Questex Hospitality + Travel has named veteran journalist Jennifer Y. Brown managing editor of its Hotel Management and Hotel Design print and digital publications, responsible for editorial content and production, reporting to David Eisen, editor-in-chief.
Accor North America, Central America and the Caribbean (NCAC) region has announced the promotion of Marc Sternagel to vice president of operations for all midscale brands in the region. The segment encompasses all Novotel hotels in the United States and Canada, as well as Novotel properties in Panama and Mexico, and Mercure Guatemala. Marc will also contribute to development projects in the region within this segment.
Ortiz has spent his illustrious hospitality career with Omni Hotels & Resorts, and his appointment to the Omni Berkshire Place marks the return to the property where he started as a an assistant front office manager, ultimately working up to front office manager, more than 20 years ago. For the last four years, he served as general manager at the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade. While there, he was named the Omni People's Choice GM of the Year, oversaw guest room renovations, and created two award-winning kids' fantasy suites -- Aquatica and Discovery. Prior to that, he held director-level positions at Omni properties located in Houston, TX, Charlottesville, Va., Coral Gables, Fla., as well as San Antonio, TX. Fluent in three different languages, Ortiz received an associate's degree in applied sciences from City University of New York; a bachelor of arts in hospitality management from New York University; and also studied food and beverage management at Florida International University.
Vincent Vienne, hotel manager of Sofitel New York from 2006 to 2009, has returned as general manager following five years as general manager of Sofitel Philadelphia, where he oversaw its renovation, and spearheaded corporate and social responsibility.
The School of Hotel Administration (SHA) at Cornell University announced that Deniz Omurgonulsen is the new president of the Cornell Hotel Society (CHS), the 86-year-old alumni association that represents SHA graduates in more than 50 active chapters worldwide. Omurgonulsen's twelve-month term as president began January 1, 2015.
North America’s largest annual hospitality industry gathering – the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show® (IHMRS) – is pleased to announce that Anthony G. Mangano, CHA, will serve as Chairman of the Board for this year’s 100th anniversary event, scheduled to take place Saturday, November 7, through Tuesday, November 10, 2015, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Damian J. Mogavero—CEO and founder of Avero—will receive the 2015 Cornell Hospitality Innovator Award honoring him for his contributions to the industry through his innovative restaurant software solutions. Don't miss your chance to shine with the hospitality and travel world's brightest stars as a sponsor or attendee at the 7th Annual Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator Awards. Contributions to the gala provide key funding to Cornell School of Hotel Administration scholarships and programs
James Jolis brings over 25 years of experience to the hotel business having worked as a concierge at two of New York City’s top hotels before joining The Chatwal as Chef Concierge in December 2014. Jolis was previously a concierge at The Mayfair Regent Hotel, Park Avenue and head concierge at The Michelangelo Hotel, New York. In his role at The Chatwal, Jolis provides the highest possible standard of customer service, ensuring the finest experience for The Chatwal’s guests. Additionally, Jolis is a member of the New York Association of Hotel Concierges and Les Clefs d’Or USA, a professional membership organization representing New York Concierges.
Questex Hospitality + Travel has named David Eisen editor-in-chief of its Hotel Management and Hotel Design print and digital publications, responsible for all content as well as speaking on industry conference panels, moderating roundtable discussions and leading webinars.
Viceroy Hotel Group is pleased to announce Victoria Stewart as General Manager of Viceroy New York, located on the iconic West 57th Street. Ms. Stewart, a luxury hotel veteran with over 10 years of management experience, began her position in October and is responsible for overseeing the 29-story hotel.
Olshan Properties, one of the country’s leading private owners, developers and operators of commercial real estate, today announced that Matthew B. Winn will join the firm effective January 2015 as chief operating officer.
With nearly 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry and 24 years with Hyatt, Dale's first position at Grand Hyatt New York was as a coffee shop greeter in 1986 and he has now been with the property for 22 years. Dale has spent the last 15 years as Senior Director of Catering for Grand Hyatt New York, where he was directly responsible for seven catering managers and an overall food, beverage and room rental revenue of $40 million. During his time in this role, Dale received the Pritzker Award in 2011, the Director of the Year Award in 2006 and numerous Golden Key Awards. In addition to his positions at Grand Hyatt New York, Dale has also worked in other world-class hotels such as the Waldorf Astoria New York and Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Naylor, who has an impressive sales-based hospitality background, will report in to Jim Mooney, director of sales and marketing, while also working closely alongside General Manager Sean Verney. An experienced Starwood sales executive, Naylor was most recently the director of group sales for the Westin Waltham Hotel in Massachusetts. Naylor took her first Starwood post just over 12 years ago when she joined the Sheraton Braintree team as an on-call sales manager. Her hard work and passion were quickly noticed and rewarded; Naylor moved into the director of catering and convention services role and then was once again promoted to director of group sales. Naylor also had a five-year run at the Boston Park Plaza hotel where she was the director of catering and convention services.
Joining the Andaz 5th Avenue team this season, Michael Santoro brings over 10 years of diverse culinary experience, most recently serving as Owner and Executive Chef of The Mildred Restaurant in Philadelphia. In his new role, Chef Santoro oversees the hotel’s seasonally inspired restaurant, the shop, and the hotel’s cellar bar, the bar downstairs, which serves seasonal, pre-prohibition style cocktails and delectable Latin-style small plate dishes. Chef Santoro also leads the culinary offerings at the hotel’s meetings, events and entertaining space, Apartment 2E.
Mr. Schweikert comes to Trump SoHo with vast management experience, most recently serving as founder of Strata Hospitality Group and its sister company Arambys Inc, which provides owner relations and strategic advice to developers of hotel projects internationally. Previously, Mr. Schweikert served as president of Jumeirah Hospitality and Leisure USA, and concurrently general manager of the Jumeirah Essex House. His career also includes nine years as the regional vice president of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts and managing director of New York’s historic Plaza Hotel, and senior management positions within Hilton Hotels including at the legendary Waldorf Astoria.
Maison Messmer in Baden-Baden, Germany.
M&R Hotel Management, operator of 10 New York hotels, today announced the appointment of Kevin Chang as general manager of the 129-room Holiday Inn Express New York JFK Airport near John F. Kennedy International Airport in Jamaica, New York.
M&R Hotel Management, operator of 10 New York hotels, today announced the appointment of Rosario Bianchi to general manager of the 132-room Holiday Inn NYC-Lower East Side at Delancey and Suffolk streets.
Shan Kanagasingham has been named New York City Area General Manager for 1 Hotels, a new luxury mission-driven brand debuting in early 2015 at the corner of Sixth Avenue and 58th Street. Kanagasingham brings 20 years of luxury experience to 1 Hotels where she will oversee leadership and direct daily operations for 1 Hotel Central Park, and 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Park, opening late 2015, located on the water just south of the Brooklyn Bridge.
Jennifer Rutkowski joins 1 Hotels from The London Hotels where she most recently served as Vice President, Sales & Marketing, for the brand’s hotels and restaurants in New York and Los Angeles. During her tenure, Rutkowski was responsible for consolidating and restructuring all sales, marketing and communication efforts to strengthen cross-promotion of the properties, resulting in a significant increase in room, and food and beverage sales. In addition to consulting for The Blackstone Group, Rutkowski has held various sales and marketing positions with Morgans Hotel Group, New Castle Hotels, Winfair Hospitality Management, and Renaissance Hotels & Resorts.