Human Resources

💻 **Ethan Brown** appointed as Head of Sales for the U.S. at **Shiji** on **June 04, 2026**, in **Atlanta, GA**. Tasked with expanding Shiji's U.S. presence, Ethan will focus on unifying hotel tech systems to enhance guest experiences. The Shiji Platform supports over **91,000 hotels** globally, offering cloud-based solutions for property management, POS, guest engagement, and more. Shiji employs **5,000+ people** worldwide.

📍 Sherry Abedi is appointed as the new general manager of The LINE DC, located in the Adams Morgan neighborhood, Washington, D.C. Abedi brings over a decade of experience, having previously managed Viceroy Washington DC, Hotel Zena, and opened Thompson Washington, D.C. The LINE DC, with 220 rooms, is set in a 170-year-old church. Megan Foster, managing director, highlights Abedi's leadership and community engagement as key assets for the hotel.

📈 YOTEL has appointed Paul Harnedy as Chief Operating Officer to lead global hotel operations and commercial strategy. With over 30 years of experience, he previously held roles at Cedar Capital Partners and Amaris Hospitality. Michael Whitehead and Ryan Dance were promoted to Senior Vice President roles, focusing on HR and commercial strategy, respectively. CEO Phil Andreopoulos emphasized the importance of strong leadership for YOTEL's sustainable growth and expansion in new and existing markets.

🏨 Carton House, a luxury hotel in Kildare, Ireland, appointed Ivan King as general manager. King, with a history in luxury hotel management, previously worked as CEO and general manager at Luttrellstown Castle Resort. His career includes senior roles at The Shelbourne Dublin and Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel. Additionally, King is a board director of the Irish Hospitality Institute and chairs IHI RISE, fostering emerging hospitality leaders.

🏨 In Philadelphia, HHM Hotels promoted Shawn Tuli and Dani Elhachem to managing partners, expanding their roles as chief investment officer and chief operating officer, respectively. Tuli, with over 12 years of experience, drives growth strategy, while Elhachem, architect of the operating platform, focuses on operational excellence. Their priorities include revenue generation, lifestyle execution, and technology platforms. CEO Naveen Kakarla emphasizes shared stewardship and long-term accountability for the company's growth and owner value.

🏨 Thom Geshay, CEO & President of Davidson Hospitality Group, will chair the AHLA Board of Directors from July 1, 2026. Jon Stanner and Jolyon Bulley will serve as Vice Chair and Secretary/Treasurer. Geshay has four decades of industry experience. The leadership aims to address workforce challenges and increase travel demand. AHLA President Rosanna Maietta highlighted outgoing Chair Liam Brown's impact on franchise models and anti-trafficking initiatives, with Brown retiring after nearly 40 years at Marriott.

🌐 Ilana Edelman has been appointed VP of Development for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Atelier Ace. Based in London, she will lead the brand's growth and investments, reporting to CEO Chris Penn. Edelman, with 15 years in hospitality, including past roles at Google and Hyatt, aims to expand in Europe. Atelier Ace's parent, Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide, targets 250 hotels globally by 2035, focusing on locations like London to achieve this growth.