Human Resources

🍴 Bret Thorn is a food & beverage editor at Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999, residing in Brooklyn, NY. He previously wrote for The New York Sun (2005-2008), Asia Times (1995-1997), and Manager magazine (1992-1997). Thorn studied at Tufts University, earning a BA in history in 1990, and at Le Cordon Bleu in 1986. He served as IFEC President in 2005 and was inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014.

🏨 Raines acquired and now manages Home2 Suites by Hilton Charlotte University Research Park in Charlotte, North Carolina, along I-85 and 485. The 105-key hotel offers fully equipped suites, a pet-friendly environment, an indoor pool, fitness center, meeting rooms, and complimentary amenities. Located near UNC Charlotte and Atrium Health University City, it's close to major employers like IBM, AT&T, and Wells Fargo. In 2024, Raines expanded with over 20 properties, continuing growth into 2025.

🏨 Jonathan Brown appointed as general manager of Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club in East Sussex by Elite Hotels. Elite Hotels includes Ashdown Park, Tylney Hall in Hampshire, and The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne. Brown began his career in 1996 and held his first managerial role in 2001. Previously, he worked at The Athenaeum, The Grove, Kinsale Hotel, The Lanesborough, Luton Hoo, and the Royal Automobile Club. Ashdown Park Hotel offers 106 rooms, an 18-hole golf course, and various amenities.

✈️ Ashley Raiteri appointed interim Chief Technology Officer at Retailaer, an airline retailing and distribution platform. Raiteri, with experience developing flight search engines and launching over eight startups, will lead Retailaer's technology vision and growth. He has collaborated with airlines like United, Swiss, and Virgin. The role involves building a scalable platform, enhancing user experience, optimizing data-driven decisions, and ensuring system security, in line with Retailaer's mission to revolutionize customer-airline engagement.

🏨 Lighthouse has appointed Mercedes Blanco as vice president of enterprise growth following its acquisition of The Hotels Network (THN). With nearly 20 years in Travel & Hospitality, Blanco aims to integrate Lighthouse's commercial intelligence with THN's AI marketing technology. Previously THN's chief partnerships officer, she played a key role in forming strategic industry relationships. Dave Collier, Lighthouse's CRO, highlights her strategic vision and partnership-building skills as pivotal for the platform's industry impact.

🏨 Avion Hospitality, as of August 2025, manages the dual-branded Hyatt Place and Hyatt House Houston Medical District hotels on behalf of TMC Hotel, LTD. Located near the Texas Medical Center, these hotels offer 298 rooms and 5,700 sq. ft. of meeting space. This expansion increases Avion's Houston footprint to eight properties and its national portfolio to 31 hotels across 13 states, aligning with its growth strategy and operational excellence.

🍳 Castlemartyr Resort in Cork has appointed Lewis Barker as the executive chef of its two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Terre.

🗺️ Israeli-based Travelier appoints Kinneret Khamchi, ex-BlaBlaCar and Wix, as VP of Data to enhance data operations across their global platforms. Travelier, operating in 124 countries with over 19,000 transportation providers, aims to leverage AI tools for greater value. Khamchi, former head of data at BlaBlaCar, led a 30-analyst team. Her experience in travel-tech analytics is expected to bolster Travelier's data-driven strategies.