Human Resources

🏨 FORTH Atlanta, part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, appointed Danielle Gilligan as general manager on April 17, 2026. Gilligan brings over 25 years of experience to her new role.

🏨 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.

🏨 PM Hotel Group has taken over management of the 234-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton Tysons Corner in Tysons, VA. The hotel is strategically located between downtown Washington, D.C., and Washington Dulles International Airport, accessible via the Silver Line Metro. Targeting corporate, group, and transient demands, the hotel offers two-room suites and meeting spaces. The management aims to enhance sales and revenue by leveraging its experience in urban and suburban markets, expanding its D.C. metro presence.

🏠 Cain International has appointed Ina Plunien as Senior VP of Hospitality to expand its EMEA presence. Plunien, from Cedar Capital Partners, brings 10 years of experience managing over $3 billion in hotel assets. Cain manages a $10 billion portfolio, including investments in Aman Resorts and Delano Hotels, and partners with brands like Soho House and Rosewood. Arvi Luoma emphasizes the firm's focus on luxury and experiential hospitality growth in EMEA.

🏨 First Hospitality will manage the new Historian Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin, set to open in early 2027. Located at the 111-year-old Churchill Building at 16 N. Carroll Street, it features 81 keys. The building, Madison's first skyscraper, is being revitalized by Angus Young and will join Marriott's Tribute Portfolio. Parts & Labor will restore original architectural features, while Milwaukee chef Dan Jacobs will lead the new ground-floor culinary concept.

📈 Mike Morey joined Peachtree Group as Executive Vice President of Capital Markets in April 2026, based in Atlanta, Georgia. Morey, with over 15 years at The Standard, will focus on expanding lender relationships and optimizing capital sourcing. He has held roles at Intervest Mortgage Investment Co., and Portland State University. Peachtree CEO Greg Friedman emphasized Morey's role in enhancing partnerships with insurance companies to offer better lending options.

🏨 AAHOA announced its new 2026-27 Board of Directors during its convention in Philadelphia, appointing Dhiren Masters as Secretary. AAHOA represents over 20,000 members. Masters brings nine years of leadership, including roles in North Texas and various committees. Rahul Patel chairs the board. Newly elected regional directors include Animesh Patel (Arkansas) and Meghna Patel (South Florida). Three industry partners join: Fahem Khan (JPMorgan Chase), Nil Kumar (Anand Systems), and Kevin Sloan (Gauthier, Murphy & Houghtaling).

🏨 Italy: In 2026, Starhotels promoted Alexandro Della Croce to Chief Commercial Officer. He will manage sales, revenue, distribution, and events for Starhotels' 34 properties. Della Croce joined Starhotels in 2019, having previously held leadership roles at Starwood and IHG. He will collaborate with sales directors Diego Rumazza and Davide Ballardini. Della Croce expressed gratitude to President Elisabetta Fabri and co-CEOs for their support and looks forward to driving Starhotels’ growth.