Human Resources

🍴 Bret Thorn, a senior food & beverage editor, has been with Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999. He held a column at The New York Sun from 2005-2008. Thorn also joined Restaurant Hospitality in 2016. A Tufts University alumnus, he studied at Le Cordon Bleu and Nanjing and Beijing Universities. In 1989, he worked for ABC News in Beijing. Thorn's accolades include a 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. He resides in Brooklyn, NY.

🏠 Paul Roberts, previously CFO, now COO; Matthew Ward appointed as CFO; Jon Davis as CTO at Village Hotel Club. These leadership changes support a growth strategy involving a £82 million refurbishment programme to upgrade existing UK assets. CEO Gary Davis aims to enhance guest experiences and expand the brand by acquiring and transforming new sites. The focus is on operational excellence and evolving the customer proposition.

🏨 Macdonald Pittodrie House, near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, is a historic luxury hotel set in 300 acres, popular for weddings. Recent months show increased wedding bookings. Julie Hutchison, with over a decade's experience, became manager in April 2025. The hotel hosts weddings for up to 100 guests in its ballroom, offering bespoke options. The venue is renowned for its award-winning service and picturesque setting, enhancing its reputation as a prime leisure destination.

🏖️ METT Hotel & Beach Resort Marbella appoints Ignacio Gomez-Escolar as General Manager. With over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience, Ignacio has previously served as General Manager at Hard Rock Hotel Marbella and held leadership roles at St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort, InterContinental Bahrain, Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, and Rio Perdido. He aims to position METT Hotel as a leading resort on Costa Del Sol, which boasts 249 rooms and suites, Azure Beach Club, MOI spa, RAISE fitness gym, and four restaurants.

🍴 Lisa Goodwin-Allen appointed as Culinary Director at The Beaumont Mayfair, joining CEO Stuart Procter and Executive Chef Brendan Fyldes. They will oversee the hotel's food offerings, including ROSI, a new restaurant opening in autumn. Goodwin-Allen, celebrating a 23-year Michelin Star tenure at Northcote, Lancashire, also heads the Northcote: Obsession Food Festival. She contributes to hospitality through mentoring and as Chair of Judges for Craft Guild of Chefs Young National Chef of the Year, alongside TV appearances on shows like MasterChef.

🏠 In Greenwood Village, Colorado, on April 30, 2025, CoralTree Residence Collection expanded to manage roughly 175 vacation residences at Wild Dunes Resort on Charleston's Isle of Palms. These properties encompass private homes, oceanfront condos, golf retreats, and cottages. Wild Dunes Resort offers 1,600 acres of amenities, including beach access, pools, dining outlets, golf courses, tennis courts, a spa, and more. CoralTree's portfolio surpasses 1,040 residences and 26 homeowners associations, spanning from South Carolina to Hawaii and Colorado's mountain regions. Their management emphasizes personalized experiences, homeowner care, and a homeowner and guest-centric approach.

🏦 In Rockville, Maryland, on April 29, 2025, Arch Amenities Group announced new executive appointments: Jessica Heger Michalak as Senior VP of Operations, Stefanie Chenok as Senior VP of Human Resources, and John Toman as VP of Information Technology. Michalak previously worked at OneSpaWorld and as an executive consultant; Chenok led HR at 24 Hour Fitness and held roles at Banana Republic and Target Corp., earning a B.S. from Oklahoma City University. Toman, with a B.S. from the University of Maryland and an M.S. from The George Washington University, previously led tech at Edlio. The CEO of Arch, Caitlin McKenna, highlighted the trio's roles in the company's goal to become the leading provider in its service categories.