Tatiana Valenzuela

🏝️ 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.

🏝️ Cayo Levantado Resort in Samaná Bay, Dominican Republic, has appointed Maria Lamarche as general manager. With nearly 40 years in luxury hospitality, Lamarche has led operations for global brands like Hilton and InterContinental. Her recent role was at Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana's pre-opening. Lamarche aims to enhance guest experiences by celebrating the beauty and culture of the Dominican Republic.

🏨 Langham Hospitality Group appointed Nils-Arne Schroeder as chief operating officer. Schroeder will oversee operations for over 30 hotels, with 20+ properties in development, including Thailand and China this year, Italy and Malaysia in 2027, and Saudi Arabia in 2028. Schroeder brings 30 years of experience, having worked with Raffles, Fairmont, and Hilton. LHG’s CEO highlighted Schroeder’s ability to meet market needs while maintaining brand identity. Schroeder is excited about LHG’s growth opportunities.

📑 Matt Sommers is the new general manager at Le Méridien Washington, D.C., The Madison. With 20 years of experience, Sommers previously managed YOTEL Washington D.C., Westin D.C. City Center, and Capitol Hill Hotel. The hotel, managed by HEI Hotels & Resorts, features 356 guestrooms, including 27 suites. Located downtown, it offers views of the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial. Sommers aims to blend legacy with innovation, enhancing its status as a premier hospitality destination.