Ed Walls

Château Élan Winery & Resort, a 16th-century-styled château and full-service winery in Braselton, Ga., appointed Ed Walls as GM. In this role, Walls will be responsible for managing the resort's day-to-day success, overseeing all operational aspects, including everything from sales and marketing to food & beverage, while maximizing company revenue.

With more than 39 years of hospitality experience, Walls most recently served as the general manager for the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Fla. Other previous roles include director of operations and area managing director for Arden Hotels, Boykin Management, Hilton Hotels Worldwide and Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Walls received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Florida and a master's degree from the American University in Washington, D.C.

Château Élan Winery & Resort is located 40 minutes north of Atlanta. On the estate sits a 16th-century-styled French château with a full-service winery and tasting bar, an inn and conference center, a 35,000-square-foot European spa and more. The winery and resort is owned by an affiliate of Wheelock Street Capital and managed by HEI Hotels & Resorts, while Troon manages the golf experience.