Human Resources

📈 McKeever Hotel Group expands its leadership with Catherine Ashman as head of marketing and sales, focusing on revenue growth and sales strategy, and Elaine Harkin, promoted to strategic revenue manager, since 2024. Covering seven hotel properties, Ashman brings international marketing experience, while Harkin, based in Belfast, Derry, and Troon, emphasizes revenue performance and profitability. Both will drive brand performance, aligning with long-term objectives and coaching junior management.

🏨 Starwood Hotels has promoted leaders: Shadi Omeish to SVP of operations, Americas, with oversight of 17 properties; Ashley Gochnauer to area managing director for 1 Hotel San Francisco, 1 Hotel Seattle, and Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley; Onal Kucuk to area general manager for 1 Hotel Nashville and 1 Hotel Austin, opening in late summer 2026. Omeish, Gochnauer, and Kucuk bring extensive hospitality experience, previously holding key roles in operations and hotel launches across various renowned brands.

📈 Kristie Goshow became Chief Commercial Officer at Loews Hotels & Co, overseeing revenue and brand strategy across 27 properties. Her career journey spanned roles with Virgin Atlantic, Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, and Preferred Hotels & Resorts, managing over 700 hotels in 80+ countries. Goshow identifies industry challenges such as rapid tech changes and geopolitical unrest as opportunities. She emphasizes maintaining a guest-focused perspective to drive innovation and meet evolving demands. Her leadership reflects a commitment to community and career growth.

🏨 Peachtree Group secured I-956F approval from USCIS for a 116-room Homewood Suites by Hilton in Sugar Mountain, North Carolina. The $28 million project was funded through Peachtree’s EB-5 investment platform, marking its sixth EB-5 financing and totaling over $177 million in capitalization. Located near Sugar Mountain Ski Resort and other attractions, the hotel aims to capture year-round demand. The project received approval in under four months, highlighting Peachtree's efficient approach to EB-5 financing.

🏨 On January 22, Driftwood Capital appointed Carlos Rodriguez Jr. as CEO, succeeding Carlos Rodriguez Sr., who became executive chairman. Since co-founding in 2015, the duo grew Driftwood to manage $3.5 billion in assets and 90 hotels. In 2025, they restructured for growth and launched a luxury division. Targeting international expansion, they aim for Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Caribbean, enhancing cost-effective renovations and leveraging financing capabilities. The company scaled from a $50 million to a $2.5 billion GP fund.

💻 Gilmar Barretella is appointed Managing Director of Seekda, Austria’s hotel distribution platform, effective immediately. Seekda, founded in 2007, operates from Vienna and serves over 4,000 hotels globally, with a 40% market share in Austria. Gilmar, with 20+ years in SaaS and tech leadership, aims to enhance execution and product growth. Seekda's tools include an AI Booking Engine and Stay, aiding hotel efficiency and revenue. The company partners with Expedia and Booking.com.

🏨 Rockliffe Hall appoints Lewis Hunter as new general manager in County Durham. The estate's multimillion-pound transformation is set to complete by summer 2026, featuring renovations of its Grade II-listed building and six new dining concepts. The development includes a 36-cover restaurant, a 50,000-square-foot spa, and a golf course. Ken Holland, with 20+ years in agriculture, becomes head grower to enhance onsite dining with seasonal produce, aiming for a sustainable food system.