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Appointment

Iwan Pennings has been appointed as Executive Chef at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino

Chef Pennings brings along the expertise of 15 years in the European and Caribbean culinary industries. He joins Sonesta Maho from celebrity hotspot Cotton House Resort on the glamorous island of Mustique, where he created fare for the island’s social elite and the global jet set. His new position at Sonesta Maho will include the creation of innovative menus for guest and event dining, as well as leading his culinary team to new levels of excellence. From 2002-2008, he worked with World ResidenSea,, a residential club association aboard a 644-foot private luxury yacht, where he earned the position of chef de cuisine. A Dutch native, Chef Pennings attended culinary school in the Netherlands, earning an advanced chef’s degree. He further honed his skills in prominent Amsterdam restaurants, including NH Barbizon Palace, Restaurant de Giesser Wildeman and Restaurant Vermeer.

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino
St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
Appointment

Diego Concha has been appointed as General Manager at Hyatt Regency Curacao Golf Resort, Spa and Marina

Diego Concha joins Hyatt Regency Curaçao with a career that spans more than two decades with the Hyatt resort family. A native of Colombia, Concha’s two decade career with Hyatt started in 1988 as the assistant food and beverage director at the former Hyatt Regency Cerromar Resort & Spa. During his successful career with Hyatt, Diego has taken the opportunity to sharpen his skills in various hospitality positions having served as food and beverage director, director of operations and most recently, hotel manager at Hyatt Regency Trinidad. Set along 1,500 acres of the Santa Barbara Plantation, a multi-faceted luxury resort community, the Hyatt Regency Curaçao, which will open mid-January 2010, is the centerpiece of the grand master development designed for vacationing and year-round living.

Hyatt Regency Curacao Golf Resort, Spa and Marina
Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
Appointment

Steven Bakker has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Hotel Kura Hulanda

Steven Bakker joins Kura Hulanda after two years of service as the Operational Food & Beverage Manager at Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam. Over the past nine years Mr. Bakker has held positions at various hotels in The Netherlands including the Palace Hotel, Dorint Sofitel and The Dylan Amsterdam. Additionally, his career has taken him to Egypt, France and Aruba. He holds a bachelors degree in Hospitality Management from Hotelschool The Hague, International University of Hospitality Management. Born in Geldrop, Netherlands, Mr. Bakker is fluent in both Dutch and English and enjoys playing basketball, golf and is a PADI certified open water diver.

Hotel Kura Hulanda
Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles
Appointment

Shirley Geerman has been appointed as Resident Manager at Hotel Kura Hulanda

Shirley Geerman has 24 years of experience in the travel and hospitality industry. In addition to her most recent experience at Kura Hulanda she has spent time in various markets including Latin America, Europe and North America. She has extensive experience in the meetings and incentive market and is well known by travel partners. Mrs. Geerman, a native of the neighboring island of Aruba, can count the Aruba Marriott, Wyndham Aruba Beach Resort and the Renaissance Aruba Hotel & Casino amongst her past employers. Located in Willemstad, Curaçao, the Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa & Casino is an 80-room luxury boutique resort featuring meticulously restored 18th and 19th century Dutch Colonial Caribbean buildings spread amongst several glorious courtyards, multiple pools, award winning restaurants, a brand new spa and fitness center.

Hotel Kura Hulanda
Willemstad, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles