Tatiana Valenzuela - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

Danielle Gilligan Appointed General Manager of FORTH Atlanta, Brings 25 Years of Luxury Hotel Experience

🏨 FORTH Atlanta, part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, appointed Danielle Gilligan as general manager, leveraging her 25+ years of luxury hotel leadership. Previously, Gilligan led the 143-room Royal Park Hotel in Rochester, Michigan, overseeing a multi-million-dollar renovation. The 16-story FORTH Atlanta, located in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward, boasts 196 hotel rooms, 39 residential suites, and multiple amenities including a rooftop lounge, poolside restaurant, wellness center, and private social club.

1 min

Scott Berger Appointed General Manager of Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills by Hilton

🏨 Hilton names Scott Berger general manager of Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills. Berger, with over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience, recently managed the new Peninsula London. Previously, he oversaw EOS Hospitality's West Coast portfolio. Berger began his career at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, advancing to hotel manager over 15 years. In civic roles, he chaired the Beverly Hills CVB (2023-24) and was a board member of the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce (2020-24).

2 min

Charlestowne Hotels Appoints Tauseen Malik as Senior VP of Operations to Elevate U.S. Portfolio Strategy

📈 Charlestowne Hotels appoints Tauseen Malik as Senior VP of Operations. With over 20 years of global experience, Malik will optimize operations and evolve food and beverage strategies. Previously at HHM Hotels, he managed East Coast properties. CEO Kyle Hughey emphasizes Malik's role in supporting growth in complex markets. As Charlestowne expands into new markets, Malik aims to enhance guest experiences and performance through strategic leadership and market-specific strategies.

3 min

Starwood Hotels Promotes Three Executives to Key Leadership Positions Across Americas Operations and Properties

🏨 Starwood Hotels has promoted leaders: Shadi Omeish to SVP of operations, Americas, with oversight of 17 properties; Ashley Gochnauer to area managing director for 1 Hotel San Francisco, 1 Hotel Seattle, and Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley; Onal Kucuk to area general manager for 1 Hotel Nashville and 1 Hotel Austin, opening in late summer 2026. Omeish, Gochnauer, and Kucuk bring extensive hospitality experience, previously holding key roles in operations and hotel launches across various renowned brands.

Hyatt Appoints Vikas Chawla as President for India & Southwest Asia, Expanding Growth with Nearly 5,000 New Rooms

📈 Hyatt Hotels appointed Vikas Chawla as president for India & Southwest Asia, enhancing its growth in the region. Chawla, with 30 years of global experience, will focus on strategy and expansion. Hyatt's India pipeline includes nearly 5,000 rooms from 2025 deals. The first Destination by Hyatt in Asia Pacific, Hari Bagh Jaipur, will open in 2026, marking Hyatt's third Jaipur hotel. Current footprint: 55 hotels across nine brands. Future expansions target Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Hyderabad.

Patrick Fisher Appointed President of Hotel ZaZa to Lead Growth Following 2024 Acquisition by Rockbridge Holdings

📈 Patrick Fisher, in 2024, will lead Hotel ZaZa across Dallas, Houston, and Austin post-acquisition by Rockbridge Holdings. He will focus on hotel operations, brand strategy, and growth. Formerly, Fisher was COO at Ian Schrager Company, overseeing properties in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. His past roles include SVP at Fontainebleau Development and positions at The Ritz-Carlton and MGM Resorts. Fisher aims to enhance Hotel ZaZa's guest experience and unique brand identity.

Federico Greppi Becomes First Latin American President for Marriott's Caribbean and Latin America Region

📈 Federico Greppi has been appointed president of Marriott in the Caribbean and Latin America, succeeding Brian King. Greppi, previously COO for CALA, takes charge to drive growth and unlock new opportunities. South America, with over 100 properties, accounted for 40% of newly signed deals in 2025. Marriott’s CALA portfolio includes 550+ properties across 26 Marriott Bonvoy brands. Greppi aims to enhance guest experiences, expand brand presence, and advance sustainability goals.

2 min

Mariano Cannello Appointed General Manager of Hilton Buenos Aires, Bringing 25 Years of Hospitality Experience

📅 Mariano Cannello has been appointed general manager of Hilton Buenos Aires. With a 25-year career, he started at Hilton Buenos Aires and has worked across five countries and 13 hotels, including seven Hilton properties. Previously, he was regional director of sales & marketing for Hilton South America, supporting 22 hotels in five countries. His return marks a full-circle moment to his hometown and the hotel where his career began, aiming to elevate the guest experience and culinary offerings.

Hyatt Appoints Julienne Smith as Head of Americas Growth to Expand Brand Portfolio Across the Region

📈 Julienne Smith has been appointed by Hyatt as head of Americas growth to oversee brand expansion across North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. With over 20 years of experience, Smith previously served as chief development officer at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Her role will focus on expanding Hyatt’s Luxury, Lifestyle, Classics, and Essentials brands, leveraging strategic development and owner relationships to drive long-term growth. Smith previously worked at Hyatt for nearly 14 years.

1 min

Natasha Casillo Appointed General Manager of JW Marriott Nashville, Bringing Over 20 Years of Hospitality Experience

🏖 JW Marriott Nashville appoints Natasha Casillo as general manager, bringing over 20 years of global hospitality leadership. Casillo's career began at Boston Marriott Cambridge, later leading a $55 million expansion at Hotel Commonwealth Boston. She also managed VIP services at British Airways and held senior roles at InterContinental Boston. In 2017, she led Courtyard by Marriott Boston Downtown/North Station's opening. JW Marriott Nashville, near Music City Center, welcomes her proven leadership.

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