Human Resources

💸 Sunnyvale, CA, June 5, 2025 – LodgIQ appoints Alexandra Woolsey as Vice President of Business Development to drive global expansion of AI-powered revenue management in the hospitality industry. Woolsey, with a decade of experience at Groupon and Amadeus, will lead efforts to optimize digital strategies for hotel brands. LodgIQ, headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices in NYC and Bangalore, serves over 550 hotels, offering advanced machine learning solutions for smarter revenue decisions.

📋 Worldwide: Preferred Travel Group appointed Philipp Weghmann as Chief Development Officer (CDO) and President of Beyond Green. Weghmann, with over 20 years in hospitality, previously led The Luxury Collection at Marriott. Beyond Green was acquired by PTG in 2020. He will drive PTG’s global development and oversee the Integrated Quality Assurance and Alliance Partner programs. CEO Lindsay Ueberroth emphasizes his role in aligning PTG's growth with sustainable hospitality goals.

💻 James Filsinger is appointed CEO of VENZA, succeeding Jeff Venza, who becomes Chairman of the Board. Filsinger, formerly of Ponterra, has 20+ years of hospitality tech leadership, including a 35x revenue rise at Yapta and managing $2.5 billion in transactions at Moneydirect. VENZA aims for innovation and client impact under his leadership, focusing on strategic acquisitions for growth. VENZA continues its commitment to cybersecurity and data protection in the hospitality industry.

💻 VENZA, a cybersecurity provider for the hospitality industry, has appointed James Filsinger as CEO. Filsinger, formerly of Ponterra Business Advisors, succeeds Jeff Venza, who becomes Chairman of the Board. Filsinger's past achievements include leading Yapta to a 35x revenue increase and managing $2.5 billion in transactions at Moneydirect. His expertise in mergers and acquisitions and leadership will bolster VENZA's growth, innovation, and client impact.

💻 James Filsinger appointed CEO of VENZA, effective immediately. VENZA, a cybersecurity provider in the hospitality industry, aims to enhance innovation and client impact. Filsinger brings over 20 years of experience, previously leading companies like Yapta and EZYield.com. Former CEO Jeff Venza becomes Chairman. Filsinger plans strategic acquisitions to boost VENZA's capabilities, previously driving a 35x revenue increase at Yapta and managing $2.5 billion in transactions at Moneydirect. VENZA's growth remains aligned with its core values.

💻 James Filsinger has been appointed CEO of VENZA, a cybersecurity and data protection firm for the hospitality industry. He takes over from Jeff Venza, now Chairman of the Board. Filsinger previously led Yapta, achieving a 35x revenue boost and served over 8,300 enterprise clients. He managed over $2.5 billion in transactions at Moneydirect. His focus at VENZA will be strategic acquisitions and driving innovation, aligning with VENZA’s values and growth strategy.

🏖 Ennismore is expanding in the Americas with new hotel projects in Mexico and the U.S. Mama Shelter Mexico City opens in late 2025 with 100 rooms. Hyde Mexico City launches this year with 215 rooms, and The Hoxton follows in 2028 with 80 rooms. Delano East Cape in Los Cabos opens in 2029 with 117 rooms and 60 residences. In Miami, Balfour Miami Beach joins the Morgans Originals collection, and Delano Miami Beach reopens in late 2025 with 171 rooms. Ennismore plans six all-inclusive resorts in Mexico.

📁 Anthony Ingham is appointed as COO of Rosewood Hotel Group, effective 1 September 2025, while Luca Finardi becomes VP Operations EMEAC, starting 1 June 2025. Ingham will lead global operations, reporting to CEO Sonia Cheng, after experience with Marriott and The Hong Kong Jockey Club. Finardi, previously at Mandarin Oriental, will manage operations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean Atlantic, reporting to Ingham and focusing on operational excellence and brand consistency.

🍴 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.