Human Resources

📓 BWH Hotels elected Steve Wahrlich as board chairperson for 2025, with 40+ years in hospitality. Pendry West Hollywood hired Mgeni Mpolo, with 20+ years of experience, as director of sales and marketing. Vakkaru Maldives welcomed Janice Tan as VP of commercial for Europe and Scandinavia, after her 2020-2023 stint as director. Stonebridge Companies appointed Marco Selva as SVP in Miami for luxury expansion. Ritz-Carlton Maldives added Sandrine Boutin as director of sales and marketing, with 24 years of experience. Pandox (AB) announced Mikael Hultqvist as SVP property management starting June 2025. Steigenberger Hotels made multiple appointments: Friedrich von Schönfeldt (Frankfurter Hof), Florian Woithe (Hamburg), Charlotte Holtmann (Leipzig). Capella Hotel Group's global expansion included Anthony Gill (Patina Maldives), Dennis Laubenstein (Capella Taipei), Antonio Saponara (Capella Bangkok), and Hildegard Anzenberger (Capella Hanoi). Hotel Drover named Aaron Ide as GM and promoted Kristin Assad to COO at Exchange Hotels Management.

🌇 In Fairfax, Virginia, The St. Anthony, a historic luxury hotel in San Antonio, appointed Crescent Hotels & Resorts as its new management company, with Sid Greehey announced as Managing General Partner of the ownership group. Opened in 1909, the hotel boasts a rooftop infinity pool and proximity to city attractions like the Alamo. The property features upscale dining, including the Gallery On the Park and an award-winning restaurant, and the once exclusive The St. Anthony Club.

📍 Hostaway's 2024 STR Market Report shows property managers' top challenge is growth and scaling, overtaking technology concerns. Climate-related issues emerged significantly, being mentioned 24 times more than the previous year, accounting for 8% of surveyed managers' concerns. Economic volatility dropped out of the top eight concerns. Over half of the managers now employ AI in daily operations, with dynamic pricing increasing by nearly 45%. The report surveyed over 300 managers from 51 countries, indicating a shift towards operational resilience and adaptability.

🏨 In Phoenix, Arizona, Steve Wahrlich was elected Board Chairperson of BWH Hotels for 2025, following over 40 years with the company. Larry Cuculic, President and CEO, highlights Wahrlich's extensive industry experience and strategic leadership. Wahrlich owns Best Western Plus® Clocktower Inn in Billings, Montana since 1966 and Best Western Plus Hilltop in Redding, California since 1977, both properties consistently recognized for excellence. Additionally, he contributes to local community healthcare and hospitality associations and resides in Billings with his family.

🍴 Gianna Smutzki promoted to Executive Chef at Hotel Hartness in Greenville, South Carolina. With 12+ years in fine dining, Smutzki will manage culinary programming across the hotel's 16,000 square feet event space and oversee Patterson Kitchen + Bar plus additional dining venues. Smutzki's expertise includes French cuisine, seafood, and plant-based dishes, with a focus on sustainability and local produce from Hartness farm. Hotel Hartness is a luxury accommodation next to a 180-acre nature preserve.

🏨 Aaron Ide appointed as Hotel Drover's new general manager in Fort Worth, Texas. Kristin Assad promoted to COO at Exchange Hotels Management, overseeing operations in the Stockyards. Hotel Drover, a 200-room urban resort, acclaimed by Travel + Leisure, boasts Michelin Key recognition. Ide, a 25-year veteran, previously managed Thompson Dallas and contributed to Forbes 5 Star status at Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara. Assad, with over two decades of luxury hospitality experience, will enhance service across Stockyards Heritage Development Co.'s properties.

📌 Stonebridge Companies appoints Marco Selva as senior VP, focusing on expanding luxury portfolio in Southeastern US, Caribbean, Latin America. W Scottsdale welcomes back David J. Cronin as GM with 30+ years of hospitality experience. Hotel Effie Sandestin names Jennifer Lombard Knight as GM to oversee hotel operations. Walker & Dunlop adds Carter Gradwell as senior director, who brings $1.2 billion in sales and 12+ years of capital markets experience. Davidson Hospitality Group appoints Brad Barnett as SVP and promotes Michael Yousif to SVP. Limelight Hotels appoints Joseph Steiskal as GM of upcoming Limelight Boulder.

🏁 Victoria Self joins On the Beach Group board as an independent non-executive director on February 3, replacing David Kelly who departs January 10 after a nine-year tenure. Self brings over 25 years of experience from senior roles at leading digital and consumer companies, including Entain, comparethemarket.com, and major retailers. The change comes as the company aims to expand its market presence and offerings.

📢 Brad Barnett appointed SVP, Sales at Pivot, Davidson Hospitality Group in Atlanta, Georgia, with 25+ years of experience. Previously SVP at HRI Lodging with a $230M, 25-hotel portfolio, generated $1B in revenue. Michael Yousif promoted to SVP, Acquisitions & Business Development; involved in $3.5B transaction volume and 40+ management contracts since 2010. Both hold B.A. degrees, Barnett from Northern Arizona University, Yousif from Michigan State University.

🏨 D-EDGE Hospitality Solutions appoints Damini Lykidi Diehl as Chief Commercial Officer for EMEA. With 20+ years in sales and business development, including at Google, Damini joins the Executive Committee to drive growth and expand hotel tech solutions in Europe and Asia-Pacific.