Appointments

Rita Joshi has been appointed as Director of Finance at JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort

Rita Joshi joins JW Marriott, Anaheim Resort with more than 26 years of hospitality experience. Joshi was the Director of Finance at Renaissance Long Beach and previously worked as Senior Assistant Director of Finance at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa. Additionally, Joshi worked as Room Service Operator at Rancho Las Palmas and Assistant Controller at Fremont Marriott Silicon Valley.

Rachid Benwahmane has been appointed as Group Director of Finance in MENA at Minor International (MINT) in United Arab Emirates

Benwahmane has experience in hospitality-focused project management, as well as strategic business skills in resorts and high-end hotels. In his two decade career, he has worked across both Europe and the Middle East. His previous position was as group finance director in the hospitality division at MERAAS. He has also worked with Marriott International for close to a decade, entering as deputy director of finance in Spain before become director of finance in France.

Chris Dunne has joined Atrium Hospitality as CFO

With more than 20 years of hospitality operations finance experience, Dunne joins Atrium to serve as the company's senior financial executive to lead accounting and finance disciplines in the newly created CFO role on Atrium's executive team. His primary responsibilities will include oversight of the corporate and hotel accounting, treasury, tax, payroll, IT and procurement platforms for Atrium's portfolio of assets under management comprised of 84 hotels and 20,897 guest rooms/suites in 28 states. Since 2014, Atrium Hospitality has been one of the fastest-growing hotel management companies in the United States. Atrium is ranked as the seventh-largest management company (ranked by gross annual revenue end of 2018) in the Hotel Business® Green Book 2020.

Peter Conboy has been named Director of Finance at Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island

In his new position, Conboy is responsible for directing th e financial operations of the AAA Four Diamond-rated resort, which includes overseeing the resort's accounting staff; managing receivables, payables, and payroll; negotiating contracts; and preparing financial statements and analyses of hotel operations.Conboy joins the 11-acre resort from Wild Dunes Resort near Charleston, South Carolina, where he served as the Director of Finance for nearly four years. His extensive hospitality industry accounting and finance experience also includes serving for 13 years as Controller and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club in Lenox, Massachusetts; Director of Finance & Accounting for Chateau Élan Winery & Resort in Braselton, Georgia for eight years; and Controller at Columbia Marriott Hotel in Columbia, South Carolina. He received his Accounting education from Pace University in New York City, and a Bachelor of Science from the School of Hospitality Management from Florida International Univer sity in Miami, Florida.

Dahiana Alvarez has been appointed as Director of Accounts. at Mr. C Miami-Coconut Grove

Dahiana Alvarez joins Mr. C Miami-Coconut Grove as Director of Accounts for Corporate Traveler and Groups accounts with an extensive operational and sales experience with many hotel brands including Marriott International, Melia Hotels and Menin Hospitality. With over 17 years of experience in the industry, her passion includes delivering impactful results and building long term relationships with clients.

Rory Lowe has been appointed as VP of Finance at Virgin Hotels in Philadelphia

Rory Lowe will also be joining the Virgin Hotels team from Two Roads Hospitality, where he previously served as Vice President of Finance overseeing Canada and the Eastern and Central United States. At Virgin Hotels, Lowe will work directly with other senior leaders to drive profitability at Virgin Hotels and provide financial leadership for all forthcoming openings. In his role at Two Roads Hospitality, Lowe oversaw the complex integration of their portfolio onto Hyatt's financial platforms and shared services environment. Prior to his years with Two Roads Hospitality, Lowe held several finance and food & beverage leadership roles with both Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and Marriott International. Lowe holds an MBA from Cornell University.

Raúl Ramírez has been promoted to SVP of International Strategic Planning And Global Head Of Financial Planning And Analysis at Choice Hotels International, Inc.

In this expanded capacity, Ramírez will lead the financial and strategic long-range planning organizations for Choice's international division as well as the global financial planning and analysis and revenue assurance organizations. Additionally, Ramírez will assume oversight for Choice's corporate development and strategic investment efforts outside the U.S. and also provide leadership to the international division's finance market leads. He will continue to report to Dominic Dragisich, chief financial officer, Choice Hotels.

Fernanda Petto has been appointed as Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis at CWT in America

CWT, the B2B4E travel management platform, has appointed Fernanda Petto as Vice President of Financial Planning & Analysis, to its dedicated Finance Leadership team. She will report into Michelle Frymire, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer who joined the business in January. This new appointment will see Robyn lead the global accounting and control organization and Fernanda will lead corporate financial planning and analysis. Before joining CWT, Fernanda was at Mosaic, where she was the Director of Corporate FP&A for the past seven years. Prior to this, she spent six years at General Mills Inc, where she held several financial leadership positions. She brings to the business significant multi-industry experience, having worked for companies such as Avaya, Cisco Systems and BankBoston.

Robyn Arnell has been appointed as Senior Vice President & Chief Accounting Officer at CWT in America

CWT, the B2B4E travel management platform, has appointed Robyn Arnell Brenden as Senior Vice President & Chief Accounting Officer, to its dedicated Finance Leadership team. She will report into Michelle Frymire, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer who joined the business in January. This new appointment will see Robyn lead the global accounting and control organization and Fernanda will lead corporate financial planning and analysis.

Brad Hayden has joined sbe as VP Hotel Finance

Brad Hayden has joined sbe, as Vice President, Hotel Finance. Brad will oversee and direct the finance operations of sbe's growing portfolio of hotels and residences, as well as the restaurants and nightlife venues operating within the properties. Brad's experience includes over 30 years of hospitality finance leadership, ranging from on-property accounting functions, to the Chief Financial Officer of an independent, non-branded hotel management company, with over 30 assets under management. His professional history includes over 10 years with the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, as well as tenure with Destination Hotels & Resorts, Benchmark Hospitality and Faena Hotels & Residences.