Search

Appointment

Gordon Maybury has been appointed as Executive Chef at Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

Over his 24-year career, he has cooked in the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe and served as executive chef at leading hotels and resorts in the U.S. and Caribbean. He comes to the Arizona Biltmore from the PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach, Florida, where he was executive chef overseeing 10 food and beverage outlets and was involved in the design and concept development of two of the restaurants.

Hilton
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Appointment

James Gelfand has been named Director of Sales and Marketing at Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa

Prior to joining the Westin La Paloma team, Mr. Gelfand strategically drove revenue growth as Director of Sales and Marketing at Turnberry Isle Miami and The Westin Copley Place, where he was influential in the property’s transition to becoming a part of Starwood Hotels of Boston’s Metro Market Sales Force. During his 11 years of service with Starwood Resorts and Hotels, he served as Director of Sales at The Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa and The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Florida. Mr. Gelfand also held the position of VP of Sales, Marketing and Revenue Management at PGA National Resort and Spa. Previous positions within the hospitality industry have included leadership roles in catering and conference services. A graduate of the Georgia State University Hotel/Restaurant and Travel Management program, Mr. Gelfand has also been honored as a Starwood Most Valuable Sales Partner.

Starwood
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Appointment

Todd Sicolo has been appointed as Executive Chef at Royal Palms Resort and Spa

Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Phoenix’s historic luxury resort, is pleased to announce Todd Sicolo as Executive Chef. A veteran food and beverage executive with extensive luxury hotel experience, Chef Sicolo graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hype Park, New York, and boasts nearly 25 years of widespread culinary experience. Most recently, Chef Sicolo served as Executive Chef of the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa over the past five years. Prior to this, he honed his culinary skills as Executive Sous Chef at Boca Raton Resort & Spa in Boca Raton, Florida. Chef Sicolo has also served as Executive Chef at other notable luxury properties including Little Dix Bar, A Rosewood Resort in the British Virgin Islands and La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California.

Destination Hotels
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Appointment

Mike Ehmann has been appointed as General Manager at Sheraton Phoenix Downtown

Ehmann brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Most recently, Ehmann served as general manager for Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel where he oversaw its successful conversion from an Adam’s Mark Hotel. Prior to that, he was Area Managing Director for Starwood’s Southeast Region, supervising and supporting 12 properties across multiple brands within Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. A team member of Starwood Hotels and Resorts for more than 30 years, Ehmann is accustomed to delivering the highest levels of customer service and hotel management. His industry background includes management roles with The Westin Galleria in Dallas and the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Ehmann’s early Starwood career was highlighted by more than three years at The Westin La Paloma where he held a variety of positions, including Director of Rooms.

Starwood
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Appointment

Caitlin Gomez, Senior Director Agency Partner Program at Hickory Global Partners (“HGP”) has been appointed as member of the 2012 Class of 35 at The Young Leaders Summit of The PhoCusWright Conference

Caitlin Gomez, Senior Director Agency Partner Program at Hickory Global Partners (“HGP”) (www.HickoryTravel.com), the corporate travel consortium, has been selected for The Young Leaders Summit which identifies 35 emerging industry leaders under age 35, and is a component of The PhoCusWright Conference this November in Scottsdale, AZ.Gomez is a key member of the HGP senior leadership team that sets company direction. She represents Hickory within the Agency/TMC community and is responsible for all agency partner sales, onsite implementations and overall Partner Care. Prior to HGP, Gomez was responsible for the Small & Medium Business Program at Travel Leaders Corporate, and Director of Premium Membership at American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).Gomez joins the 2012 Class of 35 which also includes executives from Google, Expedia, Room 77, Amadeus, Tripit and more. To be eligible, candidates must be currently employed in travel, tourism and hospitality; be 35 years of age or younger on December 31, 2012; and hold a fast-track executive management position.

Hickory Global Partners, LLC
Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
Appointment

George Bon has been appointed as Arizona Sales Manager at Westin La Paloma

Mr. Bon is well versed in the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa’s tradition of stellar service that secured its #1 rating for Westin properties in Meeting Planner Satisfaction six of the last eight years. Before his most recent promotion, he served the small meetings market for the property’s group sales team. Prior to contributing to the Westin La Paloma team, Mr. Bon experienced success at Tucson’s Lodge on the Desert, Marriott University Park, Radisson Suites, and Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. George earned his B.S. in sociology from the University of Arizona.

Starwood
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Appointment

Carol Stratford has been appointed as VP Marketing at Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa

Stratford joined Miraval in 2011 as Director of Marketing, where she spearheaded and oversaw the revitalization of Miraval’s website and the highly successful PR launches of the Miraval Life in Balance Spa with Clarins and Mindful Eating cookbook. Stratford brings 16 years of experience in marketing, public relations and communications to her new position. Prior to joining Miraval, she spent four years as Director of Marketing for The Homestead, a historic, luxury destination spa and golf resort located in the Allegheny Mountains of Virginia. Stratford first established herself in the realm of corporate communications while working with Six Flags, Inc. and with prestigious properties such as the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, FL and Lake Lanier Islands Resort in Buford, GA.

Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Ad HITEC 2026
Visit HITEC 2026 in San Antonio!

HITEC is the center for the latest conversations on hospitality technology. Come and see the technology shaping the industry.
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP)
Appointment

Todd Iacono has been named General Manager at Westin Phoenix Downtown

Iacono was previously the director of operations for the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, just a few blocks away. Iacono has been with Starwood for about five years and has more than 20 years of hotel management experience. As general manager he will focus on increasing occupancy and revenues at the Westin. Iacono added that the previous GM Debra Barton left the hotel in good shape. Barton moved on to a new position at another Starwood hotel.

Starwood
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Appointment

David Kirken has been appointed as General Manager at Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

He comes to the position with intimate knowledge and insight into the resort’s day-to-day operations, previously having served for three years as the resort manager at La Quinta Resort & Club® and PGA WEST®, a Waldorf Astoria resort property, located in La Quinta, California. As part of his contributions to the resort, he developed strategies and executed processes that continue to improve employee and customer loyalty, maximizing profitability and growing market share for this luxury property.He began his career in luxury hospitality in 1997 as the assistant front office manager of The Manele Bay Hotel in Lana’i, Hawaii. Since that time, he has held management positions with luxury hotel and resort brands including Loews Hotels and Ritz-Carlton.

Hilton
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Appointment

Serene Sanders has been appointed as Spa Director at Mii Amo at Enchantment Resort

An accomplished professional with more than 20 years of experience in the holistic health industry, Sanders arrived at Mii amo from the tropical beauty of Jamaica where she provided spa consulting services at Round Hill Hotel & Villas in Montego Bay. Previously she was Spa Sales & Marketing Manager at Joya Spa at the Montelucia Resort and Spa Director at Scottsdale Plaza Resort, both located in Scottsdale, Arizona. Sanders brings wide expertise to her new position at Mii amo, including licensed expertise in massage therapy, certification as an Aura-Soma practitioner and Natural Force Healer, and credentials in metaphysical and holistic studies. A native of Bellevue, Washington, Sanders is thrilled to now be making her home surrounded by the red rock splendor of Sedona, Arizona.

Mii Amo at Enchantment Resort
Sedona, Arizona, United States
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

Liann Marks has been named General Manager at Talavera at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

Marks brings with her an extensive amount of experience, including more than four years with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. She was most recently the restaurant manager at Pahu ia Restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. Prior to that, she was instrumental in the opening of the property’s Beach Tree restaurant.

Four Seasons
Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
Appointment

Ben Shank has been appointed as Resort Manager at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

A 13-year veteran of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, he most recently hails from the brand’s acclaimed Maui resort. Shank comes to the Resort following a two-year appointment at Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, where he served as Food & Beverage Director. Prior to that, he served in the same capacity at the former Four Seasons Resort Aviara for three years. He also spent time at Four Seasons Hotel New York, and was part of the team that opened L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, 57 Restaurant and Ty Lounge. His hospitality career started as a busboy at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, where he worked his way up to the General Manager position at the Five-Star Fountain Restaurant.

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
Appointment

Tracey Anne Latkovic has been named Vice President of Sales at Canyon Ranch

Latkovic was most recently Director of Sales and Marketing at Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ five-star St. Regis Monarch Beach in California, where she led the effort to increase group performance 20% over the previous year. Prior to joining St. Regis, Latkovic served as the Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Revenue Development for PGA National and spent over four years as the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Miraval Holding where she led sales, marketing and revenue generation efforts for the brand. Latkovic spent over 10 years prior as a Director of Sales for KSL Resort Group’s La Quinta Resort & Club and at the legendary Wigwam Resort. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In her new role, Latkovic will lead Canyon Ranch’s sales teams in the expansion of sales strategies and outreach into new markets to broaden the company’s customer base and embrace the next generation of guests. She will spearhead the overall sales initiatives for each of the company’s locations in Tucson, Lenox, Miami and Las Vegas to build on the current Canyon Ranch clientele and introduce new guests to the award-winning brand.

Canyon Ranch
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Appointment

Salvatore Moscato has been appointed as Executive Chef at Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa

The Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa, located in the world renowned Red Rock country, announced the appointment of Salvatore Moscato as the resort’s executive chef. In his new position Chef Salvatore will oversee the resort’s banquet dining options as well as the signature restaurant, Grille at ShadowRock offering a menu of fresh regional fare for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Chef Salvatore began his culinary training at a very young age in his hometown of Vittoria, Sicily, cooking traditional Italian dishes with his great-grandmother. He often helped his mother and father cultivate a variety of fruits and vegetables, while assisting his uncle in the family’s winemaking business. This upbringing taught Chef Salvatore to appreciate traditional approaches to dishes and cook with available seasonal ingredients. At the age of 19 Salvatore left for New York City to pursue his passion for food working at the renowned Casa Dante in Jersey City and eventually opening his own Trattoria as co-owner.

Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa
Sedona, Arizona, United States
Appointment

Victoria Strubbe has been appointed as Leisure Sales Manager at Enchantment Group

Prior to joining Enchantment Group, Strubbe spent two years as Leisure & Business Travel Sales Manager of the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, where she developed and maintained relationships with FHR, Virtuoso and Signature and local negotiated business travel accounts. Previously, Strubbe spent close to three years as a Media Buyer/Planner for RMG Marketing in Phoenix and a full year as Hospitality Manager of Evening Entertainment Group in Scottsdale. A native of Chicago, Strubbe earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Arizona State University in Tempe. She resides in Phoenix.

Enchantment Group
Scottsdale, Arizona, United States
Appointment

Debbie Cotton has been named Interim Director at The Phoenix Convention Center

Ms. Cotton brings over eight years of executive management experience from her previous position as Phoenix Public Transit Director where she oversaw operations of an extensive multimodal bus system providing more than 16 million miles of service annually. She managed a team of 126 employees and an annual operating budget of $242 million in a department that oversees the largest transit system in Arizona. During her tenure, Ms. Cotton expanded public transit services for customers and collaborated with regional partners to successfully launch the city’s first light rail line in December of 2008.

The Phoenix Convention Center
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Appointment

George K. McGann has been named Vice President, Managing Director and General Manager at The Wigwam

Pyramid Resort Group has named George K. McGann as Vice President, Managing Director and General Manager of The Wigwam, the 331-room iconic independent Phoenix area resort that dates to 1918. With more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, McGann brings unique insight and dynamic leadership to his new role with The Wigwam.

Pyramid Resort Group
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Appointment

Thomas Hanlon has been appointed as Executive Chef at Nautical Beachfront Resort

Most recently, Hanlon was the owner/operator of the award-winning Artisan Bread Bakery in Las Vegas, which supplied celebrity restaurants run by Bobby Flay, Todd English Tom Colicchio and Alan Ducasse at Bellagio, Four Seasons, the Ritz Carlton, MGM Grand and Caesar’s Palace. Prior to his solo venture, Hanlon earned a name for himself opening unique themed restaurants in his native Michigan and Las Vegas.

Nautical Beachfront Resort
Lake Havasu City, Arizona, United States
Appointment

Craig Waterman has been named General Manager at Westward Look Resort

Waterman comes to Tucson most recently from Vail, Colorado, where he served as General Manager-Transition Team, assisting with the conversion of the Tivoli Lodge to a Gemstone Hotels & Resorts Managed property. He also spent three years as Managing Director for the new 184-room luxury Sè San Diego Hotel & Spa, following his successful stint as General Manager of the Four-Diamond WaterColor Inn & Resort in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

Westward Look Resort
Tuscon, Arizona, United States