Human Resources

🎓 Chris Cheney promoted to Senior Vice President of Commercial Services at Stonebridge Companies, LLC in Denver, Colorado. Cheney joined the company in 2007, served as a general manager, and became director of revenue management in 2011. Under his leadership, 77% of Stonebridge hotels achieved or exceeded 100% market share penetration, with an average market share of 109%. His industry roles include HSMAI boards and the Denver Tourism Improvement District Board, with an education in international business and music from Friends University.

📅 Accor appointed Benoît Racle as global brand president-premium and Jean-Yves Minet as global brand president-midscale and economy. Atlantis Resorts named Paul Baker as the president of Atlantis, The Palm, and Atlantis The Royal. SH Hotels & Resorts appointed Jonathan Heath as executive VP of F&B and hotel operations. Rosewood Hotels & Resorts announced Juan Carlos Cardona Aquino as managing director of Rosewood Mandarina, opening in early 2025. The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel welcomed Claire Johnsen as director of sales and marketing. Zeal Hotels appointed John Wagner as a non-executive director, ahead of voco Zeal Exeter Science Park's opening in January 2025. Penta Hotels promoted Riccardo Calà to director of marketing. The InterContinental Mark Hopkins promoted Jennifer Dunn to hotel manager. Rosewood London hired Fernando Corona Burch as executive chef. YOTEL Washington DC appointed Robert Weland as executive chef. JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa named Damien Hirsch as general manager. Terry Buchholz became GM of The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills. Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection in Costa Rica, appointed Koen Masschelein as GM, and Keswick Hall welcomed Louis Shapazian as GM.

🍴 Alexandre Laforce Reynolds, former head chef at Eline in Shoreditch, joins Bistro Freddie in October 2023. Reynolds, aged 31, has over a decade of experience in London's fine dining, including Hide, Fenchurch, and Seven Park Place, and opened Eline in summer 2022, which closed in May. Bistro Freddie, part of HAM Restaurants, launched in October 2023 on Luke Street, Shoreditch. Reynolds introduces new dishes like Loch Duart salmon, beef tartare, and a French île flottante dessert.

🍴 Fernando Corona Burch appointed to oversee food and drink at Rosewood London's Holborn Dining Room, Mirror Room, Scarfes Bar, in-room dining, and banqueting. With over 20 years' experience in the hospitality industry, his background includes Michelin-starred restaurants and leadership roles within Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, such as executive chef at Rosewood Hong Kong and Beijing, director of culinary operations at Rosewood Phnom Penh and Beijing. Recently, executive chef at the pre-opening of Park Hyatt Los Cabos, Mexico. Rosewood London's Managing Director, Tessa Gorman, praises his expertise and vision for their culinary team.

🍽 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, reports on food and beverage trends and has been with NRN since 1999. He hosted a podcast, wrote for The New York Sun from 2005-2008, lived in Thailand writing about business and food for Manager magazine and Asia Times (1992-1997), and worked for ABC News during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Thorn, a magna cum laude Tufts University graduate and Phi Beta Kappa member, also studied French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu Paris. He joined the Restaurant Hospitality staff in 2016, won a 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award, was an IFEC president in 2005, and authored entries in food encyclopedias. Inducted into Disciples d'Escoffier in 2014, Thorn resides in Brooklyn, NY.

🏠 Jeff Toscano appointed CEO of Aspen Hospitality. John A. Rubino named CEO of Extreme Hospitality, overseeing a $6.8 billion portfolio with 300+ hotels. Karoline Hoff becomes managing director at Up Norway, with founder Torunn Tronsvang as chief experience officer. Cendyn appoints Jeffrey A. Cross as CFO. Steve Mackenzie promoted to EVP of hotel operations at Peachtree Group. The Diplomat Beach Resort's new leadership team has 100 years of combined experience. Lee Rekas joins as area director of sales and marketing for Pier House Resort & Spa and La Concha Key West. Beth Ardron becomes sales and marketing director at voco Zeal Exeter Science Park. Gregg Fracassa and Stefan Peroutka take on general manager roles at Viewline Resort Snowmass and Bahia Resort, respectively.

🏨 On September 1, National Hotel Employee Day celebrates nearly two million U.S. hotel industry workers. Established in 2022 by AHLA and the National Day Calendar, the day recognizes hotel staff's contributions to tourism and community events. Hotel workers can choose from over 200 career paths with a projected total compensation of $123 billion in 2024. AHLA, AAHOA, NABHOOD, and the Latino Hotel Association, among others, honor these employees' commitment to guest service and industry success.

📈 Linda Vallner appointed VP for EMEA at Cloudbeds, previously COO at dailypoint. Matt Greene returns to Hard Rock Hotel San Diego as Managing Director, served as GM 2008-2011. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort names Richard Elliott as GM, former GM of Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach and Park Hyatt St. Kitts. Nicholas Kuhns becomes GM of Royal Lahaina Resort & Bungalows, overseeing operations. Dan Fitzgerald assigned as Complex Commercial Director for Conrad Punta de Mita and Hilton Los Cabos. Jose Tibbitts promoted to Executive Chef at InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco. Jake Leslie appointed Director of Food and Beverage at The Chancery Rosewood, formerly at Caesars Palace. Chileno Bay Resort announces Orli del Angel as Executive Chef, Yvan Mucharraz as Culinary Experiences Director, and Santiago Canseco as Director of Food and Beverage.

📞 Chris Tebben appointed President and CEO of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc., effective September 4. Frances Allen steps down to focus on board work. Tebben's experience includes roles at Mars, Starbucks, P.F. Chang's, and Pizza Hut. Previously, he led Mars Retail Group since 2022 and expanded Starbucks Reserve, including Chicago's largest Starbucks. His career spans strategic planning, operations, and marketing in the restaurant and consumer goods sectors. David Barr, board member, praises Tebben's track record in sales, traffic, and unit growth.

🍕 Chris Tebben appointed as President and CEO of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, effective September 4, succeeding Frances Allen who stepped down in April. Tebben has worked with Mars, Starbucks, P.F. Chang's, and Pizza Hut, boasting extensive experience in strategic planning, operations, and franchise management. He led the M&M's retail arm since 2022 and previously spearheaded Starbucks Reserve's expansion, including the world's largest Starbucks in Chicago. David Barr, Checkers & Rally's Independent Board Member, expressed confidence in Tebben's ability to elevate the brands.