Human Resources

🗓 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.

🍴 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality since 1999, has been spotlighting F&B trends. Host of "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn," he wrote for The New York Sun (2005-2008), and earlier, covered business in Thailand for Manager magazine and Asia Times (1992-1997). A Tufts University magna cum laude graduate and Phi Beta Kappa member, Thorn also attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and studied Chinese in China. He won the 2006 Neal Award and was inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014.

🍴 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.

📌 Hospitality America names Kellie Hanselman VP of Sales, boasting 19 years of experience. Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island appoints Maggie Miller as Sales and Marketing Coordinator, focusing on digital marketing for resort events and packages. Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin welcomes Travis Breen with 24 years in hospitality as Director of Sales, Marketing & Events. The Seagate in Florida hires Pablo Valencia and Adam Moreira for the 2025-opening Bourbon Steak Delray Beach. Sonesta Resorts St Maarten employs Eddy Loomans as Resort Manager. Hotel Hartness promotes Gianna Smutzki to Executive Chef. AC Hotel Pasadena, opening in February 2025, appoints Ben Spaulding as General Manager and Kristin Shelton as Director of Sales and Marketing.

🏡 The Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle has been acquired by Trinity Investments. The hotel, opened in 1924, offers 450 rooms, and is near Amazon, Disney, Starbucks, and attractions like the Seattle Convention Center. It recently underwent a $22 million renovation. Trinity, with over $730 million invested in hospitality this year, plans to renovate the guest rooms last updated in 2016. This purchase is Trinity's 11th U.S. hotel transaction since 2021.