Search

Appointment

Peter Klebanoff has been appointed as Senior Vice President, Business Development at OpenWays

With deployment of its Mobile Key front-desk bypass solution well underway at hotels around the world, and its OKIDOKEYS solution now released into the residential market, OpenWays is hiring more talent. To apprise properties, managers, owners and brands on the mobile-strategy enhancement capabilities of Mobile Key — a technology that enables travelers to use any of the 6.8 billion cell phones or smartphones worldwide as a mobile room key — OpenWays Founder and CEO Pascal Metivier has hired 30-year hospitality industry veteran and hotel technology advocate Peter Klebanoff as Senior Vice President, Business Development. Prior to joining OpenWays, Klebanoff spent 16 years with LodgeNet Interactive Corp. (SONIFI Solutions) where he played numerous executive roles and developed a customer-satisfaction index program to help measure and improve hotel satisfaction, including ways to speed check-out. On the hotel operations side, Klebanoff played front office and housekeeping roles for Holiday Inn, Ramada, Sheraton and Marriott (where he went through their management training program as well). He holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in hotel management from the University of Massachusetts and received executive education at the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Business. He has numerous professional affiliations, and served on the American Hotel & Lodging Association E-Business Committee and Tradeshow Task Force. Klebanoff is a published author, contributing several articles for hotel and security trade publications.

OpenWays
Los Angeles, California, United States
Appointment

Norm Santos has been appointed as General Manager at Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa

Lake Arrowhead Resort & Spa, managed by Crescent Hotels & Resorts and part of Marriott International's exclusive Autograph Collection of upscale independent hotels, has announced the appointment of Norm Santos as General Manager. With more than two decades of experience in hotels and hospitality management, much of it at Marriott International properties, Santos oversees all operations at the historic lakeside resort located high above Los Angeles in the San Bernardino National Forest. Santos has spent his entire hospitality career in California, arriving at Lake Arrowhead after a turn as general manager at The Belamar Hotel. Previously he held a range of upper-level management positions including director of operations for SMG Long Beach Convention Center and the Aquarium of the Pacific, general manager and corporate director of operations for At Your Service Hospitality based in Anaheim Hills, California, director of rooms operations at Manhattan Beach Marriott Hotel, and general manager at Fullerton Marriott Hotel.

Crescent
Lake Arrowhead, California, United States
Appointment

Sonny Kerstiens has been appointed as Director Of Sales And Marketing at Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa

Kerstiens brings 12 years of group sales, marketing strategy, event management, top-line revenue growth, revenue management, customer service and owner relations experience to the position. Kerstiens began his career in hospitality when he moved to the four-diamond Lodge at Vail ski resort in 2001 and accepted a position as a sales and marketing coordinator. The next summer, Kerstiens joined the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort family as a sales manager. He quickly moved up the ranks over the course of the next 12 years, becoming senior sales manager, associate director of sales, director of group sales and, ultimately, director of sales and marketing. A graduate of California State University, Chico, the Northern California native returns to his home state to lead sales and marketing initiatives for the Napa hotel after an award-winning career with Vail Marriott Mountain Resort. During his tenure as director of sales and marketing in Vail, Kerstiens and his team led the resort to record occupancy and top-line revenue levels. In recognition of their achievements, Kerstiens and his team received awards for 2010 Marriott Global Property Sales Team of the Year (franchise hotels), 2011 Marriott Global Event Management Team of Year (franchise hotels) and 2011 and 2012 No. 1 ESS Overall Satisfaction.

Marriott
Napa, California, United States
Appointment

Josh Herman has been named Marketing Director at La Quinta Resort & Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort

Herman will oversee all aspects of marketing and communications for the renowned desert resort featuring 796 elegantly-appointed casitas and suites, Spa La Quinta®, three restaurants, 23 tennis courts and famed PGA WEST which includes five award-winning public golf courses. A veteran of the leisure hospitality industry with over 15 years of experience, Herman previously served as regional director of marketing for KSL Resorts in La Quinta, Calif., in a newly-created position which included multi-property oversight, repositioning of new properties and strategic development of the hotel management company's desert portfolio. During his tenure with KSL Resorts, Herman was credited with a series of major accomplishments including the successful launch and rebrand of Montelucia Resort & Spa and boosting market share for the Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa product. Raised in New Jersey and a current resident of La Quinta, Calif., Herman received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland, is a member of HSMAI and has been named a "Top 40 under 40" by Palm Springs Life magazine.

Hilton
La Quinta, California, United States
Appointment

Jonathan Litvack has been appointed as General Manager at Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown

Veteran hotelier Jonathan Litvack, named general manager of the Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel in 2013, will oversee a $45 million rejuvenation of the 485-room property to include all guestrooms, meeting space and the lobby area, as well as the restaurant and lounge. He successfully converted the hotel, which is located in the heart of the city's financial, sports and entertainment epicenter, from a franchise operation to the world's newest Starwood-managed hotel on June 1. The rejuvenation, which includes the hotel as well as the adjacent office tower and retail shopping center anchored by a flagship Macy's, will be renamed the Bloc. Upon completion, it will be the largest single asset mixed-use property in the City of Los Angeles.

Starwood
Los Angeles, California, United States
Ad #1 Hotel PMS
See why hotels are switching to Mews

Revenue up. Manual work down. Hotels using Mews see 35% higher RevPAR and 45% more upsells. Book a free demo. 
Mews
Ad Tambourine One
All you need is one.

Some call it a website with a booking engine built in. Some call it a booking engine with a website built in. We call it One.
Tambourine
Appointment

Alyssa Courtney has been appointed as Senior Sales Executive at Anaheim Marriott

Alyssa Courtney has been appointed senior sales executive at the Anaheim Marriott, it was announced by Dan Shaughnessy, director of sales and marketing. Mrs. Courtney will be covering the Mid-Atlantic region including Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia and will be focused on securing corporate and association business. She has been with the Anaheim Marriott for the past two years, where she cultivated the hotel’s presence in the California State Association and Affinity markets. Alyssa brings over 10 years of expertise in the hotel industry to her new position. Prior to joining the Anaheim Marriott, she was a sales executive for Marriott’s Southwest Region representing the Marriott, JW, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Residence Inn, Courtyard, Fairfield, Townplace and Springhill Suites brands in the Los Angeles market. In her spare time, Alyssa enjoys staying active while enjoying Southern California's sunshine, beaches, and trails.

Marriott
Anaheim, California, United States
Appointment

Jeff Livingston has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Chaminade Resort & Spa

Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named Jeff Livingston director of sales & marketing for Chaminade Resort & Spa, a Benchmark Resort® located in Santa Cruz, California, featuring majestic views of Monterey Bay. Kevin Herbst, Benchmark's general manager at the resort, made the announcement.Jeff Livingston was previously director of sales for L'Auberge Del Mar, located in Del Mar, California. Mr. Livingston experienced significant success during his tenure at the resort and its sister property, Estancia La Jolla, receiving several promotions and serving at times as associate director of sales as well as national sales manager. Earlier in his career he held sales positions of increasing responsibility for major-brand hotels and resorts.

Pyramid Global Hospitality
Santa Cruz, California, United States
Appointment

Monica Dropkin has been appointed as Area Reservations Manager at InterContinental Hotels of San Francisco

Monica Dropkin joins the InterContinental Hotels of San Francisco as Area Reservations Manager with laudable credentials. An experienced and AAA Five Diamond trained hospitality professional, she has experience in hotel revenue, reservations, group management, guest relations, and operations. Prior to her new role, Dropkin was the Revenue and Reservations Manager at the Montauk Yacht Club hotel in Montauk, New York where she implemented innovative new policies and procedures resulting in improved hotel operations. Dropkin’s more than five years of experience in hotel management roles has prepared her for a new chapter with InterContinental Hotels of San Francisco.

IHG
San Francisco, California, United States
Appointment

Siamak Nassirpour has been appointed as Director of Rooms at InterContinental San Francisco

Seasoned hospitality professional Siamak Nassirpour brings more than ten years of experience to the InterContinental San Francisco as Director of Rooms. Prior to his recent appointment, he spent more than two years as the Director of Rooms at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York, where he improved rooms profit margin by 4% from 2011 to 2012. Prior to his work at the Four Seasons, Nassirpour held positions as Director of Rooms and Revenue Management at the Marriott Downtown Los Angeles and Director of Rooms at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel at California Plaza.

IHG
San Francisco, California, United States
Appointment

Kelly S. Q. He has been appointed as Sales Manager at InterContinental Hotels of San Francisco

Kelly S. Q. He joins the InterContinental Hotels of San Francisco as a rising star of the hospitality industry. In 2011, she began work at the InterContinental Hotel Shanghai, where she was intimately involved in leading the overall strategic sales and marketing efforts to achieve and exceed hotel revenue goals. In 2012, she returned to the United States accepting the position of Corporate Sales Manager at the Crowne Plaza in Palo Alto, CA. Having honed her managerial skills in sales and marketing, she flourished in her new role and exceeded revenue goals by soliciting, developing and closing local corporate group business. In her role of Sales Manager, she brings a global perspective to the InterContinental Hotels of San Francisco team with her knowledge of English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

IHG
San Francisco, California, United States
Appointment

Nick Hamati has been promoted to Revenue Manager at InterContinental Hotels of San Francisco

Nick Hamati continues his work at the InterContinental Hotels of San Francisco as Revenue Manager. Hamati joined the InterContinental team in 2012 as Revenue Analyst after graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of San Francisco. His undergraduate experiences included prestigious internships with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and experiences living abroad in France and Hungary. With his French and Arabic language skills, Hamati brings a global perspective to the new role in addition to his financial and hospitality forte.

IHG
San Francisco, California, United States
Appointment

Karla Sweeney has been appointed as Director of Sales and Marketing at SpringHill Suites Oceanside Downtown

The SpringHill Suites San Diego Oceanside/Downtown is gearing up for its February 2014 opening and is excited to announce the addition of Karla Sweeney as Director of Sales and Marketing. The SpringHill Suites will open in Oceanside, California as a contemporary modern hotel with unique amenities including a roof top pool, scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and Hello Betty, a unique fish house concept by restaurateur, Peter Karpinski.

Sage
San Diego, California, United States
Appointment

Tom Scaramellino has been appointed as General Manager at Westin & Aloft San Francisco Airport Hotels

As a graduate of the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Scaramellino received a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration. Recently Scaramellino served as hotel manager of The Palace Hotel in San Francisco, Calif. where he strived to strengthen brand identity and customer service. Prior to his time with The Palace, he acted as hotel manager for the US Grant in San Diego. During his time there he also had numerous temporary assignments as GM for the Westin Los Angeles Airport Hotel, the St. Regis Deer Valley Resort, and the W Hotel in San Diego, Calif. With passion for the industry and fostering education, Scaramellino has served on the board of directors for the New York State Restaurant Association and as a advisory board member for Westchester Community College Hospitality program. He has also served his community on the foundation board of directors for the Hudson Valley Hospital Center and for the Peekskill Area Health Center. Among numerous awards, he has received Businessman of the Year from the Peekskill-Cortlandt Chamber of Commerce and the President's Award from the Sheraton Corporation of North America.

Starwood
San Francisco, California, United States
Appointment

Grace D. Miane has been named General Manager at Residence Inn Dana Point San Juan Capistrano

Miane most recently served as General Manager of the Residence Inn Reno in the Lake Tahoe/Reno market, overseeing a comprehensive renovation project that was completed in April 2012. The Reno Residence Inn by Marriott hotel has been recognized for its breakthrough leadership as well as consistent high guest satisfaction scores during Maine's 5-year tenure. The hotel earned numerous Market Share index awards and Revenue management engagement recognition from the ownership group. Miane started her career with Marriott International as a front desk clerk at the San Francisco Airport Courtyard. She was promoted to Sales Account Manager and was part of the opening team for the San Francisco Oyster Point Waterfront Courtyard & Residence Inn by Marriott. Her career progression includes different management positions and leadership roles within Marriott Select Service brands in the San Francisco/Bay Area & Manhattan Beach, CA.

Marriott
San Juan Capistrano, California, United States
Appointment

Susan Santiago has been appointed as Area Vice President and General Manger at Hyatt Regency Century Plaza

ost recently, Santiago was Vice President of Food and Beverage –Americas operations for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, where she was responsible for the overall success of food and beverage operations at Hyatt Hotels and Resorts in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Latin and South America. Last year, Santiago led Hyatt’s launch of its global Food. Thoughtfully Sourced. Carefully Served philosophy that was heralded as, “industry leading,” and later the same year, launched Hyatt’s, For Kids, By Kids, and Alice Waters menus which offer fun, fresh, flavorful and interactive food choices for youth aged guests. These food philosophies helped drive Hyatt’s goal to be the most preferred hotel brand, and were acknowledged by The Today Show, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today among other national and trade organizations. Also last year, Santiago and team along with Hyatt’s partner, Folio Fine Wine Partners, a Michael Mondavi company, developed and debuted a Pinot Noir varietal for Hyatt’s Canvas wine collection.

Hyatt
Los Angeles, California, United States
Appointment

John Hanrahan has been appointed as Director of Food & Beverage at Chaminade Resort & Spa

Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has named John Hanrahan director of food & beverage for Chaminade Resort & Spa, a Benchmark Resort® situated on a Santa Cruz, California hilltop with breathtaking views of Monterey Bay. Kevin Herbst, Benchmark's general manager at the resort, made the announcement. John Hanrahan most recently served as general manager of LB Steak Santana Row, a full-service restaurant located in San Jose, California. In this position he was also responsible for an extensive wine program. Mr. Hanrahan has previously held management positions for The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California, and for Moana Hospitality of Mill Valley, California. Mr. Hanrahan resides in Soquel, California, with his family.

Pyramid Global Hospitality
Santa Cruz, California, United States
Appointment

Lisa Ares has been appointed as Director of Operations at The Fairmont San Jose

The Fairmont San Jose, an 805-room luxury hotel in the heart of Silicon Valley, proudly announces the appointment of Lisa Ares as Director of Operations. Ms. Ares, who after 14 years of working at sister Fairmont properties, officially began her new appointment last month. During her last post at the storied Fairmont Royal York (Toronto, Canada), where she served as Rooms Division Director, Lisa oversaw more than 400 colleagues and was responsible for the operation and management of the 1,365-room legacy property. Prior, she spent a number of years at sister properties including The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and The Fairmont Banff Springs holding progressive positions. Kelley Cosgrove, General Manager of The Fairmont San Jose shares, “I am delighted to welcome Lisa to Silicon Valley. She brings keen insight into the services and amenities most prized by the global traveler and I am confident she will help further guide our prominent hotel to new heights of luxury and guest satisfaction. Ms. Ares holds a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management from Vancouver Community College, Vancouver, B.C. and is currently completing her Masters degree in Tourism Management from Royal Roads University in Victoria, B.C. A “wanna-be” foodie who always prefers eating over cooking, Lisa looks forward to discovering the food and wine bounties of Northern California.

FRHI
San Jose, California, United States