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Appointment

Larry Daniels has been named General Manager at Chateau Bourbon

Larry Daniels, who has worked with Hyatt for more than 25 years, has been named general manager of the Chateau Bourbon New Orleans Hotel, announced Gary Gutierrez, president of HRI Lodging, operator of the hotel. “We are thrilled to have an experienced Hyatt executive like Larry Daniels join our HRI Lodging team,” said Gutierrez. “Larry brings us more than a quarter of a century of knowledge about how to operate a Hyatt property that will ensure a smooth and successful transition when Chateau Bourbon joins this prestigious brand,” he added. HRI Properties, owner of the Chateau Bourbon Hotel, recently announced it has closed on a $45.7 million joint venture investment with Carey Watermark Investors Incorporated (CWI), a publicly registered non-traded real estate investment trust (REIT), that will include an $18 million renovation and change of flag to the Hyatt French Quarter Hotel, expected in the second quarter of 2012. Daniels comes to the Chateau Bourbon Hotel from Dallas, where he managed the 811-room Hyatt Regency DFW since 2005. Prior to that position, he served as general manager of two other Hyatt Regency properties. He started with the Hyatt brand in 1980 and progressed through a number of executive positions until he was named a general manager in 1992.

HRI Properties
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Appointment

Fred Sawyers has been appointed as Complex Manager at the DoubleTree by Hilton New Orleans

Hilton Worldwide announced today the promotion of Fred Sawyers, a 26-year hotel veteran, as complex general manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton New Orleans in addition to his current responsibilities as general manager of the 1622-room Hilton New Orleans Riverside. “Fred has done an outstanding job operating the Riverside and is an important member of our New Orleans management team. His leadership skills, accomplishments and expertise in operations are valuable assets to our hotels in the area,” states Keith Clampet, senior vice president, operations for Hilton Worldwide. Sawyers will take over the operations and management of the 363-room hotel located one block from the Hilton Riverside in New Orleans, effective immediately. When Hurricane Katrina struck, Sawyers and his team successfully and safely guided 4500 guests and team members through the disaster, a heroic feat that earned him a promotion to general manager. Prior to New Orleans, he spent seven years in Portland, Oregon, managing the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower and the DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia River/Jantzen Beach.

Hilton
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Appointment

Peter Dunn has been appointed as General Manager at Renaissance Baton Rouge

Prior to being named general manager of the Renaissance Baton Rouge Hotel, Dunn was general manager of 454-room Le Westin Montreal for Atlific Hotels. Previously, he worked for Davidson Hotel Company as general manager of the Hilton Charlotte Executive Park. Also, under the Hilton Family of brands, he managed the Doubletree Hotel Miami Biscayne Bay, Club Hotel by Doubletree – Miami Airport, Fountain Park Hotel – Orlando and Doubletree Guest Suites – Atlanta Perimeter. Dunn received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Bishop’s University in Canada and holds general manager certifications from Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Davidson
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Appointment

Andrea Richey has been appointed as Director of Sales at Chateau Bourbon New Orleans, a Wyndham Hotel

Seasoned hospitality professional Andrea Richey has joined the Chateau Bourbon New Orleans a Wyndham Hotel in New Orleans’ French Quarter., as the new Director of Sales, announced Sarah Gagnon, Vice President of Sales for HRI Lodging, owner and operator of the hotel. Richey brings 20 years of extensive knowledge and experience to the Chateau Bourbon Hotel, restored in 1995 by HRI Properties in the former D.H. Holmes department store building on Canal Street. She has worked in the hospitality and real estate industry in cities across the South including Birmingham, AL; Gatlinburg TN, San Antonio, TX and Atlanta. She moves to New Orleans after serving as the Director of Sales and Marketing at the 329-room Wynfrey Hotel in Birmingham. Prior to working at the Wynfrey, she earned the “Sales Team of the Year” Award at the Park Vista Hotel and Convention Center in Gatlinburg. She has received numerous other recognitions, including the “Hyatt Sales Manager of the Quarter” at the Hyatt Regency Suites in Atlanta, and the “Outstanding Revenue-Index” for Starwood Hotels and Resorts.

HRI Properties
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Appointment

Mickey Parenton has been appointed as Vice President and General Manager at the new Pinnacle Baton Rouge Casino and Hotel

With more than 18 years of casino and relationship marketing and leadership experience, Mickey Parenton will direct the Baton Rouge casino and hotel. Parenton most recently served as Vice President of Special Projects where he was responsible for the development and execution of projects and programs aimed at improving Pinnacle's operational excellence. Prior to joining Pinnacle, Parenton held numerous executive positions with Harrah's Entertainment, now Caesars Entertainment, including Regional Vice President of Casino Marketing for the Gulf Coast Region, Regional Vice President of Casino Marketing for the Southeast Division, and Senior Vice President of Casino Operations and Vice President of Casino Marketing at Grand Casino in Biloxi, Ms.

the new Pinnacle Baton Rouge Casino and Hotel
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
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Appointment

Gina Rando Abernathy has been appointed as Director of Sales at the Ramada Metairie

Abernathy is a veteran of the hospitality industry, bringing more than 16 years of hotel sales and management experience to the Ramada property. Her background in the hospitality industry is broad. She has worked as a sales manager, director of sales and general manager for properties in Louisiana, and for a Gold and Platinum award-winning hotel in Tennessee. Abernathy has been recognized for her record-breaking sales efforts, and has a well-established client base nationwide. Abernathy’s arrival comes on the heels of the property’s major renovation of its 138 guest rooms. The result of this renovation is what Abernathy calls “practically a new hotel,” now offering even more amenities to today’s travelers.

the Ramada Metairie
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Appointment

Marlene Macaluso has been appointed as General Manager at Hilton Garden Inn French Quarter/CBD

Macaluso returns to New Orleans after serving as operations director at the 328-room Hilton Oceanfront Resort in Hilton Head, SC since 2006. During her tenure at the Hilton Oceanside Resort, the hotel achieved Hilton’s Top 25 Voice of the Customer rankings several times and won Hilton’s award for most improved hotel customer service in 2006. She has experience working in New Orleans at The Whitney, a Wyndham Historic Hotel, where she served as general manager from 2001-2004, before moving to the same position at The Tutwiler, a Wyndham Historic Hotel in Birmingham, AL. She has also served at Wyndham hotels in Miami and Puerto Rico and other resort properties in Aruba, Dutch West Indies. HRI’s Hilton Garden Inn French Quarter/CBD offers 155 guest rooms and 1,900 square feet of flexible event and meeting space. The property was developed in 2004 by HRI as a conversion of the former Commerce Building originally constructed in 1956 .

Hilton Garden Inn French Quarter/CBD
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
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Appointment

Cindy Stephens has been appointed as Director of Convention Services at the Paragon Casino Resort

Torian brings twenty-five years of hotel experience to her new post. Torian began her career as part of a three year management training and development program with Hilton Hotels at properties in California including the Beverly Hilton. Throughout her career, Torian has held positions at several hotels as director of sales and marketing as well as general manager. She has also held the position of national sales manager for Walt Disney World Resorts. Torian’s most recent post prior to joining Paragon was vice president of Hadnot Hotel Properties, LLC. Hadnot Hotel Properties built and operated the Louisiana Convention Center and Hampton Inn in Alexandria, LA. Torian is an active member of several non-profit organizations in the area and has also served as chairman of the board of directors for the Alexandria/Pineville Convention and Visitors Bureau and the president of the Alexandria Hotel/Motel Association.

the Paragon Casino Resort
Marksville, Louisiana, United States
Appointment

Kim Bailey Ginn has been appointed as Senior Director of Marketing at New Baton Rouge Casino Resort

Ginn brings a distinguished 16-year track record of success in the casino entertainment industry to her new role. Most recently, she served for three years as Pinnacle Entertainment's corporate director of loyalty marketing and strategic partnerships and served concurrently for a year as senior director of marketing at the Company's L'Auberge du Lac Casino Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Prior to joining Pinnacle, she served as director of marketing for Argosy Gaming Company's Baton Rouge property and in various other marketing-related roles over the course of 12 years with Argosy. In 2000, as director of marketing at Belle of Baton Rouge, Ginn was named Marketer of the Year by the Baton Rouge Sales and Marketing Executives and received the Pinnacle Award from the Advertising Federation. Ginn is a current resident of Baton Rouge and is an active member of both St. Aloysius Church and School and the Sales and Marketing Executives of Greater Baton Rouge. She holds a bachelor's degree in advertising from Louisiana State University's Manship School of Journalism.

New Baton Rouge Casino Resort
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Appointment

Geno M. Iafrate has been named SVP and General Manager at L'Auberge du Lac Casino Resort

Iafrate is an accomplished industry executive who has served in a variety of gaming and hospitality management positions across several regional and major gaming markets over the past twelve years. Most recently he served as the senior vice president and general manager of Harrah's Entertainment's northwest Louisiana operations, including the Horseshoe Casino & Hotel and Louisiana Downs, both located in Bossier City, Louisiana. Previous positions include vice president and assistant general manager at Harrah's Entertainment's Flamingo Las Vegas and Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Grand Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. Mr. Iafrate also held positions at Harrah's in Tunica, Mississippi and as a member of the Harrah's Entertainment Central Division team. Iafrate holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from West Virginia University.

L'Auberge du Lac Casino Resort
Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
Appointment

Lior Sekler has been appointed as director of corporate revenue management and distribution at HRI Lodging

In his new position at HRI Lodging, Sekler will provide individual hotel managers and sales directors improved analysis and tools to maximize income through the application of sophisticated revenue management models. Sekler graduated from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, where he was a member of the Senior Honor Society of the Quill & Dagger. He has also earned the designation of Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME).

HRI Properties
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Appointment

Tony Welch has been appointed as General Manager at Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center

Welch previously managed four different Marriott branded properties before joining HRI Lodging. Most recently, he served as general manager of the Residence Inn Convention Center and previously ran the Courtyard by Marriott in Covington, LA. His prior experience also includes management of three hotels in the Dallas, TX area. Welch studied business administration at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AK and earned certification from Aims Academy in Dallas, one of the southwest’s leading continuing education institutions for the food and beverage industry.

Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States