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Appointment

Donald Stamets has been appointed as Hotel Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach

Over the course of his career, Stamets has worked with a number of established hotels in the United States. He has dedicated his career to five Ritz-Carlton hotels over the past decade, including properties in Orlando, South Beach and Amelia Island, Fla., as well as Boston and Rancho Mirage, Calif. His experience at these establishments ranged from handling major meetings and events to directing and managing the entire hotel staff. Prior to becoming part of The Ritz-Carlton team, Stamets began his hotel tenure at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites in Los Angeles, where he spent six years and received 11 promotions. Stamets is a graduate of the esteemed Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management and graduated Cum Laude.

Ritz-Carlton
Palm Beach, Florida, United States
Appointment

David Casey has been named Director of Sales and Marketing at Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa

Casey has had 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry with sales and marketing positions with the Waldorf=Astoria, Hilton Hotels, and Carnival Hotels and Casinos. Most recently, Casey served as vice president of sales & marketing for a prominent hotel development and management company where he worked with brands including the Intercontinental Hotel Group, Choice Hotels and Hilton Hotels. Prior to that, as vice president hotel sales & marketing, he headed the pre-opening sales and marketing team of the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino followed by his position as vice president of sales & marketing for Skip Barber Racing School, both located in Connecticut. Casey served on the board of several professional and civic organizations including the Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce; Meeting Professionals International; Professional Convention Management Association; the American Society of Association Executives; and the Easter Seals New Orleans. In his spare time, Casey, who resides in Weston, Fla. with his wife, Mary Beth, enjoys sports car racing, golf and Cajun cooking.

Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center & Spa
Weston, Florida, United States
Appointment

Kerry Mitruska has been named Senior Sales Manager at Naples Bay Resort

Kerry Mitruska was previously vice president sales and marketing for Coral Hospitality of Naples, Florida. In this role he oversaw the sales and marketing programming for a portfolio of twelve resorts in a variety of markets. Prior to this, Mr. Mitruska served as director of sales and marketing for Interstate Hotels & Resorts of Fort Myers, Florida, responsible for six properties. He has also been employed as area director of sales and marketing for LXR Resorts of Naples. Mr. Mitruska has previously served as director of sales for the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, Florida, and held the title of executive director of group sales for Kerzner International Resorts, Inc., of Fort Lauderdale. Earlier in his career, Kerry Mitruska worked in sales leadership positions internationally, including serving as director of sales and marketing for The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Brunei, Darussalam; area director of marketing for the five-star Four Seasons-Regent Hotels of Bangkok, Thailand; and as director of sales and marketing for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company of Sydney, Australia. He launched his hospitality career holding sales positions with the Ritz Carlton organization, with the Westin Hilton Head in North Carolina, and for the Ocean Reef Club of Key Largo, Florida. Kerry Mitruska is a graduate of Johnson & Wales University of Providence, RI

Naples Bay Resort
Naples, Florida, United States
Appointment

Monica Smiley has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Costa d'Este Beach Resort

Monica Smiley was previously the director of operations for Costa d’Este Beach Resort, a position she was appointed to in March of 2008. She has served in a number of executive-level assignments within the hospitality industry over the past two decades. These include front office manager in charge of Reception, Reservations, Guest Services, Concierge, and Switchboard; revenue manager; night audit; as well as group and transient sales positions. A native of Texas, Ms. Smiley served for many years in positions of increasing responsibility at The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center in The Woodlands, Texas. She was previously was employed by Benchmark Hospitality when the company operated Del Lago Golf Resort and Conference Center. She began her career at Stage Stores, Inc., serving in retail management. Ms. Smiley attended The University of Houston. She currently serves as chairman of the Indian River County Tourism Board and also is active on the Indian River County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She resides in Vero Beach.

Pyramid Global Hospitality
Vero Beach, Florida, United States
Appointment

R. Michael King has been named General Manager at Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Hilton Hotels has named veteran hotelier R. Michael King as general manager of its soon-to-open Waldorf Astoria Orlando. King, who spent the past 20 years of his 25-year career with Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co., was most recently general manager of the Ritz-Carlton Denver. His is a graduate of Kennesaw State University in Georgia and is a member of a variety of trade organizations, including the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. The hotel will be the first to bear the Waldorf Astoria name outside New York City, where the hotel is a landmark. The new 497-room hotel, which will be paired with a 1,000-room Hilton Hotel, represents an expansion of Hilton’s luxury-lodging portfolio

Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Orlando, Florida, United States
Appointment

Sheldon Suga has been named Managing Director at Hawks Cay

Suga joins Hawks Cay from Realizing Visions, LLC, a management-consulting firm in Orlando, Florida, which he founded as Sheldon Suga & Associates in 1998 providing organizational management assistance to major hotel organizations. Previously, Suga spent four years with Gaylord Entertainment Company, holding positions as Senior Vice President/General Manager of the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, a 2,000-room resort in Harbor, Maryland, and as Vice President/Hotel Manager at Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida. Prior to Gaylord, Suga was with Wyndham International. He joined the hotel group as Area Director of Operations/General Manager of Wyndham Atlanta Downtown in 2002 before moving on to General Manager of Wyndham Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Suga began his career in the hospitality industry with ITT Sheraton Corporation in 1974. Over 24 years with the company, he enjoyed management positions in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, San Diego, CA, Los Angeles, CA and Tokyo, Japan. An active and engaged professional, Suga has been involved with numerous organizations including Osceola YMCA, the Maryland Tourism Development Board, and the Children’s Ministry Board of the Community Church of Vero Beach. Suga is a native of Canada. He earned a degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Administration from Ryerson Polytechnic Institute in Toronto, Ontario. Sheldon is an avid Saltwater fly fisherman, diver and, enjoys a number of outdoor activities.

Hawks Cay
Duck Key, Florida, United States
Appointment

Marcos Agostini has been promoted to VP Resort Sales And Service, Latin America at Interval International

In this role, he oversees Interval’s presence in Central/South America and Mexico and plays a lead role in building the company’s developer client base in the region. He also serves in the same capacity for Preferred ResidencesTM, a branded membership and exchange program for luxury fractional resorts and private residences clubs. Agostini joined Interval in 1993 in the company’s Venezuela office and since then he has held various management positions of increasing scope. As international member services manager, Agostini oversaw the member services departments of Interval’s offices throughout Latin America, including Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil. Most recently, he was assistant vice president for Latin America. He is a member of the board of the Mexican Resort Development Association (Asociación Mexicana de Desarrolladores Turísticos, AMDETUR) and an active participant in the American Resort Development Association (ARDA).

Interval International
Miami, Florida, United States
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Appointment

Corinne Whittington has been named National Sales Manager at The Westin Beach Resort and the Sheraton Yankee Clipper Hotel

With more than five years of Westin Resorts sales experience, Whittington joins the complex from The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Fla., and The Diplomat Golf Resort & Spa, Hallandale Beach, Fla., where she served as the Midwest national sales manager. Prior to that position, Whittington was responsible for managing groups of up to 150 guestrooms on peak as group sales manager for the two properties. The Westin Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale opened March 2009, after completing the first phase in its extensive multi-million dollar rebirth. The beachfront resort will soon provide more than 32,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space and an 8,100-square-foot Heavenly Spa by Westin. “Considering her past experience with Westin Resorts, Ms. Whittington has strong knowledge of the brand and is extremely well suited to serve our group customers,” said Amaury Piedra, complex general manager. “We are thrilled to have her on our Fort Lauderdale team.”

The Westin Beach Resort and the Sheraton Yankee Clipper Hotel
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Appointment

Elizabeth Dexter has been appointed as National Sales Manager at the Regent Bal Harbour

Dexter comes to The Regent Bal Harbour following three years as Director of International Sales of Tropical Incentives, DMC, a destination management outfit focused on Mexico. Dexter ran the US-based office of Tropical Incentives in Hollywood, Florida. While there, she was pivotal in creating an effective team of U.S. and Mexico-based Sales Representatives and enhancing the company’s profile by initiating and implementing green and socially responsible policies and practices. Previously, Dexter was Director of Group Sales at Fiesta Americana Hotel, a Five Diamond property in Cancun, Mexico from 2004-2006. Before that she built an impressive record of achievement and advancement as Director of Sales at three Wyndham Hotel properties in Jamaica and Florida, including Wyndham Rose Hall (2002-2004), Wyndham Grand Bay Hotel (2000-2002) and Wyndham Miami Biscayne Bay (1998-2000). Her big hospitality break came as Director of Sales at Renaissance Jaragua Hotel in the Dominican Republic in 1994. A native of New York, Dexter earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management at Florida International University in Miami. She is fluent in English and Spanish.

the Regent Bal Harbour
Bal Harbour, Florida, United States
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Appointment

Cindy Lew has been named Director of Marketing at on CeSar Beach Resort, A Loews Hotel

Before joining the Don Cesar team, Lew served as the director of marketing at the Loews Denver Hotel. Lew has 13 years of experience with Loews Hotels, starting her path with the company in 1996 as a sales manager at The Loews New York Hotel. In November 2003, she became the interim director of marketing at Loews Beverly Hills Hotel and continued her career as the creative director and director of national accounts at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. As developer of several programs adopted company wide, a recipient of the Loews Hotels Marketer of the Year and Sales Manager of the Year awards, Lew has been dubbed the company’s “creative conscious” by John Thacker, the managing director and regional vice president for Loews Hotels. Prior to her experience with Loews Hotels, Lew worked as the director of sales and marketing at The Viceroy in Santa Monica. She also held the position of west coast regional director of corporate travel for Accor International Hotels, a chain with more than 4,000 properties worldwide.

Loews
St. Pete Beach, Florida, United States
Appointment

Burt Cabañas has been appointed as Chairman of the Industry Advisory Board at Florida International University’s School of Hospitality

Benchmark Hospitality International has announced that Burt Cabañas, the company’s founder, chairman and CEO, has been appointed chair of the Industry Advisory Board at Florida International University’s (FIU) School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, located in Miami. Mr. Cabañas has a long-term relationship with FIU and the School of Hospitality, having received his Bachelor of Science degree from the university in 1976. Mr. Cabañas also holds the title of Honorary Community Professor for the School of Hospitality and has served on the School's Industry Advisory Board for several years, the last six as vice chairman. A long-term industry leader, Burt Cabañas is a founding member, past president, and former board member of the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC), the leading authority governing the conference center industry globally. In 1988, he was honored with the organization's Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to the industry. Active in many aspects of IACC during his term as president, Mr. Cabañas co-authored the "Uniform System of Accounts for Conference Centers." Burt Cabañas founded Benchmark Hospitality International nearly 30 years ago.

Florida International University’s School of Hospitality
Miami, Florida, United States
Appointment

Scott Brooks has been appointed as at W Fort Lauderdale

Scott Brooks has been named general manager for W Fort Lauderdale, which is scheduled to open this spring. Brooks has more than 20 years of hotel industry experience. Previously, he was the general manager for the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa in Hawaii, as well as the Westin Santa Clara in California. Brooks also served as the West Coast director of operations for Grand Heritage Hotel Group, responsible for the region’s operations and acquisition opportunities as part of the rebirth of the luxury hotel group. His skills and expertise have been utilized in Westin hotels and resorts across the country. Brooks received his bachelor of business administration from Georgia State University. W Fort Lauderdale will mark the W brand’s debut in Florida, with a second W brand hotel, W South Beach, set to open later this spring. With 10 years of proven success, W Hotels will triple its footprint by 2011 in vibrant primary destinations around the world, from Barcelona to London, Santiago to St. Petersburg, and Shanghai to Bali.

Starwood
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
Appointment

Peter Willis has been named Senior Vice President of Hotel Acquisitions & Business Development at Fisher Property Group

Fisher Property Group, a privately held real estate holding company, today announced that Peter Willis has joined the company as senior vice president to spearhead hotel acquisitions and business development. In his new role, he will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating and structuring transactions for hotel assets and management contracts. Immediately prior to joining Fisher Property Group, Willis was senior vice president at The Kor Group, where he played a lead role in sourcing, negotiating and underwriting hotel investments and management contract prospects in addition to supporting strategic acquisitions and corporate planning efforts.

Island Hospitality
Florida, Florida, United States
Appointment

Nicholas DiMeglio has been appointed as Vice President at The Ritz-Carlton Club

Most recently, DiMeglio was the general manager at The Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands where he increased Member and employee engagement as well as improved the profitability of ancillary businesses. DiMeglio joined The Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands after previously serving as general manager of The Williamsburg Inn in historic Colonial Williamsburg, Va.

The Ritz-Carlton Club
Orlando, Florida, United States
Appointment

Doug McLain has been appointed as Regional Director of Sales and Marketing at The Obadon Hotel Group

McLain will oversee all sales, marketing and revenue generating functions at Obadon, whose portfolio also includes The Omphoy Ocean Resort in Palm Beach, The Traymore Hotel in South Beach, and the Mayfair Hotel & Spa in Coconut Grove. Mclain boasts more than 25 years of experience in the corporate, franchise and international hotel industry. After graduating the Hotel and Restaurant Management program at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s with a bachelors of science, McLain began his career at The Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City before spending the next eight years with Interstate Hotels. McLain moved on to hold various positions at Wyndham International, including regional director of business development for more then 20 hotels and resorts in Florida and the Caribbean; director of sales and marketing for the Wyndham Bonaventure Resort & Spa; director of group sales at the Wyndham Palace Resort and Spa; national sales representative for the Midwest region, Wyndham El Conquistador Resort & Country Club & Las Casitas Village; and director of sales and marketing at the Wyndham El San Juan Hotel and Casino. Most recently, McLain was the corporate director of sales and marketing at Core Hospitality, LLC.

The Obadon Hotel Group
West Palm beach, Florida, United States
Appointment

Mark Jeffrey has been named General Manager at Doral Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort

Jeffrey began his Marriott tenure as an assistant housekeeping manager at Marriott's Rancho Las Palmas Resort in California and quickly climbed the ranks. For the past seven years he served as general manager of the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort & Spa in Lexington, KY, where he grew sales 50%, oversaw a $12.5-million renovation and was recognized with the Regional Marriott GM Sales Leadership Award (2006-2007) and Marriott Hotels & Resorts GM Sales Leadership Award (2004). Other posts that Jeffrey has held throughout his rich hospitality career include general manager of Omaha Marriott Hotel in Nebraska; director of operations at Marriott’s Tan-Tar-A Resort & Golf Club in Missouri; food and beverage manager at Desert Springs JW Marriott Palm Desert Resort & Spa in California; and director of services at Marriott World Center Orlando in Florida. Jeffrey is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel Management.

Marriott
Miami, Florida, United States
Appointment

Tyler Orwig has been appointed as Director of Sales & Marketing at Hyatt Regency Coral Gables

Prior to his appointment at Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, Tyler was part of a successful opening sales team at Grand Hyatt San Antonio. His expertise was essential in achieving record sales for the hotel. A Pennsylvania State University alumnus, Tyler holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management and is currently a member of the American Society of Association Executives. Located in the heart of historic downtown Coral Gables and walking distance from the Miracle Mile, December marked the completion of a $10 million transformation of the hotel. The luxurious new rooms have a chic Moorish design to reflect the hotel’s decor theme, which pays tribute to the Alhambra Palace in Spain.

Hyatt
Coral Gables, Florida, United States
Appointment

Raul Pino has been appointed as General Manager at Marriott's Villas at Doral

Pino is now responsible for the Marriott Vacation Club resort which is located adjacent to the 650 acre Doral Golf Resort & Spa, A Marriott Resort. Marriott’s Villas at Doral includes 141 two-bedroom villas overlooking the Great White Golf Course, a Greg Norman Signature Course. Each villa boasts a fully-equipped kitchen with granite countertops, spacious living and dining areas, luxurious bedding package, and multiple televisions with DVD players. A 22-year Marriott veteran, Pino began his career in 1986 in loss prevention at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay where he was later promoted to director of loss prevention. Pino progressed to regional director of loss prevention for the Florida region in 1993 where his responsibilities included loss prevention for all North American Marriott lodging brands and Marriott Vacation Club International brands in Florida. Pino was later appointed to general manager at the Courtyard Fort Lauderdale Plantation in 2000 and two years later served as general manager at the Fairfield Inn Miami Airport West/Doral Area.

Marriott
Miami, Florida, United States
Appointment

Peter Kacheris has been appointed as Managing Director at The Waldorf=Astoria Orlando and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

A 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Kacheris joins the Hilton family having most recently served as complex general manger of the 2,265-room Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida. In his new position, Kacheris will be responsible for the final phase of construction as well as the opening and daily operations of the 497-room Waldorf=Astoria Orlando (the first new-build Waldorf=Astoria outside of NYC) and the 1,000-room Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. Surrounded on three sides by Walt Disney World® Resort, the Bonnet Creek development is scheduled to open October 1, 2009. Kacheris began his career in 1978 with Marriott Hotels & Resorts. Based in Illinois, he held positions in operations, sales and marketing at various properties before being promoted to cluster general manager for the JW Marriott Lenox in Atlanta. In 2006, he was tapped as hotel manager for the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando and soon named general manager of the JW Marriott Grand Lakes Hotel in Orlando.

Hilton
Orlando, Florida, United States