Human Resources

🏨 As of Feb 24, 2025, 65% of U.S. hotels face staffing shortages, with employment nearly 10% below pre-pandemic levels. Over 70% have open roles, averaging six to seven per property. Housekeeping and front desk positions are hardest to fill, at 38% and 26% respectively. Hotels are raising wages (47%), offering flexible schedules (20%), discounts (13%), and hosting job fairs (9%) to attract staff. Despite this, 72% of hoteliers see current job prospects as comparable or better than pre-pandemic times.

📌 John McLean appointed as Managing Director of The Stafford Collection after serving as General Manager since May 2024. Holly Landry, VP of Accounting at Practice Hospitality, has over 20 years' financial experience including a prior role at Provenance Hotels. Jillian Loughlin elevated to Director of Commercial Services, and Ana Connolly to Regional Director of Revenue Management at Practice Hospitality. Jose Corraliza joins UMusic Hotels as SVP of Entertainment, with over a decade at Cirque du Soleil. Carolina Voullieme is now Multi-property Director of Sales and Marketing for Marriott International's Aruba and Grand Cayman resorts. Enna Hernández appointed Director of Sales at The Ocean Club, Costa Norte. Ernest Brown becomes Director of Food, Beverage, and Culinary at Hotel Maverick. Michael Brunner named EVP, Credit Investments at Peachtree Group. Adam Zilber to lead as GM at Park Hyatt Los Cabos, opening Q2 in Mexico. Dominique Lorent is the new GM at Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla. Thibaut Asso rejoins Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth as Resort Manager. Javier Gimeno becomes GM of the upcoming Meliá Pattaya. Brock Taylor appointed GM at Monterey Beach Hotel, a Marriott Tribute Portfolio Hotel.

🍴 Bret Thorn, a dedicated food & beverage journalist, has been shaping industry trends since 1999 with Nation’s Restaurant News. He furthered his expertise, joining Restaurant Hospitality in 2016. Thorn's insights won the Jesse H. Neal Award in 2006 and led to his presidency of IFEC in 2005. His academic pursuits include a magna cum laude history degree from Tufts University, a Cordon Bleu culinary certificate, and studies at Peking and Nanjing Universities. Thorn, a native of Denver, now resides in Brooklyn, NY.

🏨 Valerio Duchini appointed CEO of B&B HOTELS for Western Europe, succeeding Marine Charles. Duchini, with 16 years at B&B HOTELS, was instrumental in the brand's international growth and opened the first three American hotels. His mission: consolidate growth and accelerate development in key European markets. Duchini, 52, holds a degree in economics, a master’s in tourism management, and completed Harvard's Advanced Management Program. B&B HOTELS, based in France, is a significant hospitality player.

📌 Candice D'Cruz, Vice President of Luxury Brands at Hilton, was interviewed on the Hospitality Daily Podcast. The interview was published on Feb. 15, 2025, discussing career moves within the hospitality industry.

📖 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor, has been with Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999 and Restaurant Hospitality since 2016. Hosts "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast. Wrote for The New York Sun (2005-2008), Manager magazine, and Asia Times in Thailand (1992-1997). Magna cum laude from Tufts University (1990), studied French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu Paris, and Chinese language/history at Nanjing and Beijing Universities (1988-1989). Won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award, inducted into Disciples d’Escoffier (2014). Lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.

📈 Marriott International appointed Shannon Patterson as SVP, Global Sales, succeeding Tammy Routh; Andy Kauffman as Chief Commercial Officer, U.S. and Canada, replacing Julius Robinson; Gail Frazer as SVP, Sales and Distribution, U.S. and Canada, succeeding Brian Gilligan. Prince A. Sanders became The Wall Street Hotel's General Manager, and Harrison Lipner as Director of Sales and Marketing. Declan Lott rejoined Edwardian Hotels London as VP of Sales, North America. Richie Kavanagh was promoted to VP and GM of The Reef Residences at Atlantis Paradise Island. Caribe Royale Orlando Resort named Bryan Gay as Director of Sales and Marketing. Zsuzsa Nagy was appointed Hotel Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas. Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills' new GM is Tod Chambers; Terra Palm Springs' new GM is Kurt Englund. The Wilde Resort & Spa appointed Tobby Rau as GM. Cheval Collection welcomed Ian James as a GM for two London properties. Nathan Hanner joined Timbri Hotel San Francisco as GM.

🍕 Bret Thorn, Senior Food & Beverage Editor, has been with Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999 and joined Restaurant Hospitality in 2016. He wrote for The New York Sun from 2005 to 2008, and was in Thailand as a journalist from around 1994 to 1997. Thorn's podcast "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" features notable foodservice industry interviews. His education includes a history BA from Tufts University (1990), studying Chinese at Peking University (Spring 1989) and Nanjing University (Fall 1988), as well as French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu (1986). He reported for ABC News during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. Thorn received the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Business Journalism Award and was president of the International Foodservice Editorial Council (IFEC) in 2005. Inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014, Thorn resides in Brooklyn, NY. Contact him at [email protected] and follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.