Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, joined with partners O'Reilly Hospitality Management, LLC, Hankin Enterprises and Fulcrum Management to open the new Cambria hotel & suites McAllen Convention Center in McAllen, Texas today.
Hyatt Regency Austin, located on the shores of Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, has hired Adam Edelman as director of food and beverage. He joins the property from Hyatt Regency San Francisco where he was assistant director of operations.
Evan Danziger joins The Statler with more than 13 years of experience in hotel management. Danziger previously served as General Manager at Embassy Suites Denver International Airport, Assistant General Manager at Embassy Suites Phoenix Scottsdale, Operations Manager of Hyatt Place in Boise, Idaho, and a variety of top-level management positions throughout the United States. Additionally, Danziger owned and operated a recruitment agency, Open Door Hospitality, for five years where he recruited for high-profile companies within the hospitality industry, including Aimbridge Hospitality.
Jennifer Wasserman brings more than 20-years of hotel sales and marketing experience to The Statler, with expertise in opening and converting hotels. Wasserman most recently served as opening Director of Sales and Marketing at The Highland Dallas, the inaugural property for Hilton’s Curio Collection. Prior to that position, she served as an area sales leader for Marriott where she managed five hotels within the downtown Dallas market, and was Director of Sales and Marketing for a multitude of other properties, including the Hilton Bella Harbor in Rockwall, Texas. With a passion for mentorship, Wasserman currently serves as the Director of Leadership for the D/FW chapter of Meeting Professionals International, where the committee was recently nominated for MPI’s RISE award for the growth and success of the chapter’s Mentor Program.
Before joining The Sam Houston, Ms. Rowland worked for Del Mar Destination: Villas Del Mar, Los Cabos, Mexico out of Houston. Rowland was solely responsible for the sales and marketing of the Rental Programs for 40, multi-million dollar villas in the premier ultra-luxury resort in Los Cabos, Mexico. Prior to Del Mar Destination, Rowland was a National Sales Manager for the hotel division of Landry’s Inc. properties generating $1.3-2 million annually in transient and group revenue for a 700 room, 30-acre beach front luxury resort and convention center.
Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc. (NYSE: AHT) ("Ashford Trust" or the "Company") announced today that its Board of Directors has appointed Douglas A. Kessler as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective February 21, 2017. Monty J. Bennett, the Company's previous Chief Executive Officer, remains Chairman of the Board of Ashford Trust. As part of this appointment, Mr. Kessler will not stand for reelection as a Director of Ashford Hospitality Prime, Inc.
John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) today announced that Sandy Clinton is the new director of sales at the company’s 283-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos Hotel, Conference Center & Spa in San Marcos, Texas. Clinton joins JQH with more than 18 years of hospitality experience, including hands-on knowledge of Hays and Bexar Counties and university market expertise in Texas. Springfield, Missouri-based JQH is a leading private, independent owner and manager of hotels in the United States, including operating more than 1 million square feet of superb meeting space.Clinton’s career includes roles as regional director of sales for San Antonio, Texas-based ABH Hospitality Management and as global sales director − state government and associations for Irving, Texas-based La Quinta Hotel Management. She also worked at the Hilton College Station & Conference Center located near Texas A&M University. She was responsible for sales and marketing efforts for the 303-room hotel, which features 27,000 square feet of meeting space. Clinton is a Certified Sales Manager with multiple hotel brands, including Hilton, IHG, and La Quinta Hotels. She also achieved the status of Certified Tourism Ambassador in San Antonio. As an active member in the business community, she has participated in the Society of Government Meeting Planners (SGMP Austin Chapter), the San Antonio Global Business Travel Association (SAGBTA), the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and the San Antonio Relocation Council. For the past three years, Clinton has been a volunteer with the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio. She studied business administration at Sul Ross State University in Texas.
Menke joined Sabre in October 2015 and currently serves as executive vice president of Sabre and president of Sabre Travel Network, Sabre's largest line of business. Under Menke's leadership, Sabre Travel Network has won major new business opportunities, increased global market share and secured Sabre's position as the leading global distribution system in three of its four major operating regions (North America, Latin America and Asia-Pacific), and successfully extended new multi-year agreements with many of its largest global travel management companies, online travel agencies and travel retailers. In addition, he has led the innovation that enables the sale of more customized fares and ancillary products through Sabre Travel Network and strengthened the technology solutions that will be offered to travel agencies next year as part of the launch of the new Sabre Red platform. Prior to Sabre, Menke served as CEO of Frontier Airlines and held senior executive positions at Hawaiian Airlines and Air Canada, among other carriers. He also served as executive vice president at IHS Services, a global technology company. He holds an MBA from the University of Denver and a dual bachelor of science degree in economics and aviation from Ohio State University.
Bringing a decade of hotel sales experience, most of it within the Houston area, to his new role as sales manager, Ryan Zielinski is focused on developing innovative strategies to attract new business to Hotel Granduca Houston while increasing bookings and revenues from corporate, meetings and events clientele. Zielinski arrived at the Uptown Houston property from Magnolia Hotel Houston, where he rose from Corporate Sales Manager to Director of Business Travel over the course of five-and-a-half years. Earning a nomination for Company-Wide Sales Manager of the Year for two consecutive years from Stout Street Hospitality and Hotel Manager of the Year from Magnolia Hotel Houston, Zielinski proved to be a vital asset to executive-level staff. Prior to his time at Magnolia Hotel Houston, Zielinski was One Call Sales Manager for The Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. He also spent three years as Conventions Services Manager at The St. Regis Houston.
John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) today announced that Ben Logan has been hired as the new general manager of the company’s Renaissance Dallas Richardson Hotel located north of downtown Dallas. With 24 years of hospitality experience, including in-depth knowledge of the Dallas/Richardson market, Logan will oversee management of this TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame hotel. The 335-room/suite, AAA Four Diamond property is owned and operated by Springfield, Missouri-based JQH under license from Marriott International, Inc. or one of its affiliates. JQH is a leading private, independent owner and manager of hotels in the United States.
Valencia Group has named Marcus Latner as General Manager of Cavalry Court and The George™ hotels in College Station. Latner, who started as a valet parking attendant more than 13 years ago at Valencia Group’s Hotel Valencia Riverwalk in San Antonio, has extensively risen through the ranks, and as general manager will oversee all aspects of property management and guest satisfaction for Cavalry Court, recently opened on November 18, 2016, and The George™, opening in Spring 2017. “Marcus Latner has a proven track record for leading our properties to success. We feel fortunate to have him overseeing our two newest College Station projects from commencement and further unfolding the motor court concept in the Texas market,” said Valencia Group Vice President of Operations Roy Kretschmer.
David Siguaw has been appointed as the Director of Sales & Marketing at The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio owned and operated by BC LYND. David is respectfully recognized in the hospitality industry as a sales and marketing leader and branding expert who spearheaded the rebranding of iconic properties such as the Eden Roc Renaissance Miami Beach, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Highlands Inn Carmel, Lodge at Mountain Village Telluride, Le Meridian Beverly Hills (now SLS), and the Marriott Marina Del Rey.
Lake Austin Spa Resort has announced the appointment of Janis Clapoff as Managing Director to the 40-room award-winning destination spa in Austin, Texas. Clapoff joined the 220-person team on October 24, 2016, and brings over 30 years of experience with a strong emphasis in the luxury hospitality industry.
Hyatt Regency Austin, located on the shores of Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, has announced Chris Howard as its new director of sales and marketing. Howard joins the hotel from Hyatt Regency New Brunswick where he was the director of sales and marketing.
Sabre Corporation, the leading technology provider to the global travel industry, has appointed Alfred de Cárdenas as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of its Travel Network organization, which spans the GDS travel marketplace and Traveler Experience businesses. With more than 28 years of commercial strategy, operations and executive management experience, de Cárdenas will be responsible for leading global sales, sales operations and business development initiatives.
Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek is pleased to announce the appointment of Tom Parlo as Executive Chef. Parlo will begin his new journey at the well known Dallas hotel and restaurant in October 2016.
John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts (JQH) today announced that Stephanie McClure has joined the company as the new director of sales at JQH’s Renaissance Dallas Richardson Hotel located north of downtown Dallas. With 18 years of hospitality experience, including with Marriott brands and primarily based in Texas, McClure will oversee the sales and marketing team of this TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame hotel. The 335-room/suite, AAA Four Diamond hotel is owned and operated by Springfield, Missouri-based JQH under license from Marriott International, Inc. or one of its affiliates. JQH is a leading private, independent owner and manager of hotels in the United States.Most recently, McClure served as vice president of training and leadership at Texas-based Pillar Hotels & Resorts, where she guided more than 100 general managers and sales leaders through the required Marriott Access Edge training as a Marriott Certified Coach. She also held the positions of regional vice president of sales and regional director of sales during her time with the company. In addition, McClure was regional director of sales and director of sales and marketing for Prism Hotels & Resorts in Dallas, where she was responsible for a portfolio of 15 full-service hotels. She is active in the hospitality industry, including having served on the Board of Directors of the Dallas Hospitality Marketing Association for Holiday Inn and on the Board of Directors for the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI)/Dallas Chapter. McClure also volunteers in her local community with an emphasis on education and sports. She currently serves on the Allen Eagles Lacrosse Club Executive Board in Texas and also has participated on the Allen Eagles Home Run Club Board of Directors and Allen Sports Association Lacrosse Board. McClure holds a bachelor of business administration from Texas A&M University − Commerce.
La Quinta Inns & Suites announces the appointment of hospitality industry veteran, Mr. J. Sal Icaza, as Director of Development for the Northeast who will be responsible for the growth of the La Quinta brand in MD, PA, DE, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, NH, VT and ME. Icaza brings more than 20 years of industry experience to this role and joins La Quinta after holding senior franchise sales positions at Choice Hotels International, Hilton Hotel Corporation and consumer brands outside the hotel industry. He was also the Chief Development and Operating Officer at Cherry Cove Hospitality Management, a successful ownership and management company he helped build from the ground up.Mr. Icaza is involved in numerous civic and charitable causes and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Memphis. He lives in Southern Maryland with his wife and four children.
Hyatt Regency Austin, located on the shores of Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, has hired Kressa Olguin as its new marketing manager. Olguin joins the property from Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa where she was a group sales manager.
Four Seasons Hotel Austin has announced the appointment of Rich McGonnigal as Director of Sales and Marketing, overseeing sales, catering, public relations and reservations at the 291-room luxury hotel in downtown Austin.