Human Resources

📢 William Dvoranchik becomes VP of Finance at Terranea Resort, overseeing financial operations. Liz Martinez is named General Manager of KLN at Hotel Heron, handling guest service and dining. Mike Kass takes over as General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, leading a team of 250+. Nazaret Carbonari, with a summer start, is the new General Manager of Waldorf Astoria Cancun, improving guest experience and operations for the 173-room hotel. Antonio Bugarin, with 30 years' experience, oversees the 264-room Hilton Los Cabos as General Manager. Siiri Lobe joins Sheraton Denver Downtown as Director of Sales and Marketing, with 20 years in the field. Tamika Weiss moves to The Elizabeth Hotel as Director of Sales and Marketing. Louis Martin directs food and beverage at Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs. Jessica Bingham manages a 10-person party team as Executive Pastry Chef at Caribe Royale Orlando. Juliette Granon becomes Director of Communications for Rosewood Sào Paulo. Jennifer Goodman is the new Weddings and Events Manager at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar. Sabrina Cendral is appointed VP of Brand Marketing for Unique Vacations, handling Sandals and Beaches Resorts. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City appoints JV Hernandez and Josh Bolden, each with over 15 years of experience, to lead its food and beverage

🏥 Neil Swanson replaces Andrew Flintham as managing director of Tui UK & Ireland, following Flintham's move to British Airways Holidays as managing director in late October. Swanson, who joined Tui in 2001, was previously chief marketing officer starting June last year. Tui Group's restructuring introduces a new operational model to enhance growth, focusing on classic and dynamic packages and increasing personalized offers. The transformation aims to scale the business globally and improve efficiency and profits, under the leadership of Markets + Airline chief executive David Schelp. Tui reported double-digit growth in underlying EBIT for the eighth consecutive quarter in August.

🏦 Windsor Aughtry Company selects Hospitality America to manage Hotel Avail, Tapestry Collection by Hilton in Rogers, Arkansas, set to open Q2 2025. The 170-room hotel will feature a rooftop restaurant (Oak Steakhouse), café, lobby bar, meeting space, and fitness center. This deal is Windsor Aughtry's 16th development project with Hospitality America, increasing its managed hotels to 21, including 14 Hilton brands. The hotel, located in the Pinnacle uptown area, will cater to both thrill seekers and business travelers. Hospitality America aims to grow from 17 to 40 hotels in under 10 years, with CEO Ben Campbell targeting at least 25 properties in the next 24-36 months.

🏨 Rob Smith, with 30 years of experience, became President/CEO of Stonebridge Companies in July, succeeding founder Navin Dimond (1991). Stonebridge, a Denver-based hotel operator, recently doubled its portfolio to roughly 160 hotels through the acquisition of Real Hospitality in May. They manage properties across the U.S. for 61 owners and have an ownership entity with 15 assets. Smith's vision includes being a leading third-party operator, focusing on accountability, excellence, and diversified growth. Prior acquisitions included a 1,200-key, five-hotel portfolio and expansion into new markets such as Phoenix, North Carolina, and Georgia.

🏨 Daniel C. Peek has joined JLL as president of its Americas region, boasting nearly $60 billion in career transactions. Based in Tampa, he'll collaborate with CEO Mark Gibson and Kevin Davis to enhance client relations and financial strategies. Christophe Thomas is Aethos' new COO, aiming to refine the brand's strategic direction and operations. Andaz Prague makes two key appointments with Axel Ziegler as GM and Christopher Koleros as Director of Sales and Marketing. The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok gears up for its November opening with six executive hires, including Tina Liu as GM. Pendry Washington DC-The Wharf names Amanda Santiago as Director of Sales and Marketing. Nicole Di Maio-Kennedy joins EOS Hospitality as VP of Revenue Maximization, bringing over two decades of experience. Edmund Richardson advances at Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club, aiming to enhance the resort's operations. Hilton appoints Antonio Bugarin as GM of Hilton Los Cabos, and Sabrina Graves takes the helm as GM at B Ocean Resort in Fort Lauderdale. Pedro Dias becomes GM of El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, and Mali Carow is announced as GM at Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale.

📖 Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor at Informa's Restaurant & Food Group since August 2021, has over seven years of specialized experience in restaurant and hospitality industry journalism. She holds a bachelor's degree from The College of New Jersey and a master's from CUNY's Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. Her past roles include Associate and Assistant Editor at Informa (July 2019-August 2021), Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter, and positions at Insider and The Daily Meal. Joanna is also known for her contributions to The New York Times, Forbes, and Vice.

🚀 Oojo, an online travel booking service, plans to launch in Germany by the end of the month, aiming for global expansion across the US, Canada, the UK, and more. Targeting a growth of at least 30% year-over-year in sales, Oojo maintains a Net Promoter Score (NPS) above 60 to ensure customer loyalty. By the end of 2026, the company seeks to be present in over 10 countries while limiting employee headcount growth to less than 10% annually. Technological scalability and market adaptability are identified as key challenges.

🎭 Ewan Venters, former CEO of Fortnum & Mason, left Artfarm amid concerns the Groucho Club is 'going corporate'. The Soho-based club, acquired by Artfarm in 2022, sparked member concerns over cultural 'destruction'. Artfarm, run by Swiss investors Iwan and Manuela Wirth since Venters joined in 2021, expanded with a Yorkshire sister site and several other hospitality ventures. Venters will exit by January next year, pending a replacement. Recent expansions include Da Costa in Bruton, following the Audley Public House and Fish Shop in Ballater.

🍝 Otto & Pepe, Miami’s first pasta bar by Gabriela Chiriboga and Samuel Ghouzi, opened on September 12 in Wynwood Art District. The 147-seat venue was designed by Saladino Design Studio, featuring house-made pastas and natural wines. Menu by Michelin-starred chef Viviana Varese, with wine expert Karina Iglesias and mixologist Matias Iriarte. The menu offers four categories: red sauce pasta, white sauce pasta, more pasta, and not pasta, plus desserts like tiramisu and brioche with gelato.

📆 BWH Hotels appointed Harry Dong as President and CEO for China (including Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan), Mongolia, and Nepal, following a 16-year tenure with the company, previously serving in procurement, quality analysis, and project development. He succeeds his father, William Dong. Harry will oversee 10 hotels in the region and future property development, leveraging BWH’s 19 brands and global distribution, loyalty programs, and quality assurance.