Richard Gere, the popular Hollywood actor, has been named 2011 ambassador of Relais & Chateaux group of luxury hotels and restaurants, which has also added Gere-owned Bedford Post, an eight-room luxury inn located north of New York City, to the Relais & Chateaux group. The fact that Richard Gere has been in hospitality business for long, his association with the Relais & Châteaux will be beneficial for both, feel industry experts.
Grand Hyatt New York announced today the appointment of Mark Pardue as the hotel’s new General Manager as the storied property ushers in a new era with the final phase of its $130 million renovation to transform the guest experience. Grand Hyatt New York is the tenth Hyatt property that Pardue has worked in since he began working with Hyatt more than 22 years ago.
Lewis is an industry veteran of over 25 years, and boasts nearly 15 years of experience with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, the management company of The Westin New York at Times Square. Prior to the past year at the W Times Square, Lewis has held posts at the Four Points in Pittsburgh, Sheraton Suites in Columbus, Ohio, and the Sheraton Gateway Suites in Chicago. She is a graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, where she received a Bachelor of Science in marketing.
Wine & Spirits magazine has named Mark Sayre, sommelier at TRIO at Four Seasons Hotel Austin, to its list of the country’s "7 Best New Sommeliers of 2010." The award, which will be announced in the magazine's October issue, is the result of Wine & Spirits' 8th Annual Sommelier Poll, a survey of 3,200 members of the wine trade, including affiliates of the Court of Master Sommeliers and wine directors at some of the top restaurants in the United States.
Ms Snyder has been promoted to the role from her previous post as Director of Sales and Marketing at the Group’s North American flagship, Mandarin Oriental, New York, where her exceptional sales and marketing performance has helped to establish the property as one of the world’s best hotels. Ms Snyder, who has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, began her career at Mandarin Oriental in 1992, first joining the Group’s regional sales office in The Americas overseeing corporate transient sales. In 1995, she left Mandarin Oriental to further her experience amongst other luxury hotels in New York. She then rejoined Mandarin Oriental, New York in 2003 as Director of Sales, where she was an integral member of the opening team. She was promoted to the leadership role of Director of Sales and Marketing in 2007.
As a seasoned hospitality professional, Edwards brings with him years of sales expertise to his new post. He has a proven track record of increasing business and client relationship management for luxury hotel brands both globally and in New York City. Edwards holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, with a focus on International Development and minor in Mandarin Chinese, from Lincoln University in Oxford, Pennsylvania. He also studied Mandarin for two years at National Taiwan University in Taipei.
Sam Kapadia holds a Bachelor’s in Hotel Management from the Swiss Association Institute “Les Roches” and is a four-term Certified Hotel Administrator. He brings with him extensive international hospitality management experience with many deluxe and well established hotels and hotel companies. With his in depth expertise as a hotelier moving across continents from Bombay, India to Montreux, Switzerland and Paris, France to New York, USA, Kapadia’s knowledge will present a solid platform to continue to provide exceptional guest service for visitors to Manhattan and Warwick New York Hotel. His multi-faceted experience will also assist in overseeing the continued renovation of the Hotel’s Premier Rooms & Suites which currently boasts over 25% of the hotel’s total room availability.
Richter’s new role at The Setai Fifth Avenue signals his return to the New York hospitality scene after three years as general manager of The Regent Hotel Bal Harbour in Florida. For six years prior, he led two of Manhattan’s most legendary hotels, more recently as managing director of The St. Regis Hotel, New York, and before that, as general manager of the Swissôtel New York, The Drake. From 1986-1998, Richter served in a series of senior management roles, including regional vice president of operations with Grand Bay Hotels and Resorts and its owner, Carnival Hotels and Casinos. His long tenure there took him to properties spanning Toronto, New York and Philadelphia to Miami, Key Biscayne and Puerto Rico. Richter has also served as vice president of operations and general manager for a series of hotels in the Rosewood Hotels portfolio, including The Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, The Remington on Post Oak Park in Houston, and The Bel-Air Hotel in Beverly Hills. Before that, he served three years as vice president and general manager of The St. Regis under Sheraton management. He launched his career at Hilton Hotels Corporation, taking on managerial roles at The Washington Hilton in Washington, DC, The Palmer House in Chicago, The Waldorf=Astoria in New York and other hotels. Born and educated in Germany, Richter is a member of the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs and the distinguished Waldorf Astoria Alumni Association. He is also a Knight of Malta and a Knight of the Holy Order of Sepulcher. The Setai Fifth Avenue is slated to open November 1, 2010.
Mode Hospitality led by Paul Celnik, has announced the appointment of Wayne H. Schneider as General Manager of its newest property, Fashion 26 - A Wyndham Hotel, in New York City. With over two decades in the industry, Schneider is a talented hospitality expert with wide-ranging operations experience. Schneider got his start in New York City at the Macklowe Hotel in the Housekeeping Department where his talents, experience and resources quickly led to executive positions at such reputed hotels as the Sherry-Netherland, The Pierre and The Soho Grand. Schneider was instrumental in the transformation of The Iroquois Hotel into a four-star property, where he expanded his expertise in training and managing staffs, implementing policies and procedures that maximized productivity and profitability. Schneider has also held prominent corporate positions in Procurement and Quality Assurance at Prime Hospitality and Wyndham Hotel Group. A native of New York, Schneider earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Social Sciences from State University of New York at Buffalo. He currently resides in New Jersey.
He will succeed Conrad Wangeman, who was recently named Area Vice President, Operations – Northeast for Hilton Worldwide. Lauer has spent more than half of his distinguished 29-year career with Hilton Worldwide, most recently as Hotel Manager of the legendary Waldorf=Astoria Hotel. Lauer’s appointment comes on the heels of a nine-year tenure at the renowned Waldorf=Astoria, where he served as Hotel Manager for six years and Director of Marketing for three years. During that time, Lauer successfully increased the hotel’s service and occupancy levels.
Ms. Recio joined the hotel in November 2009 as the catering sales manager. Previously she held the position of senior sales and special events manager at both The 40/40 Club Sports Bar & Lounge in New York and in Atlantic City where she planned, organized and implemented all sales promotions, marketing programs and events for both clubs as well as maintained key client relationships with corporate clients, celebrities and sports figures. Ms. Recio served as global account coordinator in Starwood's Northeast Global Sales Office where she organized customer events, acted as a consultant to top corporate, sports and association markets in the northeast. Ms. Recio held various positions at Sheraton Hotels of New York including assistant banquet manager, sales and marketing coordinator and outlet supervisor. Ms. Recio is a graduate of Monroe College, Bronx, NY where she was a business management major with a minor in marketing.
Lacroix joins GILT from the Forbes-Five Star, AAA Five-Diamond Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, where for ten years he served as Director of Wine and Sommelier for the hotel and for its one-star MICHELIN rated restaurant, The Dining Room. Under his leadership, The Dining Room achieved many global accolades and, together with the hotel, became the highest-rated U.S. hotel and restaurant property for Ritz-Carlton. Lacroix, built one of the region’s most esteemed small bottle wine collections in conjunction with the celebrated wine program. Lacroix began his wine career in 1985 at Le Puy-en-Velay Hotel School in France and then became assistant sommelier for Le Clave in Clermont, France. He continued his education at Chamalières Hotel School, where he was awarded “Best Young Sommelier of Central France.” In 1990, he attended the highly-regarded Tain L’Hermitage Sommelier School and was named “Best Young Sommelier of France – Bordeaux Wines” and “Best Young Sommelier of Monaco.” After graduating from Tain L’Hermitage, Lacroix worked with many top-ranked chefs including Roger Vergé at Le Moulin de Mougins in Mougin; Alain Ducasse at Le Louis XV at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo; Jean-Louis Palladin at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C.; and Michael Mina at Aqua in San Francisco. He also opened Aqua at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.
With 34 years of experience, Schlesinger has served as general manager and director of operations in major metropolitan cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Atlanta. He first joined IHG in 1997 and served as General Manager for two IHG properties in New York City - the InterContinental Central Park South and the Crowne Plaza Manhattan - until 2003. With a sense of pride for the Big Apple, Schlesinger has a proven track record of delivering exceptional results and maintaining high guest satisfaction. Immediately prior to re-joining IHG, Schlesinger oversaw operations of the The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and The Water Club in Atlantic City; managed the pre-opening and grand opening of 70 Park Avenue Hotel, Kimpton Hotels & Resorts' first hotel in New York City; and served as general manager of Mondrian Hotel Los Angeles, an Ian Schrager Hotel. Schlesinger is a graduate of Boston University. Complimenting Schlesinger's management experience, Hodgson is no stranger to the hotel business with nearly 20 years of sales and marketing experience. Beginning her career in London, her native home, then moving to Boston and New York City, Hodgson has worked with hotels companies across the industry, including IHG, Hilton Hotels, Marriott Hotels and Langham Hotels International. Most recently, Hodgson served as Director of Sales and Marketing at the InterContinental New York Barclay. She began with IHG in 1995 working with InterContinental Hotels and Resorts.
Ms. Steckbeck is in charge of The Group’s relationship with industry trade partners including tour operators and travel consortiums such as Virtuoso, Signature Travel Network and American Express Travel. Ms. Steckbeck reports to Mr. Alistair Ballantine, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing – The Americas. Ms. Steckbeck’s immediate focus is to develop and implement a comprehensive leisure sales strategy that encompasses the luxury ‘Oberoi’ hotels, resorts and cruisers in India, Egypt, Mauritius and Indonesia. She is based at The Group’s office in New York. Ms. Steckbeck’s experience in the travel industry spans more than fifteen years. She joins The Oberoi Group from her position as Director of Sales - Retail Accounts, North America, Orient-Express Hotels, Trains and Cruises. In this position, Ms. Steckbeck managed all corporate sales relationships with travel networks such as AMEX Centurion, AMEX Fine Hotels and Resorts, Virtuoso, Signature Travel Network and Andrew Harper Alliance. She also assisted in creating the company’s travel agent loyalty program, “The Bellini Club” in 2006, doubling the business from these agencies. Prior to joining Orient-Express Hotels in 2003, Ms. Steckbeck had been the Manager of Worldwide Sales - Corporate and Travel Industry for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Chicago and Los Angeles, where she achieved forty percentage above target in developing new business for existing and developing hotels.
David Lopez brings more than 16 years of experience in the hospitality industry with 12 of those years being served in the New York City marketplace. Beginning with his first appointment as General Manager of The Rogers Williams Hotel in New York City, Lopez comes to Cassa NYC from the San Juan Water and Beach Club in San Juan, Puerto Rico where he was the General Manager. David has experienced success in managing boutique hotels, which will prove a valuable asset as he sets his sights on the Spring 2010 opening date for the five-star luxury, 166-room Cassa NYC Hotel and Residences. David joined Desires Hotels in January 2006 as General Manager of Hotel Mela in New York City and has since become a valuable member of the management team. “Cassa NYC is an important project for Desires Hotels as we continue to expand in different markets. We are excited to have David back in New York City spearheading this venture,” says Raul Leal, President of Desires Hotels.
Mrs. Lima is a veteran travel and hospitality industry executive with more than 25 years of experience and becomes the first female to hold the position of general manager at The New Yorker Hotel. Mrs. Lima brings a new high-energy profile to the position and intends to lead the staff of more than 500 employees in providing a superior level of quality service that meets the needs of both business and leisure guests. Prior to her current position of general manager, which took effect on July 1, 2009, Mrs. Lima served as controller and, more recently, as chief financial officer during her 14 years with The New Yorker Hotel. Before joining the hotel team in 1995, Mrs. Lima worked in various industry arenas providing her with a broad spectrum of business experience, including nine years at the publishing company News World Communications, Inc., which represents various national magazines and newspapers, including The Washington Times. She has also served as controller in various industry-related organizations, including three years at the wholesale company ILHWA as well as several years with Go Transportation, Inc., a tour and travel company.
Effective 1st November 2009, Mr. Ballantine will be in charge of The Group’s current and future portfolio of hotels, resorts and cruisers under the luxury ‘Oberoi’ and five-star ‘Trident’ brands. Mr. Ballantine will be responsible to Mr. Liam Lambert, President for Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Mr. Rattan Keswani, President for Trident Hotels. Mr. Ballantine’s immediate task will be to build a sales team that covers both the leisure and business segments. He will be based at The Group’s office in New York. Mr. Alistair Ballantine’s experience in the travel industry spans more than 30 years. He will join The Oberoi Group from his current position as Director of Sales and Marketing, Orient-Express Hotels Trains and Cruises. Prior to joining Orient-Express Hotels in 2005, Mr. Ballantine had been the Chief Executive Officer of Shackelton & Frontiers, a fly fishing lodges and travel company. From 1978 to 2003, Mr. Ballantine served as President, United States of America and Group Chief Marketing Officer, Abercrombie & Kent International, Inc. In 1995, he assumed additional responsibility as Chairman, Abercrombie & Kent – United Kingdom and Europe.
W Hotels Worldwide, the industry innovator, today announces the appointment of renowned international music expert Michaelangelo L’Acqua as W Hotels’ first ever Global Music Director. In this role, L’Acqua will serve as a strategic advisor for the W brand, strengthening W Hotels’ presence within the music community in new and exciting ways, including producing the soon to be released seventh edition W Hotels CD, attracting partnerships within the music industry, and identifying ways to further integrate music into the W guest experience globally. For more than 10 years, with the opening of the first W Hotel in New York City in 1998, W has continually broken new ground through innovative and first-of-their-kind music programs and partnerships. As W Hotels continues to grow globally, more than doubling its current portfolio of 33 hotels by 2011, the contemporary lifestyle brand has engaged L’Acqua to ensure this passion for entertainment is integrated in authentic and original ways, positively impacting the guest experience in its hotels worldwide.
A graduate of Johnson and Wales University, he was most recently the director of food and beverage at the Parker Meridien Hotel in New York City. Prior to that, Martin worked at several high-end New York City properties in food and beverage operations including The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Battery Park, the Drake Hotel and the Waldorf-Astoria. During the 18-month renovation, the Faculty House’s 38,000 square feet of meeting and function space has been completely retrofitted inside to support 21st-century technology. Nearly 75 percent of the materials from the original structure were refurbished, re-purposed, recycled or donated during the renovation. Originally designed by the architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White (1923), this red brick and limestone building has served as a gathering place for social and intellectual interaction among Columbia University faculty for decades. Over the years, Faculty House has evolved to serve the needs of university administrators, alumni, graduate students, the local community and guests from around the world.
In New York, Gary Schweikert has been appointed as the new general manager of Jumeirah Essex House, as well as regional vice president of operations for the Americas. Schweikert joins Jumeirah from the Flagship Hospitality Group LLC. He has previously worked as managing director of the world-famous Plaza Hotel in New York, and regional vice president for Fairmont Hotels, and has held several senior management positions within Hilton Hotels Corporation. "We are pleased to announce these latest management appointments within the Jumeirah team. These accomplished hoteliers bring a wealth of experience and knowledge which will help us manage the landmark hotels and deliver the exceptional service the Jumeirah brand is known for worldwide" said Frank van der Post, COO of Jumeirah Group.