Relay Robotics, Inc., a leading supplier of service robots to the hospitality, healthcare, and real estate industries, announced today the addition of Matt Townsend as Vice President, Software Engineering.
Barrar joined Sandpiper Hospitality from InterVision Systems, where he served as the Vice President of Customer Experience. Barrar previously spent more than 17 years with Capital One, helping the company grow to become the 6th largest bank in the United States. He received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Stephen F. Austin State University and serves on the Advisory Board for that department today. Barrar is charged with significantly enhancing the company's information technology platform while spear-heading several major projects that will greatly improve the services we offer to associates, guests and clients. He will head the integration of the industry's best business intelligence platform, ProfitSword, into the company this year.
Shane Husband joins Groups360 as senior vice president of technology, leading the company's technology and operations forward at its corporate headquarters. The hire follows Groups360's launch of real-time group rates and GroupSync™ Instant Booking across nearly 8,000 hotels, including Hilton Hotels, Omni Hotels and Resorts, Marriott International, and selected IHG Hotel properties.
Holiday Inn Club Vacations Incorporated, a leading national vacation ownership company, today announced that JP Hurtado has joined the company as its Chief Information Officer. In this newly created role, JP will lead the company's various Information Technology (IT) teams. He will be responsible for leading, steering and accelerating the company's technology strategy and digital transformation.
John Laplante, Extended Stay America's new Chief Information Officer, also joins the company from G6 Hospitality, where he served as CIO and in other IT leadership roles for more than 10 years. John's experience includes nine years in Hospitality IT at Accor North America. He will be responsible for all technology-related functions.
Brian Yocam serves as the director of technology and security for WaterWalk. As a veteran in the industry, he brings more than 12 years of experience with various networking and IT security-focused programs and tools. Preceding his appointment at WaterWalk, Yocam served as the network manager at INTRUST Bank where he provided oversight and technical expertise to develop and implement cybersecurity programs and initiatives. Throughout his career, he has gained valuable experience and knowledge with various security tools, maintenance procedures and the safety of networks. Yocam graduated from Fort Hays State University with a bachelor's degree in information networking and telecommunications and then earned a master's degree in cyber security.
Reddy was named Chief Information Officer (CIO) and will be leading the implementation and management of the company's information and computer technology systems to ensure they continually align with the needs of the company and of its hotel clients. Prior to joining Visual Matrix, Reddy spent almost 10 years at Exeter Finance. The last six years she was Vice President of Enterprise PMO & QA for the subprime auto lender.
With an overall experience of 18 years, Shanu's work experience includes assignments with Marriott, Wyndham and IHG Hotels & Resorts across the Middle East. Prior to joining The Leela, he was Group Director of IT, Hospitality at Al Mulla Group based in Dubai.He is a result-oriented technology leader with extensive cross-cultural expertise in the Hospitality IT sector. Well versed with interconnected information management disciplines, he has delivered value-based programs with a strong commitment to achieve organizational goals.
By appointing Rick Medford as vice president of change management and technology, MEININGER Hotels intends to accelerate its use of digital for management on the one hand and customer satisfaction on the other.
Industry veteran Joel Pyser joins Thynk.Cloud as Chief Executive Officer, Americas. Most recently the Senior Vice President of Sales with Amadeus Hospitality, Pyser brings a deep understanding of the hospitality technology landscape. Prior to Amadeus Hospitality, Pyser served as SVP of Sales with Newmarket International, Chief Operating Officer with Passkey, and before transitioning to the technology side of the business, Vice President of Field Sales with Marriott International.
Ease Hospitality, the luxury management company leading workplaces and events into the future, has announced the appointment of Scott Gantkin as its new Director of Hospitality Technology. With almost two decades of experience, Scott brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience that spans over a wide variety of industries. A recognized expert in audiovisual technology, specializing in the hospitality and event industry, Scott brings a diverse background that complements the Ease Hospitality team and mission. Bringing nearly 20 years of experience, Scott's experience aids in transforming traditional expectations of customer service in conferencing and amenity management into luxury lifestyle, full-service audiovisual experiences. Scott's unique experience brings depth to the role. Working hands-on through his career, he joins Ease Hospitality having led the technological strategy for permanent integration projects and upwards of 150 events annually. Scott was recently listed as one of the top 40 AV professionals under the age of 40 in North America.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) today announced the appointment of Eben Hewitt as Hyatt's Chief Information Officer, effective July 18. Hewitt will oversee Technology, Enterprise Applications and Cybersecurity for Hyatt. He will report to Mark Vondrasek, Hyatt's Chief Commercial Officer.
Raghu has spent over 25 years in the technology sector as a key executive with a variety of global companies.
Augustin Cacot joins YOTEL as Vice President of Demand leading digital performance, commercial innovation, analytics, and CRM globally. Cacot joins from Duetto where he was VP of customer success for EMEA elevating revenue strategy and driving change management for customers. Prior to Duetto, he was Regional Director of Revenue for the UK city center assets of Starwood Capital managed by Principal Hayley, Four Pillars and De Vere Venues and held roles at Concorde Hotels and The Set Hotels in revenue management positions.
Selina, the fast-growing lifestyle and experiential hospitality brand targeting Millennial and Gen Z travelers, is pleased to announce that Lena Katz has joined its executive team as Chief Technology Officer. In this role, Katz reports to Selina's co-founder and CEO, Rafael Museri, and is responsible for overseeing Selina's technology roadmap and innovation initiatives including product development.
Pietropaolo joins Optii Solutions from Neocova, where he was brought on as CTO to lead technology and product strategy to grow the business, and also to drive its market strategy from a product perspective. In his role, he helped to build a unified AI-driven analytics platform for financial institutions.
Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Sir Richard Branson, is pleased to welcome Jason Doebrich as Vice President of Technology. Doebrich, who is based in Miami, will be responsible for the brand's continued growth and innovation in the technology space. Jason brings more than 20 years of leadership excellence in information technology services, including executive management, compliance, system architecture and project management.
M3, the hospitality sector's #1 cloud-based accounting, financial reporting, and data management platform, announced that Michael Mitchell has joined their team as the VP of IT and Security. Michael comes to M3 with over 20 years in information technology, holding roles such as CIO, CSO, and VP of Engineering. He has experience with software development, data management, infrastructure management, integrations, project management, and extensive leadership.
Taywin spent over 15 years in IT, having developed enterprise digital technology and data strategy across hospitality, food, and lifestyle businesses. Prior to joining Rosewood, Taywin held the role of Vice President of IT Digital for Minor International, where he led the design and re-platforming of the company's e-commerce web and mobile application platform. Taking his unique experience to Rosewood, he will design and implement scalable technology solutions that will deliver the very best customer service and optimize business processes further to build the most effective data-driven organization.
Maestro is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Kelly as a Senior Solutions Consultant. A Maestro veteran for 23 years, Kelly has been an active part of the Maestro service and management teams since 1996, previously serving as Senior Product Strategist. With extensive experience as a senior sales engineer, Kelly had been a key contributor to the development of Maestro during his tenure. Following a brief two-year post with another PMS vendor, Kelly returns to Maestro to help drive business development, collaborate on new products, reconnect with customers and prospects alike, and re-emerge as one of the company's trusted advisors.