a&o APPOINTS CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER
Julien Mattei has been appointed as the new chief investment officer of the European hostel chain a&o Hostels. Previously serving as investment director at The Social Hub (formerly The Student Hotel) and in investment management at Norges Bank Investment Management (which manages Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, the Government Pension Fund Global), Mattei brings 15 years of experience in real estate investment and development across Europe.
“Julien Mattei is our top choice and the perfect fit for a&o,” said a&o Hostels CEO Oliver Winter. “He is a strategic expert with a keen eye for detail and brings an extensive network that will be immensely beneficial for our European expansion”, he added.
CHAD GOODNOUGH JOINS STONEBRIDGE
Stonebridge Companies has announced the appointment of Chad Goodnough as senior vice president of sales strategy & innovation. In this role, Goodnough will develop and execute sales strategies that drive revenue growth, market share and RevPAR for Stonebridge’s portfolio.
With over 25 years of experience in sales leadership, he brings a wealth of knowledge in sales strategy, marketing and operational efficiency to his new role. Goodnough joins Stonebridge from HRI Hospitality, where he served as senior vice president of sales and marketing. He has also held senior leadership roles at Remington Hospitality, Aimbridge Hospitality and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.
“I’m thrilled to join Stonebridge Companies and contribute to the company’s continued success,” he said. “I look forward to leveraging my experience to implement innovative sales and marketing strategies to deliver measurable results and elevate the company’s portfolio performance.”
1 HOTEL COPENHAGEN’S NEW APPOINTMENTS
Starwood Hotels, the hotel brand management company that operates 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels and Treehouse Hotels, has announced the appointment of Isabella Gunnarsson as commercial director and Asbjørn Rytter as director of sales of the 1 Hotel Copenhagen, set to open in Summer 2025.
As commercial director, Gunnarsson will lead all commercial operations, including sales, revenue management and business development for the hotel. She spent over a decade with Skt. Petri Hotel, overseeing its transformation into 1 Hotel Copenhagen, and most recently serving as director of revenue.
With over seven years of experience in the hotel industry, Rytter previously served as a key account manager international MICE at Scandic Hotels and will now report to Gunnarsson.
This move comes on the heels of Starwood’s recent rebranding and the new 1 properties that will open through 2025.
MORE MOVES
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows has appointed Brandon Herkes as the property’s new food & beverage director. Herkes brings over 15 years of hospitality industry experience to his new role, and some of his previous roles include working at Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans and heading the food & beverage operations at Amangani, a two-MICHELIN Key ski resort by Aman.
The Ritz-Carlton, Denver has appointed Alexia Zambrano as its new marketing manager. Her career in the hospitality industry began in 2017 with Marriott International at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, where served as vacation planner and subsequently as a marketing coordinator. In 2019, she joined Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center and then stepped into the group marketing manager role on the Gaylord Hotels brand marketing and creative team.
Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection has appointed Andrea Gates as its new general manager. Gates’ journey in hospitality began with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, being the hotel manager at The Carlyle in New York and managing director of the Rosewood Inn of Anasazi in Santa Fe from 2008 to 2013. Most recently, Gates served as managing director of the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas for 11 years.
Grand Hyatt San Antonio has appointed Ryan Fender as general manager. Fender’s journey with Hyatt includes serving as general manager of the , the Hotel 50 Bowery – JDV by Hyatt and corporate director of rooms for the Hyatt Centric, Park Hyatt, Andaz, Unbound Collection and Miraval brands across the Americas region.
