The Statler Hotel on the Cornell University campus is pleased to announce the promotion of Thomas Gisler to director of food and beverage. Gisler had served as executive chef of the Statler since 2005. In his expanded role, he will leverage his substantial culinary wisdom and experience as he oversees both front-of-the-house and back-of-the-house food-and-beverage (F&B) operations at the hotel.
Novotel, the midscale brand from AccorHotels, has announced the appointment of Alain D’Addio as General Manager of Novotel New York Times Square. In this role, D’Addio will oversee all operations of the hotel’s U.S. flagship, with responsibilities including sales and marketing, food & beverage, and assuring an inviting and exciting stay for guests. D’Addio joins Novotel New York Times Square from Novotel Moscow City, where as General Manager he created innovative food & beverage projects; achieved the highest turnover, profitability and fee contribution to AccorHotels Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States; and played a key role in helping the hotel become a market leader.
BridgeStreet Global Hospitality the leading solution for international serviced apartment experiences announces the appointment of Kevin Toomer as Director of Sales for New York City. Kevin will focus on leading BridgeStreets New York City sales team and driving revenue in the market. In addition, he will be a valuable contributor in the areas of marketing, business development and strategy.
Savills Studley announced today that it has strengthened its commercial real estate structured financing capability with the addition of Cara Leonard, an experienced hotel investment banking recruit who will join the groups Hotel Investment Banking platform as Senior Managing Director in Los Angeles. Cara will be part of Savills Global Hotel Group led by George Nicholas. Prior to joining Savills Studley, Cara was the strategic head of the structured finance platform at Lowe Enterprise Investors (LEI) where she was responsible for sourcing, underwriting, structuring and negotiating debt and preferred equity investments in hotels. In that role, she also led portfolio and asset management and played a key role in capital formation and investment strategy. While at LEI, Cara also served as the portfolio manager for the firm’s hospitality fund and led investor marketing for the firms comingled funds and separate accounts.
The previous Executive Assistant Manager of Food & Beverage, Murtagh will continue to bring powerful leadership, direction and operational accountability for both rooms and food and beverage divisions in her new role as Resident Manager. With experience spanning twenty years in the hospitality industry, Murtagh has held impressive leadership roles throughout her career within diverse enterprises, including Hershey Entertainment and Resort Company, CapStar, Interstate, Kimpton, Merritt/HEI, Northwood Hospitality and the Luxury division of Hilton Worldwide. Murtagh earned a bachelor’s degree from The Cornell School of Hotel Administration with a concentration in Food and Beverage.
Garcelon is no stranger to the kitchen with over twenty years of executive chef experience held at various locations across North America. In addition to his previous role as Director of Culinary at Waldorf Astoria New York, Garcelon’s extensive experience in the industry make him uniquely qualified for his new role as Executive Director of Food & Beverage. Prior to joining Waldorf Astoria New York, Garcelon held positions at Fairmont Royal Hotel in Toronto, The Fairmont Southampton Bermuda, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper, Alberta; and CP Hotels’ The Lodge at Kananaskis, Kananaskis, Alberta where he implemented programming to support sustainability and further his passion for food. Garcelon, a transplant from New Brunswick, Canada, is a graduate of Cornell University and alumni of the Culinary Institute of Canada. He is also a Certified Food and Beverage Executive with the American Hotel & Motel Association and a Certified Executive Chef with the American Culinary Federation.
Gemstone Hotels and Resorts, a full-service hotel management company that specializes in operating luxury and upscale urban hotels and resorts, today announced that William Parris has joined the company as national sales director. In his new position, Parris will open a NYC sales office, with a focus on group and national accounts, as well as the social, entertainment and travel industry markets. With 16 operating hotels, and several others either opening or coming under management over the next year, Parris’ impact will be felt immediately throughout the national portfolio.
The Marriott Syracuse Downtown today announced the executive leadership team for the historic hotel. Currently in the latter stages of a $70 million renovation to restore the historic former Hotel Syracuse to its 20th Century grandeur, the hotel is slated to open in July 2016. Experienced hotelier, Paul McNeil was named General Manager of the property in 2015.
The Knickerbocker, the luxury hotel and New York City landmark located steps from Times Square and Bryant Park, announces Mario Busquets as the new Director of Sales & Marketing. Effective immediately, Mario works in tandem with the executive team on the strategic direction of hotel operations, overseeing all sales and marketing initiatives, the Knickerbocker’s leisure and group sales divisions, and managing all communications initiatives. Busquets’ experience in the marketing and sales industry spans well over a decade, having held sales and marketing positions with several high-end properties from coast to coast. Most recently, Busquets served as City Director of Sales for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, where he played an integral role in managing the sales team, top-line revenues and business development for the Kimpton properties of New York City. Previously, Busquets was the Director of Sales & Marketing for W New York.
Gabriela Guevara comes to Duetto with management experience in revenue management at Hilton Worldwide. At Hilton, she supported several high profile properties as a Revenue Manager and Revenue Analyst. She has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Hospitality Administration/Management from New York University.
Michael Klein brings more than a decade of management experience in hotel, travel and entertainment revenue management and analytics. He joined Duetto from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., where he served as Associate Director, Revenue Analytics. He also served as Director of Revenue Analytics or Director of Revenue Management at the Waldorf Astoria, New York, The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, and the Fairmont Newport Beach, California, and the Fairmont Heritage Place, Ghirardelli Square. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration, University of Nevada-Las Vegas.
Real Hospitality Group (RHG) is delighted to announce the appointment of Alicia Luke as General Manager of Hotel Shocard, which will make its debut later this month. As a skilled associate of the hospitality industry, Luke will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and activities of the hotel, as well as overseeing the space through the final stages of the opening.
M&R Hotel Management, operator of 16 hotels including 13 in New York, today announced the appointment of Danny Sanchez-Toro as general manager of the 129-room Holiday Inn Express New York JFK Airport Area near John F. Kennedy International Airport in Jamaica, New York.
Hyatt Times Square New York is pleased to announce the appointment of Executive Chef Nicholas Pelliccione as Director of Food and Beverage Operations. In this new position, Pelliccione will provide vision and oversight for the hotel’s events spaces, restaurant to-go and the hotel’s vibrant restaurant and lounge, including T45, which offers classic American comfort food with a creative twist and Bar 54, one of the city’s highest rooftop lounges with breathtaking river-to-river views, gourmet bites and a bevy of creatively crafted cocktails.
Conrad New York announces the appointment of Max Harris as Director of Food and Beverage. In his new role, Harris will provide strategic leadership and execution for the hotel’s food and beverage concepts, including ATRIO Wine Bar and Restaurant, and Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar. Harris has nearly 10 years of experience to guide Conrad New York’s unique culinary programs, centered on creativity, innovation and complete guest satisfaction.
Loews Regency New York Hotel, the iconic Park Avenue hotel in Midtown Manhattan, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicholas Farina as Hotel Manager. In his new position, Farina will oversee all day-to-day operations and overall guest experiences while ensuring the implementation of strategic hotel initiatives.
The New York City landmark hotel The Knickerbocker, located at the edge of Times Square and near Bryant Park, announces the appointment of Shawn Hauver as the new Managing Director. In this role, Hauver will be responsible for driving overall operations and guest satisfaction of the luxury hotel’s 330 guestrooms, signature restaurant and bar Charlie Palmer at The Knick, rooftop bar St. Cloud, ground level café, Jake’s and 2,200-square-foot event space.
Loews Regency New York Hotel is pleased to announce the appointment of Catherine Medrano as Executive Chef. In her new role, Chef Medrano oversees daily operations for The Regency Bar & Grill, the hotel’s signature restaurant and home of the famed “Power Breakfast”, as well as In Room Dining. In addition, she is responsible for menu development, training staff, supervising culinary presentations and ensuring exceptional experiences for the restaurant and hotel guests.
Highgate has appointed Rob Dann as Executive Vice President of Operations overseeing the management of Highgate’s portfolio of properties in Massachusetts, Washington D.C., and Florida.
sbe Hotel Group, the Los Angeles-based leading lifestyle hospitality company that develops, manages and operates award-wining hospitality venues, announces the appointment of Paul Sposare as Area Director of Sales & Marketing for The Redbury New York and SLS Park Avenue. In his new role, Sposare will provide strategic leadership for the continued evolution of sbe Hotel Group’s award-winning hotels, overseeing all of the marketing and sales efforts for the two new hotel locations opening in 2016 in New York City. Under Sposare’s guidance, sbe Hotel Group plans to transform the Martha Washington Hotel into The Redbury New York, a 256-room destination in early 2016.