THE RITZ CARLTON NEW YORK, NOMAD’S NEW APPOINTMENT
The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad has appointed Rosy Merlino as director of sales and marketing. With over 20 years of global experience in the industry, Merlino’s experience includes working with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, The Dominick, Morgans Hotel Group and GrandLife Hotels, among other brands.
“It is with great excitement that we welcome Rosy to our team,” said Bastian Germer, general manager at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad. “Her extensive expertise and innovative vision will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our presence in Manhattan’s luxury market and deliver unparalleled guest experiences.”
THOMPSON MIAMI BEACH’S NEW ADDITIONS
The upcoming Thompson Miami Beach has appointed Karan Kakar as general manager and Iris Acosta-Zobel as director of sales and marketing.
Kakar brings over 20 years of experience to his new role. Most recently, he served as general manager for Nautilus by Arlo in Miami Beach, where he oversaw its transition from Sixty Hotels to Arlo Hotels launch in Miami. Kakar has also led as a general manager at Hyatt’s Luxury Alila Marea & Thompson Dallas as well as Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club an Autograph Collection by Marriott and Mondrian South Beach.
From W Hotels to the Nobu Eden Roc Miami Beach, Mondrian and others, Iris Acosta-Zobel has spent more than 25 years in the sales and marketing area for luxury hotels. As the founder of IAZ Hospitality Advisors, she provided consulting services for independent hotels and destinations. Before that, she served as vice president of sales for the Cipriani family portfolio of luxury boutique properties Mr. C Hotels and Casa Cipriani, where she led commercial operations.
MORE MOVES
Island Hospitality Management has named Mark George as senior vice president of commercial strategy to expand the company’s commercial initiatives. Since joining Island Hospitality in 2005 as a director of sales, George transitioned through several general manager roles before being promoted to vice president of sales in 2014 and then to senior vice president of sales in 2021.
Hilton has announced the appointment of Kathy Heneghan as general manager of the 800-room Signia by Hilton Indianapolis. Located in downtown Indianapolis, the hotel is expected to open in late 2026.
A hospitality industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience with Hilton properties in Chicago, Heneghan most recently served as general manager at Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile. Before that role, she held the position of hotel manager at the Hilton Chicago. Throughout her career, she’s held various leadership roles across catering and events and food and beverage at both Hilton Chicago and Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel.
IHG Hotels & Resorts has appointed Yann Gillet as area general manager for Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa and Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman. Gillet joins IHG Hotels & Resorts from One&Only Aesthesis on the Athens Riviera. Some of his previous experience also includes leadership roles at Hotel Martinez in Cannes, Grand Hyatt São Paulo, Park Hyatt Chennai, Park Hyatt Johannesburg and Hyatt Regency Casablanca.
Lucia Aguilar rejoins Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs as general manager. Most recently, Aguilar served at Davidson Hospitality Group as regional director of operations, resorts division. She began her hospitality career at Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs and also held previous roles at Hotel Zoso Palm Springs and Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs.
Concord Hospitality has announced the promotion of Dannialle Neville to regional vice president of operations. Neville joined Concord in 2011 and her portfolio spans many brands, including Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Hyatt and independent boutique full-service resorts, all of which she will continue to assist and oversee in her new role.
Montage Healdsburg has appointed Nikki Severson as director of the 11,500-square-foot Spa Montage. Severson brings over 25 years of experience in luxury wellness and spa operations to her new role and joins Montage Healdsburg from Spa Terra at The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa, Calif., where she also served as director of spa and wellness. Previously, she served as spa manager at Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park, Calif.; corporate spa director at Kalahari Resort & Convention Center in Sandusky, Ohio; and spa director at Sundara Inn & Spa in Wisconsin Dells, Wisc.
