Fairmont Hotels

TORONTO – Fairmont is pleased to announce several recent management and supervisory-level appointments at its properties worldwide. These include:

Mark Huntley, who takes on the role of regional vice president & general manager, Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park. Huntley brings a wealth of hotel management experience to this position, having joined the company 25 years ago, and has held a series of progressive positions throughout Fairmont's North American portfolio over the course of his career.

Alexa Ponchietti, who joins the company as director, global accounts – Italy & Southern Europe.  Most recently, Ponchietti was global account manager, meetings & incentives – UK & Scandinavia. In her new role, she will be based in Italy and will focus on the MICE market, while also supporting Fairmont's sister brands Swissôtel and Raffles.

Christina Reinhold, who takes on the role of director, global accounts, business travel and consortia - Germany, Austria & Switzerland. Based in Frankfurt, Reinhold most recently served as global account manager, business travel & consortia.

The Fairmont Dallas welcomes Michael Musarra to the role of general manager. Beginning his career in 1989, Musarra has worked all over North America and heads to the Lone Star state from his most recent position as hotel manager, The Fairmont San Francisco.

Rick Corcoran, who has been named general manager, The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. Beginning his career as a second cook, he has moved around the hospitality industry in a variety of progressive roles, most recently acting as hotel manager, The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

Christophe Le Chatton, who takes on the role of hotel manager, Fairmont Peace Hotel, Shanghai. Joining the company in early 2000 as the executive assistant manager/director of food & beverage at The Fairmont Royal York, Le Chatton has held a series of top management roles at a variety of Fairmont hotels throughout North America.

Aali Ghufran, who takes on the role of director, global accounts – business travel & consortia. With over 10 years of experience, Ghufran will be based in the company's London Global Sales office and will focus on building the brand's business travel and consortia business worldwide.

Joining the company in the role of director, global accounts, meetings & incentives UK, Netherlands & Scandinavia, is Peter Groom. With a group sales background, Groom joins the company from his most recent role as regional sales manager at a boutique hotel chain.

Joining the soon-to-open Fairmont Baku, Azerbaijan as director of operations is Francis Desjardins. A longtime Fairmont colleague, Desjardins brings over 15 years of experience to the position and most recently held the role of director, rooms at Fairmont Singapore.

Fairmont Makati, which will open later this year, welcomes Eugene Tamesis, as director, sales & marketing. Beginning his career in corporate sales at a luxury hotel in Manila, Tamesis has held a series of progressive hospitality positions around South East Asia and arrives in the Philippines from Thailand.

Heading to Switzerland from Monte Carlo, Karim El-Rami takes on the role of director, sales & marketing, Fairmont Le Montreux Palace. Having begun his hospitality career at a small hotel in London, El-Rami has moved through a series of progressive positions at iconic hotels worldwide.

Dana Hauser has been appointed executive chef, The Fairmont Waterfront, Vancouver, and becomes the brand's first female executive chef. Having worked at various Fairmont locations, Hauser brings extensive experience, most recently as the acting executive chef at The Fairmont Royal York.

Fairmont Palm Jumeirah, Dubai opens its kitchen to John Cordeaux, who has been appointed executive chef. Having perfected his culinary arts worldwide, Cordeaux brings his skills to the hotel after acting as executive chef Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi.

New to Fairmont is Philippe Joannes, who joins the kitchens of Fairmont Monte Carlo as executive chef. A native to the French culinary industry, Joannes has worked in some of the highest rated establishments including two restaurants that have earned a coveted Michelin Star.

Joining the kitchens of Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, Switzerland is Frederic Breuil as executive chef. Starting his career in France, Breuil has gained extensive culinary experience worldwide having worked in kitchens from Jakarta to Beirut to Warsaw, and arrives in Switzerland from his most recent role as executive chef at a major hotel in Abu Dhabi.

ABOUT FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which will arrive in destinations as diverse as Jaipur, Kyiv and Manila in 2012, is a celebrated collection of more than 60 luxury properties around the globe, including Shanghai's Fairmont Peace Hotel, The Plaza in New York, and Makkah Clock Royal Tower in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The luxury brand's distinctive hotels offer a sense of heritage and sophistication, warm, engaging service and culturally rich experiences. A community and environmental leader, Fairmont is also recognized internationally for its responsible tourism practices and award-winning Green Partnership program. Fairmont is owned by FRHI Holdings Limited, a leading global hotel company with over 100 hotels under the Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel brands. The company also manages Fairmont, Raffles and Swissôtel branded luxury private residences club, whole-ownership residences and serviced residences properties. For more information or reservations, please call 1-800-441-1414 or visit fairmont.com.

Lori Holland
212-715-7098
FRHI