Human Resources

📣 Joanne Emerson has been appointed as the new marketing, PR & events manager at Focus Travel Partnership, the UK’s leading consortium of independent SME travel management companies. Emerson, with previous roles at Uniglobe Preferred Travel (10 years), American Express GBT (3 years), a leading law firm, and the charity sector, was promoted after joining Focus 18 months ago. This follows the strategic appointments of CEO Steve Banks in June, Victoria Shorrocks for implementation & support, and Lisa Moseling for commercial support earlier in the year. Emerson will lead event curation, continue enhancing the Focus brand, and support TMCs and Suppliers. Shorrocks will bolster digital capabilities, while Moseling will ensure communication and education on suppliers.

🏥 Atlantis Resorts appoints Paul Baker as president, overseeing Atlantis, The Palm; Atlantis The Royal; and Atlantis Sanya. Jennifer Cottgias becomes general manager of The Maven, after leaving Courtyard Portland City Center. Damien Hirsch takes on general manager role at JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa. Louis Shapazian is named general manager at Keswick Hall, bringing 18 years of experience. Derek H. Stutz becomes general manager of Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa with 15 years in the industry. Ildebrando Salazar joins Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa as director of sales and marketing. Mark Shine appointed director of sales and marketing for The ART Hotel Denver, Curio Collection by Hilton, brings 25+ years' experience. Claire Johnsen is named director of sales and marketing at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel. Maria Sifuentes takes on the role of director of sales and marketing at Hotel La Jolla, Curio Collection by Hilton. Fernando Corona Burch becomes executive chef at Rosewood London. Malyna Si appointed as executive chef for Hotel Jackson's culinary concepts, including a new restaurant opening in 2025. Billy Mark joins Sheraton New Orleans Hotel as director of food and beverage, with 30 years of experience. HBX Group fills three executive roles: Xabier Zabala as COO, Javier Cabrerizo as chief strategy and transformation officer, and Brendan

💲 Paul Dahill appointed as managing director of sales for Koddi's EMEA region, bringing over 15 years of commerce media, data, and adtech experience. Koddi, known for commerce media programs, aims to expand in retail and finance sectors. Nicholas Ward, co-founder, sees EMEA ripe for adoption. Dahill, a former Criteo executive, targets growth and privacy-first technologies. Terra Ingalls joins Koddi’s US team, with a background in building sales teams and advancing Walmart's retail media program.

📍 In August, the U.S. restaurant industry added nearly 30,000 jobs, marking a 21% share of the 142,000 total new positions in the economy. Unemployment dipped to 4.2%. The sector now employs 12.4 million, slightly above February 2020's 12.3 million. Full-service still lags 4% behind pre-pandemic levels, while limited-service is up 3%. Despite this growth, 82% of restaurant operators are hiring, seeking chefs (30%), dishwashers (12%), cashiers (7%). Operating costs and labor shortages are top challenges, with 27% of respondents citing costs and 23% labor issues. Toast found 30% of restaurant workers might leave within two years, though the quit rate is below the pre-pandemic average.

🎓 Chris Cheney promoted to Senior Vice President of Commercial Services at Stonebridge Companies, LLC in Denver, Colorado. Cheney joined the company in 2007, served as a general manager, and became director of revenue management in 2011. Under his leadership, 77% of Stonebridge hotels achieved or exceeded 100% market share penetration, with an average market share of 109%. His industry roles include HSMAI boards and the Denver Tourism Improvement District Board, with an education in international business and music from Friends University.

📅 Accor appointed Benoît Racle as global brand president-premium and Jean-Yves Minet as global brand president-midscale and economy. Atlantis Resorts named Paul Baker as the president of Atlantis, The Palm, and Atlantis The Royal. SH Hotels & Resorts appointed Jonathan Heath as executive VP of F&B and hotel operations. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts announced Juan Carlos Cardona Aquino as managing director of Rosewood Mandarina, opening in early 2025. The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel welcomed Claire Johnsen as director of sales and marketing. Zeal Hotels appointed John Wagner as a non-executive director, ahead of voco Zeal Exeter Science Park's opening in January 2025. Penta Hotels promoted Riccardo Calà to director of marketing. The InterContinental Mark Hopkins promoted Jennifer Dunn to hotel manager. Rosewood London hired Fernando Corona Burch as executive chef. YOTEL Washington DC appointed Robert Weland as executive chef. JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa named Damien Hirsch as general manager. Terry Buchholz became GM of The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills. Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection in Costa Rica, appointed Koen Masschelein as GM, and Keswick Hall welcomed Louis Shapazian as GM.

🍴 Alexandre Laforce Reynolds, former head chef at Eline in Shoreditch, joins Bistro Freddie in October 2023. Reynolds, aged 31, has over a decade of experience in London's fine dining, including Hide, Fenchurch, and Seven Park Place, and opened Eline in summer 2022, which closed in May. Bistro Freddie, part of HAM Restaurants, launched in October 2023 on Luke Street, Shoreditch. Reynolds introduces new dishes like Loch Duart salmon, beef tartare, and a French île flottante dessert.

🍴 Fernando Corona Burch appointed to oversee food and drink at Rosewood London's Holborn Dining Room, Mirror Room, Scarfes Bar, in-room dining, and banqueting. With over 20 years' experience in the hospitality industry, his background includes Michelin-starred restaurants and leadership roles within Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, such as executive chef at Rosewood Hong Kong and Beijing, director of culinary operations at Rosewood Phnom Penh and Beijing. Recently, executive chef at the pre-opening of Park Hyatt Los Cabos, Mexico. Rosewood London's Managing Director, Tessa Gorman, praises his expertise and vision for their culinary team.

🍽 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, reports on food and beverage trends and has been with NRN since 1999. He hosted a podcast, wrote for The New York Sun from 2005-2008, lived in Thailand writing about business and food for Manager magazine and Asia Times (1992-1997), and worked for ABC News during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Thorn, a magna cum laude Tufts University graduate and Phi Beta Kappa member, also studied French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu Paris. He joined the Restaurant Hospitality staff in 2016, won a 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award, was an IFEC president in 2005, and authored entries in food encyclopedias. Inducted into Disciples d'Escoffier in 2014, Thorn resides in Brooklyn, NY.

🏠 Jeff Toscano appointed CEO of Aspen Hospitality. John A. Rubino named CEO of Extreme Hospitality, overseeing a $6.8 billion portfolio with 300+ hotels. Karoline Hoff becomes managing director at Up Norway, with founder Torunn Tronsvang as chief experience officer. Cendyn appoints Jeffrey A. Cross as CFO. Steve Mackenzie promoted to EVP of hotel operations at Peachtree Group. The Diplomat Beach Resort's new leadership team has 100 years of combined experience. Lee Rekas joins as area director of sales and marketing for Pier House Resort & Spa and La Concha Key West. Beth Ardron becomes sales and marketing director at voco Zeal Exeter Science Park. Gregg Fracassa and Stefan Peroutka take on general manager roles at Viewline Resort Snowmass and Bahia Resort, respectively.