Liberty Group has named Jennifer Hand general manager of the upcoming Aloft hotel. The 130-room Aloft hotel, under construction at the Mercantile Bank building, is now scheduled to open July 3, said Punit Shah, Liberty Group’s president and chief operating officer. Hand most recently was senior sales manager of the Wyndham Tampa Westshore. That hotel has since changed flags and become the Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore.
Allan most recently held the position of general manager of Pier Sixty-Six, down the street from his new assignment at the 25-story, all-suite flagship property. No stranger to Hilton, Allan was part of the Hilton family as hotel manager at GALLERYone, a DoubleTree by Hilton all-suites resort on the Intracoastal waterways. Allan started his career with Hilton Worldwide in food and beverage at the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort and Towers. Early in his career, he was instrumental in establishing Shula's Steak Houses as a nationally recognized restaurant brand, growing the organization from two restaurants to over thirty locations in most major markets.
Laura Santoni, a 25 year veteran with Marriott, has been announced as the new Vice President of Global Sales for the Caribbean and Latin America. As a key member of Marriott's Global Sales leadership team, Laura will be responsible for providing strategic sales leadership and management oversight to the global sales teams currently deployed throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Working in tandem with the region's sales & marketing leaders, Laura and her team will develop and implement sales strategies that optimize profitable market share from targeted high-value accounts. Laura began her Marriott career in 1991 as Director, Travel Industry Sales of the Orlando Marriott Hotel. Since then she has successfully held numerous positions including General Manager of the 1100-room Marriott Village at Lake Buena Vista in Orlando, Vice President, of Sales for the Northern Mid-America Area sales and most currently, Laura held the position of Vice President of Sales for Florida.
Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed Gregory A. Majka director of catering & conference services for Bonaventure Resort & Spa, a Benchmark Resort® located in Fort Lauderdale. Charles Reece, Benchmark's general manager at the resort, made the announcement. Greg Majka was most recently director of catering & convention services for both the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Myers, Florida, and the Westin St. Maarten Resort, Spa & Casino, located on Sint Maarten in the Caribbean. Mr. Majka previously served in the same professional role for resorts and hotels within the Starwood organization, including the Westin Park Plaza in Dallas and the Westin Fort Lauderdale.
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, the largest full-service beachfront resort on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, has announced the completion of renovations at their award-wining Serenity by the sea Spa, and the appointment of Rhonda Davis as the new spa director. A Tennessee native, Davis began her journey in the spa industry as a private practice massage therapist in Memphis in 2003. In 2007 she was presented an opportunity to work with The Spa at The Four Seasons in Miami, which launched career as hotel spa director. Prior to Serenity by the sea, Davis was spa director at Sports Club LA in Miami, Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort in Tampa, Fla. and most recently, Spa Oceana at the historic Lowes Don Cesar Spa Oceana in St. Pete Beach, Fla. In addition to her spa experience, Davis has had more than 20 years of corporate retail experience in soft and hardline industries. She previously held positions of regional trainer, recovery trainer and district manager with companies such as Lenox China, Dress Barn and Stone Mountain Handbags.
Morey’s career in the restaurant industry spans 30 years. Before joining the team at Boca Raton Resort & Club, he worked as Director of Operations at Weston Restaurant Group, overseeing a diverse portfolio of eateries, and Rare Las Olas before joining a privately held national restaurant company as a regional manager. An oenophile by nature, Morey holds an Advanced Diplomas (Level III) from The Court of Master Sommeliers and has spent time as Cellarmaster to a private wine collector. There he directed the design and construction of a 4,500 sq. ft. partially subterranean wine storage and entertainment facility totaling nearly 50,000 bottles. Morey graduated with a business degree from Georgetown University in just two and a half years while working in Washington D.C. restaurants.
Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed Mike Lauria director of operations for Bonaventure Resort & Spa, a Benchmark Resort® located in Fort Lauderdale. Charles Reece, Benchmark's general manager at the resort, made the announcement.Mike Lauria was previously director of rooms for the award-winning Bonaventure. He has served the resort in several operational areas of increasing responsibility. Lauria began his career with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, working for properties in New York, Virginia, Florida and Aruba.
Feder joins Trump National Doral Miami as one of South Florida's most accomplished hospitality executives. With more than 35 years of industry experience, he has presided over some of the nation's most prestigious resorts including Boca Resort and Club, Fontainebleau, Arizona Biltmore and Turnberry Isle, to name a few. Under Feder's direct leadership, these properties have excelled in performance and have received esteemed honors from some of the most notable hospitality organizations and highly coveted awards from the industry's leading media. Feder currently serves on the Resort Committee for the American Lodging & Hotel Association, advising the strategic direction of the nation's most trusted hospitality organization. More than just an industry expert, Feder is a highly respected and distinguished figure in the South Florida community, holding a governor appointed position on the Board of Trustees for Florida Atlantic University. Additionally, he previously presided over the Palm Beach Hotel Association, served on the American Heart Association Leadership Circle and held previous board membership for the Boca Raton Community Hospital. Feder is the recipient of the Gulf Stream Council Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizens Award, The Palm Beach International Film Festival Founder's Award and the LEAH Bridge Builders Award.
Hyatt veteran Patricia (Pat) Engfer has been appointed area vice president and general manager of Orlando's Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress. Most recently general manager at Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, Engfer has more than 35 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry.
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and MMGY Global presented the "Caribbean Hotelier of the Year" award to hospitality veteran George Markantonis, president and managing director, Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas at the annual Caribbean Travel Marketplace.
Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed Suya Davenport corporate director of leisure sales for the company's Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels® brand. Ms. Davenport is based in Naples, Florida, and operates out of offices within Benchmark's Naples Bay Resort, a Personal Luxury Resort located in the city. This is a new position for Benchmark Hospitality and Personal Luxury Resorts & Hotels. Ted Davis, chief sales and marketing officer for Benchmark Hospitality International, made the announcement. Suya Davenport was previously director of sales & marketing for ONE Bal Harbour Resort & Spa in Bal Harbour, Florida, and at Naples Bay Resort, in Naples, Florida. Prior to joining Benchmark Hospitality International, Ms. Davenport served as executive director of the Lee County Visitors & Convention Bureau in Fort Myers, which under her leadership received three Flagler Awards by VISIT FLORIDA and a Destiny Award from the U.S. Travel Association. Earlier in her career, she served in sales leadership positions at major luxury-brand hotels and resorts on both coasts of Florida and in the Caribbean.
Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed David Friedberg director of sales & marketing for Bonaventure Resort & Spa, a Benchmark Resort® located in Fort Lauderdale. Charles Reece, Benchmark's general manager at the resort, made the announcement. David Friedberg was most recently director of sales for The Kalahari Resort of Sandusky, Ohio, the largest resort and convention center under one roof in the Midwestern U.S. Previous to this, Mr. Friedberg held several sales & marketing leadership positions within Marriott Hotels and Resorts. These included serving as director of sales and marketing for the Saddlebrook Marriott in Saddle Brook, New Jersey, the Marriott East Side in New York City, and for both the Crystal Gateway and Crystal City Marriott hotels in Arlington, Virginia.
Hutchcraft brings to the B Resort a depth of experience, having served 18 years in hospitality sales. Most recently, she was task force Director of Sales and Marketing for Hospitality Ventures Management Group at the International Palms Resort and Conference Center, Orlando. While there, she led a nine-person sales team, directing all sales and marketing initiatives for the 642-room property. Prior to that, Hutchcraft served as the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Reunion Wyndham Grand Golf and Spa Resort near Orlando. In this role, she coordinated successful marketing and branding campaigns between the resort and corporate marketing departments and organized cross-training and cross-selling programs for three properties in the Grand Golf Resorts of Florida portfolio. Earlier, Hutchcraft was Director of Sales at The Shores Resort & Spa, Daytona Beach, Fla., where she transitioned the property under new management, coming in under budget, while also achieving all sales goals.
Orlando hotel industry veteran Adnan Bizri has been named the opening general manager of Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, which is scheduled to welcome its first guests in early 2014. Bizri has held executive positions at Universal’s three on-site deluxe hotels and brings an extensive depth of knowledge in the resort’s joint venture hotel operations. Prior to this promotion, he served as executive assistant manager of Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando. Bizri joined Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando in 1999, after serving as general manager at the Sanctuary at Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona and the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management from Nova University and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Outside of work, Bizri volunteers as president of the Orange County Police Athletic League. He resides in Orlando with his wife and children.
As Director of National Accounts, Mara Bonfeld will be focused on accounts in the Northeast market and concentrate on boosting revenues from meetings and event clientele. She joined the resort following nearly two years as an independent business and event consultant in New York City, which remains her base of operations.
As Director of Marketing, Maureen Holden leads a myriad of efforts on behalf of Sawgrass including marketing, e-commerce and business development, strategic brand management, media buying, integrated marketing and more. She joined the resort from the Santa Claran Hotel Casino in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she was Executive Director of Marketing for the past two years.
Jordan, whose 23-year career in hospitality and convention sales has spanned national markets, will be responsible for directing a sales team of 10 managers as well as managing the sales and marketing operations for the hotel conveniently located inside WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort. Most recently, Jordan served as director of group sales at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she led her team in exceeding record high group rooms, resulting in outstanding results and positive market share. Prior to that, Jordan served as director of association sales at the Orlando World Center and has held numerous sales positions with Marriott International over the past 20 years at premier convention and resort hotels.
Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed John MacMullen area director of sales and marketing. Mr. MacMullen is based in Benchmark's Miami office. Eric Gavin, Benchmark's regional vice president of sales & marketing officer, made the announcement. In his new position, John MacMullen will be responsible for the regional sales and marketing initiatives for Benchmark Hospitality within the Caribbean and Latin America. This includes directing the sales and marketing initiatives for Benchmark's Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort, Curacao.
Benchmark Hospitality International®, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has appointed John Kingston director of human resources for the Villas of Grand Cypress. Mark Cox, Benchmark's general manager for the Villas, Benchmark's Personal Luxury Resort® in Orlando, Florida, made the announcement. John Kingston comes to his new position with significant experience in human resource operations for luxury hotels. He was previously director of human resource operations for the JW Marriott Grande Lakes Resort, located in Orlando. He served in the same position for the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, following success as assistant director of human resources at the resort's sister property in Orlando. Earlier in his career, Mr. Kingston held positions of increasing responsibility in human resources for hotels coast to coast.
Hoellrigle will oversee the operations of the 13-story, 231 guest suite resort, located on the Intracoastal Waterway, just two blocks from Fort Lauderdale beaches, effective immediately. He most recently held the position of director of operations at Hilton Sharm Waterfalls Resort in Egypt, a position he held since 2009.