johnson and Wales University graduate, Churchill’s career includes positions at Harvey DFW Airport and Bristol Hotels and Resorts. He will continue working from Providence, Rhode Island.