Human Resources

🏨 RoomRaccoon appoints Chaim Blog as Head of Payments, enhancing its global strategy for independent hotels. Blog, with experience at MEWS, PayPal, Lendex, and Lycamobile, aims to expand payment options and evolve the commercial model. CEO Tymen van Dyl highlights the importance of innovative payment solutions for guest experience. RoomRaccoon Payments is delivering strong results, targeting streamlined operations and improved cash flow. Blog envisions it as the fintech destination for hospitality.

🏨 Michal Reschke, with 13+ years in hotel development, joins Marriott International to drive growth in the DACH region. Previously, she led development at H World International. Marriott plans expansion with 160+ hotels and 32,000 rooms across 20 brands in the DACH area. Key projects include eight Four Points Flex by Sheraton hotels, six Moxy Hotels, and four Autograph Collection properties. Focus is on midscale offerings and conversion projects.

📈 Davidson Hospitality promotes Nick Gregory and Paul Eckert as executive vice presidents. Gregory, formerly the SVP of strategic operations, will lead Pivot, Davidson's lifestyle division. He will focus on performance, asset value, portfolio growth, brand equity, and operational standards. Eckert, who joined Davidson in 2021, will handle operations and business intelligence, including data analysis and new revenue streams. CEO Thom Geshay praises their leadership and contributions to Davidson's excellence.

🏨 Stig Castoe manages the H4 Hotel Wyndham Paris Pleyel Resort in Saint-Denis, Paris, an area undergoing significant development. The hotel, previously an office building, was transformed with millions in investment and opened during the Olympic Games, hosting important guests like the Chinese delegation. It's one of the largest hotels in Paris with 700 rooms. The hotel prioritizes sustainability, community engagement, and modern technology, such as key card-activated elevators. It recently hosted over 1,100 guests on a Saturday.

📍 Elon Kenchington has been named general manager at The Mark Hotel in Manhattan, bringing over 30 years of hospitality experience. Previously, he held senior roles at The Curtain Hotel, The St. Regis New York, and others. The Mark Hotel boasts 106 rooms, 44 suites, 3 penthouses, 3 F&B venues, a Frédéric Fekkai salon, wellness services, and a seasonal sailboat.

🍴 Ron Ruggless, a senior editor since 1992 at Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News, has extensive experience in foodservice journalism. He was with the Dallas Times Herald from 1982 to 1991, including roles as restaurant critic and food editor. Ruggless moderates panels at various industry events, including MUFSO and RestaurantSpaces. He previously worked for the Charlotte Observer (1980-1982) and Omaha World-Herald (1978-1980). Connect with him on social media (@RonRuggless on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok).

📈 Katharina Dein, Jelena Kezika, and Andrea Krenn assume pivotal roles at Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) in 2023. Dein, with GHA since 2013, becomes VP of Commercial, while Kezika, also since 2013, is VP of Strategy. Krenn, part of GHA from 2021, is now Senior VP of Communications. GHA, with 800+ hotels in 100 countries, champions gender diversity, with women making up 60% of leadership. New hotel additions in 2025 include Cinnamon Hotels (Sri Lanka), Sunway Hotels (Malaysia), and Rotana Hotels (UAE).

✈️ Auguste Bajorunaite, a former flight attendant for five years, transitioned to Senior Sales Manager at FL Technics, a part of Avia Solutions Group, managing aircraft maintenance. She studied aviation management at Kazimieras Simonavicius University. The aviation maintenance market is witnessing 3-5% annual growth due to post-pandemic recovery. Challenges include rapid decision-making, competitive MRO market, and engineer shortages. Koh Samui, Thailand, is her favorite airport, and she emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and communication skills for success.