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Dennis Hofilena has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Hotel Wilshire

A long-time resident of Los Angeles, newly appointed Director of Sales & Marketing Dennis Hofilena has spent his entire career in the luxury hospitality market. Hofilena began as a reservationist for the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood before serving as the Sunset Marquis' Reservationist Manager. He worked briefly with the Peninsula Beverly Hills in its pre-opening stages, before returning to Sunset Marquis for a 15-year stint, eventually becoming the Director of Sales & Marketing. Hofilena took up a similar post at Petit Ermitage in 2010 prior to joining The Hotel Wilshire.

Greg Rizzi has been named General Manager at The Hotel Wilshire

With over 40 years of experience to his name, Gregory Rizzi is a seasoned veteran in the hospitality industry and the new General Manager of Hotel Wilshire. A native to New York City, Rizzi joined the Loews Hotel Corporation fresh from college, working as an Operations Manager at several of their properties before being promoted to Director of Reservations. After working with Americana Hotels, a division of American Airlines, and Realty Hotels, a subsidiary of Penn Central Railroad, Rizzi decided it was time to head West. He served as General Manager for several properties along the California coast, from The Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco to La Jolla Shores Hotel near San Diego, before moving to Los Angeles to assume his current post at The Hotel Wilshire.

Joseph Ferragamo has been appointed as Food & Beverage Manager at InterContinental Mark Hopkins

A Massachusetts native, Ferragamo brings more than 30 years of hospitality experience to the InterContinental San Francisco. Ferragamo worked in a number of banquet roles at hotels in Boston including Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers, Le Meridien Hotel and the Boston Harbor Hotel before joining the opening team at the InterContinental Boston as Director of Banquets in 2006. His extensive food and beverage knowledge in banquets, restaurants and operations planning allowed Ferragamo to maintain superb customer service and enhance the overall InterContinental Boston guest experience. As Director of Banquets for the InterContinental Boston, Ferragamo was responsible for creating and maintaining department standards and managing budget, training and staffing. The InterContinental Mark Hopkins looks forward to Ferragamo’s continued leadership and expertise at the San Francisco property.

Jeffery Vosburgh has joined Hilton Orange County as Executive Chef

Chef Vosburgh boasts a diverse culinary background, most recently serving as executive sous chef at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, a Mobil 4 Star luxury hotel known for hosting international events like the Golden Globes. Prior to holding that post, he was responsible for culinary operations at the Cuscowilla Resort on Lake Oconee in Eatonton, Georgia, and at the Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta.

Javaud Mushtaq has been appointed as Director of Sales at Loews Coronado Bay

In his new role as director of sales, Mushtaq will assume leadership of strategic group sales efforts and oversee the daily operations of hotel’s sales and access managers. With particular expertise in the corporate and association markets, Mushtaq will continue to focus on driving group business and maintaining key customer relationships. Mushtaq is a certified hotel sales executive (CHSE) and an active member of Meeting Planners International (MPI). Most recently, Mushtaq served as director of national accounts for Loews Coronado Bay. Prior to that, he served as director of national accounts for Loews Lake Las Vegas in Lakes Las Vegas, Nev., where he achieved “superstar status” and was an integral member of the hotel’s ability to be named Loews Hotels’ 2007 and 2009 sales teams of the year. Other past experience includes stints at Hyatt Hotels and Hilton Hotels.

John Annicchiarico has been appointed as Director of Marketing at Loews Coronado Bay

Annicchiarico brings 15 years of hospitality experience at some of the country’s finest hotels and resorts. In his new role, he will lead the strategic sales efforts, revenue management and market positioning for the AAA Four Diamond hotel and its 65,000 square feet of recently-renovated meeting space. Annicchiarico is an active member of Meeting Planners International (MPI), ASAE and Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), and serves on the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau’s sales committee. Prior to his promotion, he served as director of sales for Loews Coronado Bay. Other past experience includes sales and marketing positions for Loews Hotels and Universal Orlando Resorts.

Shannon Walters has been appointed as Director of Group Sales at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa

Before joining The Mission Inn, Walters served as Senior Sales Manager at Los Angeles’ Pacific Palms Hotel & Conference Center where she was responsible for new business development, handling new business technology, and mentoring and training sales managers. Prior to that, she was a sales manager at Hilton Long Beach Hotel & Executive Meeting Center.

Heidi Miersemann has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at The Westin Verasa

Heidi Miersemann, CMP has joined The Westin Verasa, Napa as director of sales and marketing. With more than 18 year’s experience in the hospitality industry, she has worked on both the resort side and client side as a corporate travel manager. Most recently, she was director of sales and marketing at the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country, where some of her accomplishments included the successful hosting of high profile industry events, including the PCMA Board Meeting and the MPINCC Board Retreat.

Shai Zelering has been named General Manager at The London West Hollywood

The London West Hollywood has tapped London NYC general manager Shai Zelering to serve as its GM, it was announced today. Zelering will oversee all aspects of the West Hollywood property, recognized by Travel+Leisure Magazine's 2010 World's Best Awards as "the No. 1 hotel in California." His most recent year-long position with The London NYC marks six years that Zelering has spent with Luxury Resorts & Hotels. He began his LXR career in Florida serving as regional director of food and beverage in Fort Lauderdale, later serving as VP of food and beverage for Luxury Resorts. Zelering received a Bachelor of Science in hotel administration at Cornell University and an MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Carlo Nardi has been appointed as General Manager at The Fairmont San Jose

The Fairmont San Jose appoints Carlo Nardi as general manager. Having held a series of general manager and director level positions within the travel and tourism industry, Nardi brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role. Most recently, he was the hotel’s director of operations. The Fairmont San Jose appoints Carlo Nardi as general manager. Having held a series of general manager and director level positions within the travel and tourism industry, Nardi brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role. Most recently, he was the hotel’s director of operations.

Michael Platt has been appointed as General Manager at Hilton Long Beach & Executive Meeting Center

Prior to joining HEI, Michael Platt was general manager of El San Juan Hotel & Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was senior vice president of food & beverage operations at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula before that. Also, Platt was director of operations and food & beverage for the St. Regis Hotel & Spa in Southern California. He graduated from Witwatersrand University Johannesburg in South Africa, and holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Hotel School Lausanne in Switzerland. He will report to Michael Miner, senior vice president of operations for Region 1.

Brian Murphy has been appointed as General Manager at Fullerton Marriott at California State University

Before joining HEI, Brian Murphy was general manager of the Embassy Suites in Valencia, Calif., for Innkeepers Hospitality/Island Hospitality. He was general manager of the Hyatt Summerfield Suites in El Segundo, Calif., immediately prior to that. Also, Murphy was general manager of the Residence Inn Manhattan in Manhattan Beach, Calif., for Sunstone Hotels. He holds a bachelor’s degree from California State Polytechnic University and will report to Brian Mayer, senior vice president of operations for Region 2.