Tatiana Valenzuela

🏨 Pete Sams has been appointed as the new president of Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG). Sams previously worked at Highgate Hotels and held leadership roles at KSL and Davidson Hospitality Group, where he helped grow operations significantly. HVMG currently manages 60 hotels and resorts across 16 U.S. states, with nearly 12,000 guest rooms. The company is associated with brands like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt. Sams aims to enhance performance and foster growth at HVMG.

📑 José Silva, a hospitality veteran with over 40 years of experience, was appointed Chairman of Maybourne. Known for his leadership at Jumeirah Group and Four Seasons, Silva will guide Maybourne’s global growth strategy. CEO Marc Socker praised Silva's expertise. Maybourne, an ultra-luxury brand, operates iconic hotels like Claridge’s and The Maybourne Beverly Hills. Silva expressed excitement about advancing Maybourne’s legacy and global presence.

📍 Diego Padula has been appointed general manager at The Cape, a Thompson Hotel in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Padula, who started in April 2024 at Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa in Honduras, has 20 years of experience with brands like W Hotels and Le Meridien. The Cape features 159 rooms, an infinity pool, and a spa. Padula is excited about leading The Cape's future innovations and guest experience enhancements.

🏝️ TheLifeCo St. Lucia, a 100-key wellness destination in the Caribbean, appoints Olgay Kiraz as general manager. Kiraz, with a two-decade career in global hospitality, aims to enhance guest experiences through advanced medical technologies and therapies. TheLifeCo St. Lucia, located atop Mount Pimard, offers 15 wellness programs, including fasting and stem cell treatments, within A’ila Resorts’ 100,000-square-foot longevity village. Programs range from 4-day to 21-day resets, with amenities like pools, saunas, and hammams.

🏨 Shannon Schwier becomes General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe. Her Four Seasons journey began in 2013 at Beverly Hills. By 2021, she was opening hotel manager in Fort Lauderdale. Schwier managed international roles, including Dubai in 2015. Situated in the Sangre de Cristo foothills, this Santa Fe resort features an Adventure Center, spa, and restaurant Terra, embodying the area's rich culture and beauty.

🏠 Gencom, a U.S.-based investment firm, reorganized its structure into Gencom Capital and Gencom Real Estate, with founder Karim Alibhai at the helm. Key appointments include Alessandro Colantonio as Chief Investment Officer and Donald McGregor as President of Gencom Real Estate. Gencom, founded over 40 years ago, manages nearly $8 billion in assets, with 24 owned assets and over 6,000 hotel rooms globally, partnering with brands like The Ritz-Carlton and Hyatt.

📈 Highgate appoints Siim Karu as chief commercial officer to lead European commercial strategy, focusing on revenue management, sales, and marketing. With over 15 years of experience, Karu previously served as CCO at Generator and Freehand Hotels. Highgate manages over $15 billion in assets across the US, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean, covering diverse sectors. Karu aims to strengthen Highgate's European operations alongside existing teams to enhance performance and support regional expansion.

📋 JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa appoints Simone Farci as general manager. Farci, with 20+ years of international hospitality experience, including roles at IHG Hotels & Resorts, takes over after serving as GM at InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace. Opened in 2015, the resort boasts 266 rooms, four restaurants, a spa, and a rooftop lounge with pool views of Venice.

🏖 Barnsley Resort in North Georgia has appointed Mark Spadoni as managing director, leveraging his 30+ years of hospitality experience. Significant renovations were completed by the end of 2025 under South Street Partners, including redesigned cottage suites, a new restaurant, six pickleball courts, a Biergarten, a family pool with a lazy river, and an 18-hole putting course. Spadoni previously managed The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa in Virginia and several Westin hotels across the U.S.

🏖️ Thomas Mauman has been appointed as general manager of Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe, California. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Mauman has previously managed Montrose at Beverly Hills and held positions at Renaissance and InterContinental Hotels. The resort features 399 suites, five dining outlets, a heated indoor pool, a fitness center, and 14,000 square feet of event space. Managed by Davidson Resorts, it is located near Heavenly Village and Lake Tahoe.