The St. Regis Atlanta, an unparalleled in-town resort located in the elegant enclave of Buckhead, has announced the appointment of Guntram Merl as the new general manager. Mr Guntram is an established leader in the hospitality industry with a career spanning over two decades.
Longtime Jekyll Island hotelier, Kevin Runner has been named general manager of the Westin Jekyll Island. The 200-room, beachfront hotel opened in 2015, adjacent to the Jekyll Island Convention Center and the recently-completed Beach Village. Runner is a career hospitality executive who opened the Jekyll Island Club in 1986. Originally a 134-room full-service hotel, the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel has evolved into a four-diamond resort largely credited with the island’s renaissance.
In his role, Reyes will lead the opening efforts of the Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta and oversee all departments including operations, sales and marketing, rooms, risk management, human resources and food and beverage. Most recently, he served as general manager of the Omni Riverfront Hotel in New Orleans, where he transitioned the property into the Omni portfolio from another brand. In the hotel’s first full year under the Omni flag and under Reyes’ leadership, it achieved significant RevPAR growth. The property also improved its competitive set ranking to number one in the area.
Gerry Chase, president and COO of New Castle Hotels & Resorts, a leading third-party management company and hotel developer, today announced that Trevor Stratton has been appointed general manager of the 138-room Hampton Inn & Suites Jekyll Island, and will oversee an upcoming upgrade to the hotel’s rooms and public spaces.
The Westin Atlanta Perimeter North, managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, has named Paul Harris restaurant chef for its on-property restaurant, SAVOR bar & kitchen.
Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta announces the ‘sweet’ appointment of Lasheeda Perry as pastry chef of the leading luxury hotel in the city. A creative force in the kitchen, Perry will lead the pastry team with a wealth of experience.
The Westin Atlanta Perimeter North, managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, has named Dineshkumar "Dinesh" Chokkalingam as banquet chef.
HVS announced that Ben Levin has been promoted to Vice President. An integral member of the HVS Atlanta team for several years, Levin is recognized as an expert and trusted advisor to HVS clients in Georgia, Alabama, and throughout the region.
Prior to joining the team at The St. Regis Atlanta, Rosa worked in her native Spain with Starwood Hotels for more than 15 years. She began her career with the brand in operations at the five-star Westin Palace Madrid for five years. In 2005, she became the global account manager in the Starwood Sales office for the Iberia Region (Spain and Portugal). After six years in the role, she was promoted to the director of sales and marketing at the Hotel Marques de Riscal, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Rosa was recently awarded the 2015 Presidents Award EAME by Starwood, a recognition for her leadership, integrity and crucial contribution in closing a record-breaking year in occupancy and revenue per available room at the Hotel Marques de Riscal. She has a master’s degree in English Philology from the University of Alicante and a diploma in Marketing and Strategic Planning for Hotels from the University Francisco de Vitoria.
Hilton Worldwide announced the appointment of Steven Qualls to the position of general manager of Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Buckhead in Atlanta, Georgia. Qualls returns to Hilton after three years with Aimbridge Hospitality, one of the largest independent management companies in North America and the Caribbean, where he managed and oversaw the top to bottom renovation of Embassy Suites by Hilton Jacksonville. In his new role he will oversee operations for the 316-all suite hotel located on Peachtree Road, within blocks of Atlanta’s most sought-after shopping, dining and entertainment district effective immediately.
David Collas has succeeded Robert Lowe as General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta. David joined the Group in 2010 as Executive Assistant Manager, Food and Beverage at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. Since 2013, he has been Hotel Manager at Mandarin Oriental, New York, responsible for overseeing operations at one of the city’s most renowned properties. Prior to his tenure with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, David worked in senior management positions at The Ritz London, Hotel Martinez in Cannes as well as Four Seasons Hotel George V and Hotel Plaza Athénée, both in Paris.
Horwath announced the promotion of Ms. Elizabeth Beliakova, who joined Horwath HTL in February 2014 as consultant. Elizabeth has been assisting the Horwath HTL Atlanta office with asset management, financial analysis, hotel development, market studies, revenue management, and sales and marketing strategies. Prior to her time at Horwath, Elizabeth worked at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta where she was able to get comprehensive operations experience. Elizabeth is certified in Real Estate Financial Modeling (REFM), as well as in Food Safety from the Training Achievement Program Series.
Horwath's Paul Breslin welcomes Oliver Tang to the Horwath HTL Atlanta office. Oliver is a recent graduate of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration with a Bachelor's degree in Hotel Administration and a minor in Real Estate. At Cornell, he was co-founder of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) student chapter. Oliver has varied work experience in the hospitality industry, including positions in operations, market analysis, asset management, and development feasibility study. He began his career as a front desk agent in Tibet. A brief stint with the hotel advisory and overseas investment teams of Jones Lang LaSalle in Beijing enabled him to participate in several development feasibilities studies, market research assignments and an overseas hotel acquisition.
As the Millennials say, “adulting is hard.” There are bills to pay, limited days off from work, family obligations...and it all threatens to suck the fun out of life. It doesn’t have to be that way. Travelers can take a break from the norm with Marissa Edwards, the director of all things fun, here at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee.
Gerry Chase, president and COO of New Castle Hotels & Resorts, a leading hotel owner, operator and developer, today announced that Kathryn Poulin, will lead the Hampton Inn & Suites Jekyll Island as the hotel’s new general manager. Poulin most recently was the general manager of the Hampton Inn in Danville Kentucky. Poulin boasts a long Hilton pedigree at both the corporate and property level having worked as a quality assurance auditor, 5-Advice manager and regional revenue manager. She also was the assistant general manager of a Hampton Inn in Frederick, MD and an Embassy Suites in Washington, DC.
Olshan Properties, one of the country’s leading private owners, developers and managers of commercial real estate, today announced that hospitality industry veteran Glenn Spanier has been named General Manager of the 278-suite Sheraton Suites Galleria, Atlanta.
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has named Michael Torres Vice President of Corporate Communications, The Americas. Torres will provide strategic counsel to protect and enhance the reputation of IHG and its family of brands for the region, which includes the U.S., Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. As the chief communications officer, he will serve on the Americas Regional Executive Committee and be based in Atlanta. Torres will oversee internal and external corporate communications, including employee/organizational, crisis/issues management, strategic messaging, marketing communications and media relations.
Strand Hospitality Services recently announced that Drew Dunston has been named as the General Manager for the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in downtown Atlanta, Ga. He will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the 173-room hotel located at 111 Cone Street NW.
Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta is thrilled to announce the appointment of Yvette Thomas-Henry as General Manager of the leading luxury hotel in the city. A respected leader in the luxury hospitality arena, she brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her new role at the hotel.
Atlanta-based Hotel Equities announced the hiring of Lee Smith as the General Manager of the Hyatt Place Savannah Airport hotel located at 4 Stephen S. Green Drive in Savannah, Georgia.