(New York, NY) | The global hotel group, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts has announced key executive changes aimed at better coordinating and enhancing sales and marketing efforts in the U.S., U.K. and Europe.

  • Karyn Marasco has been appointed as Regional Managing Director, UK and Europe, in which she will oversee hotel operations of 47 Le Méridien properties throughout the UK and across The Continent. Marasco joined Le Méridien in December 2001 as Regional Managing Director, Americas/Caribbean, and was promoted in March 2003 to Regional Managing Director, Americas/Caribbean, UK and Ireland, a position she held until her most recent appointment. She will be based in London corporate headquarters, travelling extensively throughout the UK and European region.
  • Brian Jones has been appointed Vice President, Global Sales for Le Méridien, in which he will be responsible for all of global hotel group's corporate sales efforts. Jones joined Le Méridien in July 2002 as Vice President of Sales, Americas, a position he held until his recent appointment. In his new position, Jones will oversee the efforts of Le Méridien's Regional Vice Presidents of Sales, including coordinating all of the hotel group's corporate sales efforts with the needs and efforts of on-property sales teams. He will be based in New York.
  • Lisa Impagliazzo has been appointed Area General Manager, East Coast, Americas, as well as General Manager of Le Royal Méridien King Edward Toronto. Impagliazzo joined the global hotel group in 2002 as Vice President of Operations, Americas in Le Méridien's New York Regional Office. Prior, Impagliazzo's portfolio boasts over 20 years of experience spanning from coast-to-coast-working in both California and New Jersey as General Manager for both Marriott and Hilton Hotels. She also served as Director of Operations within a regional capacity for Starwood Hotels and Resorts. In her new position, Impagliazzo will not only be responsible for Le Royal Méridien King Edward, but as Area General Manager for Le Méridien properties in Montreal, Miami, St. Martin, Guadeloupe, Rio de Janeiro and Guyana. She will be based in Toronto.
  • In a new hire, John Strozdas has been appointed Area General Manager of West Coast, Americas as well as General Manager of Le Méridien at Beverly Hills. A seasoned professional with more than two decades experience in the hospitality and restaurant industries, Strozdas will not only be responsible for Le Méridien at Beverly Hills, but as Area General Manager for Le Méridien properties in New York, Minneapolis, Chicago, Palm Springs and Cancun. Prior to joining Le Méridien, Strozdas enjoyed varied hospitality management career, including work with ResidenSea and others through his own private management consulting service; as Vice President of Operations, Americas with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group; as General Manager of Westwood Marquis Hotel and Gardens; as General Manager of Beverly Prescott Hotel, and more. He will be based in Los Angeles.

About Le Méridien - London-based Le Méridien is a global hotel group with a portfolio of more than 130 luxury and upscale hotels in 56 countries worldwide. The majority of its properties are located in the world's top cities and resorts throughout Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. The company also enjoys a strategic alliance with JAL-owned Nikko Hotels, providing loyal guests access to an additional 44 properties around the world. .