ANNY ZHANG TO LEAD JLL’S CHINA BUSINESS
JLL has named Anny Zhang as CEO, China, effective September. Based in Shanghai, Zhang will helm JLL’s business in mainland China and play a key role in driving growth and ensuring operational excellence across business lines and services, nurturing client relationships and strengthening JLL’s position in the market.
Since joining JLL as a manager in 2007, Zhang has progressed to senior positions. She became managing director, East China in 2021 and was promoted to head JLL’s China Leasing business in 2023.
“I am delighted that Anny is taking on this important leadership role for our business in China. She has built a fantastic career at JLL, taking on increasing levels of responsibility over her 17 years with the firm,” said Anthony Couse, CEO Asia Pacific, JLL. “Anny has extensive experience in China’s real estate market and has worked on many high-profile mandates, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to deliver projects for global and domestic real estate investors and occupiers.”
Alex Barnes, the current managing director, Hong Kong and Macao, will take on additional responsibility for JLL Taiwan.
ROGER BAKER’S NEW ROLE AT FIRST HOSPITALITY
First Hospitality has announced the transition of Roger Baker from CFO to his new role as chief investment officer and advisor. With 40 years of experience in the rea estate industry, including 16 years as a leader on First Hospitality’s executive team, Baker will advise on selected capital formation transactions and certain management and investor relations initiatives.
Matt Schuster stepped into the position of CFO in April. He will lead the company’s financial services functions and play an integral role in further developing long-term strategy and execution. Before joining First Hospitality, Schuster spent more than five years in leadership roles at Club Quarters Hotels.
PAUL SACCO JOINS PM HOTEL GROUP
PM Hotel Group has appointed Paul Sacco as chief growth and development officer. With more than three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, his background in managing large-scale developments and enhancing brand value aligns with PM Hotel Group’s goals to deepen its presence in the luxury market and enhance asset value through innovative management strategies.
Sacco joins from Mint House, where he served as chief growth and development officer. Prior to that, he served as managing director and chief investment officer at Driftwood Capital.
HILTON’S PHIL CORDELL TO RETIRE
Phil Cordell, global category head lifestyle and new brands at Hilton, will be retiring after 40 years with the lodging company. Cordell will be transitioning into an advisor role, effective July. Cordell began his career at Hilton as a bellman while he was still in high school and rose through the ranks to become the general manager of the second Hampton Hotel in 1983. He went on to helm Hilton’s All Suites and Focused Service brands for more than 20 years.
Alongside his contribution in establishing Hampton, Cordell has assisted in the success of many several Hilton brands, including Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites and Homewood Suites. In his latest role, he spearheaded the creation and launch of the Home2 Suites, Tru, Motto, Tempo and Spark brands.
Cordell will be succeeded by Kevin Osterhaus, who joined Hilton as president, global lifestyle brands to oversee the growth, design and development of the Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, Graduate by Hilton, Motto by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton and Tempo by Hilton brands.
MORE MOVES
McNeil Hotel Company has welcomed Marci Jacobs as vice president of sales and revenue generation. Jacobs will be responsible for building an integrated approach to sales, digital marketing and revenue generation to enhance collaboration and develop synergies among these functions at the corporate and property levels. She will also be involved in organization-wide training activities and career development of McNeill personnel.
With more than 25 years of hotel experience in direct selling, marketing and revenue management, her most recent role was regional director of sales with Peachtree Group Hospitality Management. Prior to that, she was regional revenue manager and regional director of sales and marketing with Aimbridge Hospitality.
McKibbon Hospitality has promoted Stacy Royalty to regional vice president of operations. She will support a portfolio of hotels with operational strategy, budget planning, leadership development and recruitment of general managers, sales initiatives and guest satisfaction.
With nearly two decades of experience in hospitality, Royalty joined McKibbin Hospitality in 2021 as the dual manager of Hampton Inn & Home2 Suites Tampa Downtown Channel District. She has held on-property leadership positions at Hilton brand flags including Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites and Home2 Suites and held several opening general manager positions, including Hampton Inn & Home2 Suites Tampa Downtown Channel District and Home2 Suites Sarasota Bradenton.
Garfield Public/Private LLC, a national public/private commercial real estate developer, has named Walter Peseski as senior vice president, asset management. He will spearhead Garfield Asset Management, where he will work along with respective ownership and management teams to oversee the performance of each asset in the portfolio. He will also play a crucial role in expanding the Garfield Asset Management Division.
Peseski has over 15 years of experience in the hospitality and asset management sectors. In his most recent position, he served as vice president of business development at First Hospitality. Prior to that, he worked at Aimbridge Hospitality and Quorum Hotel Advisors.
The St. Regis Chicago has welcomed Erik Grazetti as director of sales and marketing. He will helm all sales and marketing efforts for the hotel and lead a team of sales, catering and marketing professionals.
Grazetti brings around 30 years of experience into his new role, including more than 15 years of selling and marketing full-service hotels and 20 years of team leading.
Hotel Equities has announced promotions in its business development and talent development teams. The promotions include:
- Jack Meakin promoted to vice president of business development. He will lead the company’s business development strategy on midwest/east coast markets, focusing on furthering market reach and cultivating partnerships. He will be responsible for identifying new growth opportunities, enhancing owner relations and delivering recommendations to enhance speed to market.
- Alexis Stevens promoted to director of talent development. After joining Hotel Equities in 2013 as a front desk associate, she moved up and held several positions, including general manager and talent development manager. In her new role, Stevens serves as a department head with global responsibility.
- Brody Aarhaus promoted to regional director of business development for the southeast U.S. region. A graduate of Hotel Equities’ MIT program, Aarhaus will work directly with Jack Meakin to identify new business opportunities, foster partnerships and grow the company’s presence in the Southeast.
Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C. has announced the following new appointments to its sales and marketing and F&B teams:
- Tiffany Rioux, director of sales and marketing. Rioux is is responsible for inside and outside sales,corporate marketing, branding and advertising; along with developing profitable partnerships, managing strategic business relationships and expanding revenue and market share of the property.
- Nisha Patel, director of marketing. She oversees marketing and execution strategies and is responsible for the development, management, execution and measurement of all aspects of the marketing and branding strategies.
- Valentin Mihail, director of food and beverage. He is in charge of all operations for Peacock Alley, the Tasting Room, banquets, culinary department and stewarding.
- Grant Carnes, executive chef. Carnes will oversee the culinary and stewarding departments, spearheading seasonal menu development and leading catering for the property’s social, weddings and group events.
NEW GMs
Robert ‘Bob’ Spoto has been named vice president/general manager by Remington Hospitality for Pier House Resort & Spa and La Concha Key West. He will be leading the revitalization of La Concha and overseeing the operations of both the Key West hotels.
With more than 20 years of senior hospitality leadership, Spoto has most recently served as COO for Widewaters Hotels. His career comes full circle as he oversaw La Concha Key West in the early 2000s.
Fairmont Grand Del Mar has appointed Nenad Praporski as general manager. With a career of over two decades, Praporski returns to Fairmont Grand Del Mar and will be in charge of operations and lead several department teams.
In his most recent position, Praporski served as general manager at Fairmont Austin and prior to that, served as the executive director of rooms at Fairmont Grand Del Mar from 2010 to 2015.
The Ritz-Carlton Turks and Caicos has named Louella Brezovar-van Veen as general manager of the luxury hotel. Bringing in more than 30 years of hospitality experience, Brezovar-van Veen will oversee the operations for the 147-key resort.
In the past seven years, Brezovar-van Veen has served as the hotel manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba, where she has led renovations at the hotel.
Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens has appointed Jann Kaiser as general manager. He brings in more than 20 years of experience of working across five countries and seven Four Seasons properties, including at London, Chicago, Istanbul and Beirut.
Jann joined the Four Seasons Astir Palace Athens in 2021 as hotel manager and revised the way the hotel empowers its staff to embody the traditional hospitality at the heart of Greek culture and inspire a diverse and inclusive culture.
Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa has welcomed Paul Feakes as its new resort manager. Feakes’ career spans 20 years and he began his journey with the brand with the Omni Interlocken Resort and Spa in Broomfield, Colo., where he began as the food and beverage outlets manager and moved up to director of restaurants.
Feakes then became director of food and beverage at the Omni Mandalay Hotel, moving to the Omni Severin Hotel and eventually served as director of food and beverage at the Omni Las Colinas Hotel. After two years, Paul shifted to the Omni Dallas Convention Center Hotel, where he served as director of food and beverage.
