Human Resources

🎓 Arundel School in Zimbabwe, founded in May 1955, celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2023. Head of the school since 2021, Kudzayi Shawatu, with over 20 years of leadership experience, seeks to enhance her skills by studying the Executive Master’s in Luxury Management and Guest Experience at Glion. The school, a top academic institution, has 545 pupils, including 230 boarders. Shawatu values the program's flexibility and the opportunity for networking, while advocating for distance education to overcome socio-cultural barriers. She attended a Residential Week in London, considering the 'Implementing a Sustainable Luxury Strategy' module as most valuable.

📌 Candice D'Cruz, Vice President of Luxury Brands at Hilton, was interviewed on the Hospitality Daily Podcast. The interview was published on Feb. 15, 2025, discussing career moves within the hospitality industry.

📆 Makeready appoints Edita Matic as VP of revenue/digital strategy and Dan Paradiso as VP of commercial strategy; Eric Gavin joins as president. Edwardian Hotels London names Declan Lott as VP of sales for North America after his 30-year tenure. Kinseth Hospitality Company promotes Matthew Robinson to corporate F&B director, started in 2014 as chef in Wichita. The Wilde Resort & Spa appoints Tobby Rau as GM with over 30 years of experience. Ascendant Capital Partners' Monterey Beach Hotel welcomes Brock Taylor as GM. Midnight Auteur appoints Frank Savoy as GM of Municipal Grand. The Wigwam's new resort VP of sales/marketing is Jason Bossenberry. The St. Regis Aspen Resort promotes Kim French to director of sales/marketing. Kimpton Claret Hotel names Iona Lee as F&B director. Fairmont Empress introduces Isabel Chung as executive chef, formerly at Fairmont Orchid. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman appoints Michele Tenzone as Blue's chef de cuisine. The Wall Street Hotel announces Prince A. Sanders as GM and Harrison Lipner as director of sales/marketing. Marriott International fills three B2B roles: Shannon Patterson (SVP, global sales), Andy Kauffman (chief commercial officer, US/Canada), and Gail Frazer (SVP, sales/distribution US/Canada). RMS names Adam Seskis as CEO.

🏝 Tapestry Collection by Hilton celebrated its 150th hotel opening in 2024, with first-in-country and territory debuts in Australia, Bonaire, Paraguay, Thailand, and the UAE, spanning 20 countries and territories. The brand grew 50% in two years, from 100 hotels in January 2023 to 150 by January 2025. Jenna Hackett, Hilton's SVP and global category leader, announced Elizabeth Scruggs as the new global brand leader. Tapestry Collection plans over 40 openings worldwide in 2025, with over 60 additional hotels under development beyond 2025.

📖 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor, has been with Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999 and Restaurant Hospitality since 2016. Hosts "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast. Wrote for The New York Sun (2005-2008), Manager magazine, and Asia Times in Thailand (1992-1997). Magna cum laude from Tufts University (1990), studied French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, and Chinese language/history at Nanjing and Beijing Universities (1988-1989). Won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award, inducted into Disciples d’Escoffier (2014). Lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.

📈 Marriott International appointed Shannon Patterson as SVP, Global Sales, succeeding Tammy Routh; Andy Kauffman as Chief Commercial Officer, U.S. and Canada, replacing Julius Robinson; Gail Frazer as SVP, Sales and Distribution, U.S. and Canada, succeeding Brian Gilligan. Prince A. Sanders became The Wall Street Hotel's General Manager, and Harrison Lipner as Director of Sales and Marketing. Declan Lott rejoined Edwardian Hotels London as VP of Sales, North America. Richie Kavanagh was promoted to VP and GM of The Reef Residences at Atlantis Paradise Island. Caribe Royale Orlando Resort named Bryan Gay as Director of Sales and Marketing. Zsuzsa Nagy was appointed Hotel Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills' new GM is Tod Chambers; Terra Palm Springs' new GM is Kurt Englund. The Wilde Resort & Spa appointed Tobby Rau as GM. Cheval Collection welcomed Ian James as a GM for two London properties. Nathan Hanner joined Timbri Hotel San Francisco as GM.

🍕 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor, has been with Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999 and joined Restaurant Hospitality in 2016. He wrote for The New York Sun from 2005 to 2008, and was in Thailand as a journalist from around 1994 to 1997. Thorn's podcast "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" features notable foodservice industry interviews. His education includes a history BA from Tufts University (1990), studying Chinese at Peking University (Spring 1989) and Nanjing University (Fall 1988), as well as French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu (1986). He reported for ABC News during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. Thorn received the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Business Journalism Award and was president of the International Foodservice Editorial Council (IFEC) in 2005. Inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014, Thorn resides in Brooklyn, NY. Contact him at [email protected] and follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

🏩 Philipp Morawietz appointed as Director of Corporate Development at NUMA Group, focusing on market entries, business model extensions, and strategic projects. NUMA operates in 15 European countries, with Morawietz bringing 17 years of experience from hospitality and technology sectors. Previously, he managed departments at Homelike and led corporate development at HRS Group. His expertise aims to accelerate NUMA's international growth and set new industry standards.

📡 Stefanie Wasserfuhr appointed as new VP Commercial at Peakwork. Formerly at alltours as director of marketing and e-Commerce for three years, Wasserfuhr's extensive experience includes nearly two decades at Lufthansa, Germanwings, and Eurowings, culminating as head of tour operator sales & groups at Eurowings. Wasserfuhr joins Peakwork CEO Manuel Saballus on the six-member leadership team, set to drive strategic goals and expand global market reach.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality since 1999, is renowned for identifying F&B trends. He hosted "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast and wrote "Kitchen Dish" for The New York Sun from 2005-2008. Thorn reported on business and F&B in Thailand between 1992-1997, including for Manager magazine and Asia Times. He earned a BA in History from Tufts University in 1990, studied French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and was in China during the 1989 Tiananmen Square events. Thorn won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and was inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014.