Human Resources

🏥 John McLean was promoted to Managing Director of the Stafford Collection on April 29, 2025, after serving as General Manager since May 2024. He oversees The Stafford London, Northcote with its Michelin star restaurant, and Norma in Fitzrovia. McLean has over 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality, previously holding leadership roles at The Cadogan Hotel, Brown's Hotel London, and The Lanesborough. He is a Springboard Ambassador, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, and the Institute of Hospitality in the UK, and has led teams to earn the Forbes Five Star Award.

💰 Hospitality Ventures Management Group (HVMG) appoints Gary Kunesh as CFO, tasked with overseeing accounting, financial reporting, tax, risk management, and tech functions. With 30+ years in hospitality, Kunesh previously held VP roles at White Lodging Services and was Finance Director of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort, a $150M operation. Hilton names Randy Morton as GM of Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, with a history including COO of Bellagio Resort & Casino and roles at Four Seasons. W Punta Cana, the first all-inclusive W Hotels resort, appoints Omar Rivera as GM. The St. Regis Washington, D.C. promotes Alaina Sweeney to GM post-renovation in 2024. InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel appoints Savannah Seaman as marketing director; The Westin Cape Coral Resort promotes Susan Cecere David to senior sales executive. Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront appoints Rocco LaFronza as operations director. Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, opening May 15 near San Diego, introduces Scott Siebert as GM, Joy Lynch as group sales director, and Russ Mitchell as sales and marketing director.

🏨 Meyer Jabara Hotels and Pappas Hotels acquired Courtyard by Marriott Clemson, located over a mile from Clemson University, South Carolina. It's their second joint property and the fourth in South Carolina for Meyer Jabara. Renovations are slated for summer, focusing on flooring, The Bistro, lobby, and meeting areas expansion. This will be Meyer Jabara's 15th Marriott-managed property. The hotel, at 201 Canoy Lane, boasts an outdoor pool, fitness center, restaurant, and 24-hour Market, catering especially to corporate clients near the university. The area houses over 29,000 Clemson students, making the hotel a prime spot for visitors. Renovations aim to modernize and enhance the guest experience, ensuring its status as a top accommodation choice.

🏨 Kempinski Hotels and BTG Hotels Group continue a partnership over 20 years, strengthening their luxury and lifestyle presence in China with a multi-year investment plan. The collaboration will grow Kempinski’s Chinese heritage hotel portfolio, launch a new lifestyle brand targeting 200 hotels in five years, and expand the NUO and Bristoria brands. Key Co., a joint venture company established in 2001, manages 22 hotels. Kempinski first entered China in 1992 and extended their agreement with BTG Hotels in 2018 for another 50 years. The growth strategy is part of Kempinski's global initiative to regain market leadership and reposition its brand.

🏨 Hotel Equities named Greg O’Stean as chief development officer and promoted Joe Reardon to vice chairman. Eric Habermann, COO of Pyramid Global Hospitality, retires after seven years; Isaac Hicks succeeds him. Resolute Road Hospitality added Doug Ableman as regional VP of operations and Kent Duncan as VP of revenue management. Rosewood Mandarina, opening May 15th in Mexico, announces leadership team with Juan Carlos Cardona Aquino as managing director. Schulte Hospitality Group appointed Anne Fischer as chief marketing officer, and Wayfinder Waikiki named Scott Kawasaki as director of sales & marketing. Remington Hospitality hired Charlene Nigaglioni-Gang as VP of sales, CALA. The Hythe in Vail appointed Tracy Stoltz as general manager, and The Roosevelt New Orleans selected Sebastian Stutz as general manager.