HVMG NAMES NEW CFO
Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) has named Gary Kunesh senior vice president and chief financial officer. In his new role, Kunesh will provide oversight of accounting, financial reporting, tax, risk management and technology functions for the organization at both the corporate and property levels.
“With more than three decades of hospitality experience, Gary has worked with some of the biggest names in hotel ownership and operations,” said Robert Cole, founder, president and CEO of HVMG. “His extensive experience in accounting & financial reporting, managing financial operations, implementing property-level cost-saving initiatives and developing talent within the finance areas will be extremely valuable.”
Most recently, Kunesh served as vice president of financial planning and analysis with White Lodging Services. Before that, he was director of finance at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort, a $150M operation, leading a team of 30 F&A associates.
NEW GMs
Hilton has announced the appointment of Randy Morton as general manager of Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas. Morton’s extensive career in hospitality includes serving as vice president of hotel operations, president and COO of the Bellagio Resort & Casino; president of OVG Las Vegas Hotel & Casino; and co-CEO of Foley Entertainment Group and the Vegas Golden Knights. He has also held general manager and resident manager roles at various Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts across the United States, Hawaii and Canada.
W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive has appointed Omar Rivera as general manager of the W Hotels brand’s first all-inclusive resort worldwide, scheduled to open this spring. Prior to joining W Punta Cana, Rivera served as managing director for Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection in Jamaica and spent six years as general manager for various Hyatt Ziva properties in Mexico and Jamaica.
The St. Regis Washington, D.C. has appointed Alaina Sweeney as general manager. In her previous role as director of operations, she played an integral role in the recent renovation and redesign of its guestrooms and suites in 2024.
MORE MOVES
InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel has announced the appointment of Savannah Seaman as its new director of marketing. Seaman has been part of the hotel’s sales team since 2019 and most recently served as associate director of sales and sales operations manager.
The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village has promoted Susan Cecere David to senior sales executive, who joined the property two years ago. Her hospitality spans leadership roles such as sales & catering coordinator, catering manager, director of catering, sales manager, director of sales & marketing and regional director of revenue generation, overseeing 42
hotels.
Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront has appointed Rocco LaFronza as director of operations. With nearly 20 years of experience in hospitality, LaFronza has held leadership positions at multiple hotels, including Hyatt Regency Chicago to Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach in several departments such as front desk, guest services, housekeeping and human resources.
Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, located 10 miles from San Diego International Airport and opening May 15, has introduced its leadership team.
- Scott Siebert, general manager: As general manager of Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, Siebert brings more than 35 years of hospitality experience to his role. Most recently, he served as hotel manager at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Tennessee, Prior to his time in Tennessee, Siebert also held roles including food and beverage director at Eden Roc Miami Beach Resort, resort manager at JW Marriott Hill Country San Antonio and various titles with JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa.
- Joy Lynch, director of group sales: Marriott veteran Joy Lynch was the senior market account executive leader for Marriott’s Western Mountain Pacific (WMP), before she moved to the Philippines to open the largest Marriott ballroom/convention center in Asia Pacific as director of convention sales. Lynch returned from Manila to join the Gaylord Rockies pre-opening team and to lead sales following the opening. Most recently, she was Gaylord Pacific’s director of group sales.
- Russ Mitchell, director of sales and marketing: Russ’ hospitality 30-year career includes serving at The Westin Gaslamp, The U.S. Grant and Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina.
