The opening of the new Candlewood Suites Stone Oak Area in San Antonio, TX, has been announced by Leo Spriggs, President/CEO of Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC). Featuring the finest in hospitality and accommodations the Candlewood Suites is the newest extended stay, all suites hotel in the San Antonio area. The 113 suite hotel is conveniently located just off of Hwy 281 and Evans Road in the Stone Oak Area of North San Antonio.
Wende Blumberg previously served the Benchmark Hospitality organization as field staff support for Naples Bay Resort, its luxury property in Naples, Florida. She also led an important initiative to expand and upgrade the company’s system-wide Extranet, Benchmark Central. Prior to this, she held the title of general manager for Mission Inn Resort & Club near Orlando, which Benchmark operated at the time. Ms. Blumberg invested a decade of her distinguished hospitality career with Hilton Hotels Corporation, serving as general manager for the Hilton Atlanta Airport Hotel and in the same role for The Hilton University of Florida Conference Center in Gainesville, which she opened. In addition to operations positions, Wende Blumberg has been director of sales & marketing for Sandestin Resort of Destin, Florida, and served as director of customer retention and director of conference planning for the landmark Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia. She initially worked for Benchmark Hospitality International as director of conferences for The Cottages at Shipyard Plantation in Hilton Head, South Carolina, which Benchmark previously operated. Wende Blumberg is the past president of the International Association of Conference Centers, the leading professional organization governing the multi-billion dollar conference center industry on five continents. Over her productive career she has also served in leadership roles with numerous chambers of commerce, sports and tourism boards. Ms. Blumberg earned her Masters Degree in Recreation & Parks from Penn State University, and her undergraduate degree in the same discipline from the University of Florida, Gainesville. She is an avid golfer and equestrian. Ms. Blumberg is relocating to San Antonio with her husband.
The much anticipated opening of the Holiday Inn Northwest/Sea World Area in San Antonio, Texas, has been announced by Leo Spriggs, president/CEO of Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC).
The executive management team for the soon-to-open Candlewood Suites Encino Commons in San Antonio, TX, has been announced by Leo Spriggs, President/CEO of Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC).
A 27-year hospitality veteran, Thrailkill began his hospitality career in front office operations for such premier hotels as the Hilton Boston Logan Airport, Trump’s Castle® Casino in Atlantic City and the Hilton New York in midtown Manhattan. From 1992 to 1997, he assumed a variety of leadership positions for some of Hilton’s flagship properties in the Southern U.S., including Executive Assistant Manager of the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort in Miami Beach and Resident Manager at the Hilton Palacio del Rio and the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. In 1998, Robert became general manager of the AAA Four-Diamond Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center in Texas, was responsible for a technologically advanced, service-focused meeting facility that met the stringent standards of the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC). As a result, the hotel received many awards during his tenure including the Paragon Award from Corporate Meetings & Incentives magazine, the Successful Meetings’ Pinnacle Award and the Planners Choice Award from Meeting News. Hilton Hotels Corporation also recognized Robert and his team with the coveted Connie Award (named after company founder Conrad Hilton) for best overall performance by a Hilton airport hotel during 2002. Robert is a graduate of the Conrad Hilton School of Restaurant and Hospitality Management at the University of Houston, where he received a bachelors degree in hotel administration. Thrailkill is married with five children.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) today announces the opening of Four Points by Sheraton San Antonio Northwest – an event which also marks the launch of the brand’s first prototype hotel and the company’s 450th hotel in the United States. The six-story hotel showcases the Four Points by Sheraton brand’s rejuvenated, contemporary look, complemented by classic and comfortable interior design elements refreshed for today’s self-sufficient traveler.
A food and beverage veteran, Brian West previously served as executive chef for Café Paladar, a restaurant he created, owned and operated. Café Paladar earned top honors in 2008 as one of the “Top 500 Restaurants in America” according to The New York Times, and for Mr. West, as one of the “Top 100 Chefs in Texas” by Texas Monthly magazine. Mr. West’s first appointment as executive chef was for Fresh Horizons Catering of San Antonio. He has also served as banquet chef working with Bruce Auden at Biga on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. He was previously sous chef at the Westin La Cantera. Brian West attended The Art Institute of Houston, graduating at the top of his class. He resides in San Antonio.
Cheryl Ferguson most recently served as vice president, sales for Pinehurst Resort, the historic property located in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and one of the largest and most respected golf resorts in the country. In this role, she oversaw the planning and sales strategy for group-related rooms, food and beverage, golf and spa. Ms. Ferguson has previously served as the director of sales for the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Michigan, the largest resort in the Midwest, a position she held for 16 years. Earlier in her career, she served in senior sales positions for a variety of Michigan properties, including the landmark Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. During her tenure in northern Michigan, Ms. Ferguson served in numerous leadership roles for the Michigan Chapter of Meeting Professionals International, including as president, and was the recipient of the Supplier of the Year and Chapter Leader of the Year awards. She is a graduate of Central Michigan University with degrees in Hospitality Services Administration and Marketing, and is a Certified Meeting Professional. Ms. Ferguson resides in San Antonio.
Shane Bruns was most recently director of culinary operations for the Treana Restaurant Development Group of San Antonio. In this role he was responsible for the opening Luca Ristorante & Enoteca, Tresca Ristorante, and overseeing the operations of Piatti Ristorante in the Quarry, all of San Antonio. Previous to this appointment, Mr. Bruns was food & beverage director for Oro Restaurant & Bar at San Antonio’s Four Diamond Emily Morgan Hotel. Earlier in the decade, Shane Bruns held the dual titles of executive chef and director of food and beverage for The Silvertree Properties of Snowmass Village, Colorado, near Aspen. While there, he assisted in a $1.2 million renovation of company’s main restaurant, The Brother’s Grille. During his tenure with Silvertree, Mr. Bruns also developed, designed, and opened Snowmass Village’s only night club, The Blue Door. Additionally, he assisted with The Silvertree Properties’ purchase and development of the Snowmass Village Conference Center. Shane Bruns has served as executive chef and food and beverage director for Loews Giorgio Hotel, the Four Diamond property located in Denver. He gained international experience as working with Australian Culinary Olympian Bill Conway in the opening of Salsa of Port Douglas, Australia. Earlier in his career, Mr. Bruns worked in positions of increasing responsibility for restaurants in Aspen. He is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Mr. Bruns resides in San Antonio.
The first Best Western Atrea hotel, an upper midscale prototype designed to attract business travelers, opened its doors in San Antonio in late April, the World’s Largest Hotel Chain® announced today. The 77-room Best Western Atrea Hotel and Suites, located less than a mile from the Lackland Air Force Base, includes more than 1,000 square feet of meeting space, an indoor pool and spa, business center and fitness center. Guests receive free high-speed internet access and a complimentary hot breakfast buffet.
Joseph G. Coursolle, CHA, will report directly to Steven Falciani, regional vice president of operations. The hotel is owned by a joint venture between New Jersey-based Prudential Real Estate Investors and DHC, which also manages the property. The hotel converted to the Hilton hotel brand at the beginning of 2009 and is undergoing a $6 million renovation, which is being conducted in phases in order to eliminate guest disruptions.
Leo Spriggs, President/CEO of Hospitality Management Corporation (HMC), is pleased to announce that Marshall Tullos has been appointed general manager for the soon-to-open Holiday Inn Northwest/Sea World Area in San Antonio, Texas. Tullos was HMC’s general manager at the Holiday Inn in Denton, TX, from it’s opening in March 0f 2007 until February of 2009 when he accepted the new position. During his tenure, the Holiday Inn Denton consistently exceeded budgeted revenues, and won awards from IHG for Region’s Top Overall Satisfaction Scores for 2007/2008. Tullos was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from HMC at their 2009 General Managers’ Conference for extraordinary service to the company and its clients and staff.
The St. Anthony Hotel and LaCorsha Hospitality Group LLC are pleased to welcome Sergio F. Ortiz as new managing director to oversee the historic hotel’s staff, hospitality services, management and new multi-million dollar restoration project. Ortiz previously worked as a hotel broker; President and CEO at Orion Hotels, Inc.; General Manager at the prestigious Driskill Hotel in Austin; Managing Director at the Lancaster Hotel in Houston; and other management positions in hotels across the country where he developed a successful track record in all segments of the hotel industry. Ortiz attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout.