Ajman Hotel has appointed Hatem Gaafar as the new director of training and development. The Egyptian national will bring more than 15 years of experience in training, education and development to his new role at Blazon Hotels' first property in Ajman.
Choice Hotels International has promoted Angelique Kelly-Lara to VP of global talent acquisition. She has been a member of the hospitality group's human resources team since 2014, most recently serving as senior director of human resources. Prior to joining Choice Hotels, she held leadership positions at McDonald's Corporation, most recently serving as director, human resources and employee relations for the U.S. business. Earlier in her career, she held similar positions at Aramark Corporation, Banker's Life and Casualty Company.
Atlanta-based Hotel Equities recently named Toi Brown as the Corporate Director of Human Resources for the firm with more than 100 hotels in 23 states and Canada.
Centara Hotels & Resorts has appointed Rujapa Hamnilrat as vice president Human Resources. Hamnilrat has over 20 years of experience in human resources in consulting, general administration and organisational development for leading companies such as Accenture, Kimberly-Clark, and Robert Bosch.
The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Southern California's iconic landmark hotel, appoints seasoned hospitality professional, Robin Gamino as Director of Human Resources. In her role, Gamino will oversee recruitment, operations management, employee relations, training and development and benefits administration. She will serve on the hotel's Executive Committee supporting the hotel's mission, vision and values.
Greystone Hotels, an independent hotel and hospitality management company, appointed Jennifer Colvin as its new corporate director of human resources. Colvin has more than 12 years of human resources experience in the hospitality industry, bringing to Greystone Hotels an expertise centered around the constant improvement of company culture, employee retention and brand-wide operations and initiatives. Eric Horodas, president of Greystone Hotels, made the announcement.
Interstate Hotels & Resorts – the leading U.S.-based global hotel management company – announces the appointment of Carrie David as chief human resources officer. Carrie is responsible for leading all aspects of the human resources team, developing an exceptional organizational culture while providing tools, training, and career development for associates around the globe.
With more than 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Marisa Galdi joins Miraval Group as director of talent and culture where she oversees all aspects of the human resources function with an emphasis on colleague engagement.
New Director of Human Resources Sonia Rollins joins the InterContinental San Francisco team from Meadowood Resort & Spa in Napa Valley. She brings more than 15 years of director level experience in human resources to her new position working with hotels like the Claremont Hotel & Spa in Berkeley and its 700 employees to the Pan Pacific Hotel with an employee base of 250. She spent more than ten years with Le Meridien Hotel in San Francisco as Director of Human Resources where she saw the hotel through a brand transition, worked with the hotel’s 230 employees, and served on the Executive Committee Board supporting the hotel’s mission, vision, and values. Outside of the hotel industry, Sonia has worked with the Bay Club Company as Corporate Director of Human Resources, overseeing 23 locations between Northern and Southern California.
RAR Hospitality has promoted Julie Inman to Director of Human Resources. Inman has an impressive background in human resources, most recently having worked as the Human Resources Director at Smith & Noble Home in Corona, California and as the Human Resources Manager at Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa for Pacific Hospitality Group. Her colleagues cite her critical thinking skills and enthusiasm as positive additions to the workplace.
Norberg assumed her position with Loews Hotels & Co after serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of RLH Corporation, where she was responsible the strategy and execution, to ensure achievement of the company’s growth strategy and transformative human capital initiatives.
Yasmine Farouk has been appointed as the new cluster director of human resources for Hilton Abu Dhabi and Hilton Al Ain.
In December, Siri Wikander will start as Director of People Growth at Scandic. Siri has worked for many years within digitalization, communication and sustainability and comes most recently from a position as Head of People & Culture at Hemfrid.
The Arora Group has appointed Marcelo Mendonca as Talent and Culture Manager in a newly created role to drive recruitment, planning and activity at one of the UK’s largest private hotel owner operators. Marcelo will be responsible for working alongside the Arora Group’s senior management team to manage recruitment, succession planning and youth strategy activities including work experience, internships and graduate schemes.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Karen LaRue director of human resources for Stonewall Resort, a Benchmark Resorts & Hotels property located in Roanoke, West Virginia. André D’Amour, general manager, made the announcement. Karen LaRue comes to her new position with more than 15 years of progressive experience in human resources. Ms. LaRue brings a diverse Human Resources background to her new role, having held positions in the Hospitality, Manufacturing and Banking sectors. She was most recently a human resources consultant at the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority in Roanoke, Virginia.
Andrei Karpovich has joined the Amwaj Rotana hotel at Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) as director of human resources.
Concord Hospitality, a leading hospitality owner, manager and developer, is pleased to announce the promotion of Lila Hedlund to VP of HR Operations. Lila began her career in the hospitality industry with Marriott, opening several hotels while cross training in operations. After joining Concord in 2009, she has risen through the HR ranks while simultaneously staying engaged with her local community in organizations like Kiwanis and Yahero Kids USA.
BENCHMARK®, a global hospitality company, has named Rebecca Lamson director of human resources for The Essex – a Culinary Resort & Spa, a Gemstone Collection property located minutes from downtown Burlington in the foothills of the legendary Green Mountains. Nic Barger, general manager, made the announcement.
Aimbridge Hospitality, the nation’s largest and most recognized independent hotel investment and management firm, named Ann Christenson as its newest Senior Vice President of Human Resources.
Vanessa Paul returns to Mainsail Lodging & Development as corporate director of human resources. Paul served as human resources manager at Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina shortly after its opening, and has more than 18 years of experience working in human resources. In her new role, Paul will be responsible for developing and managing all human resource and training aspects of the pre-opening and opening of newly constructed hotels within Mainsail’s portfolio. Paul has a post graduate diploma from the University of Westminster in London.